Bylakuppe, the second largest Tibetan settlement in the world after Dharmshala is about 47 km from Madikeri, Kodagu/Coorg and 85 km from Mysore, Karnataka. It’s a Tibetan world by itself in India, with Tibetan flags fluttering in the breeze and Tibetan monks walking about. Bylakuppe is a home to over 70,000 Tibetans, who took refuge in Karnataka, India after the Chinese took over Tibet. Bylakuppe is famous for the Namdroling monastery, which attracts a good number of tourists who visit Coorg/Kodagu. Over a period of time it has become one of the important sightseeing places in Coorg/Kodagu.
Bylakuppe, a hot spot for tourists
Bylakuppe hosts several agricultural settlements, colonies that are huddled together and monasteries and temples in almost all Buddhist traditions. It is a hot-spot for tourists with a lot of scope for photography. It exudes peace amidst the flocking tourists, who wish to have a bird’s-eye view of the place and its activities.
Buddhist Monasteries in Bylakuppe
The most noteworthy amongst the Buddhist monasteries and study centres of Bylakuppe include
- Namdroling Monastery or the Golden Temple
- Drigung Kagyud Monastery
- Sakya Monastery
- Sera je Monastery
- Sera Mey Monastery
- Tashi Lhunpo Monastery
Namdroling Monastery or the Golden Temple, Bylakuppe
Of all the monasteries, Namdroling monastery or otherwise called the Golden temple is the most popular one and a hot spot amongst tourists. His Holiness the 3rd Drubwang Pema Norbu Rinpoche (1932-2009) founded the Namdroling Monastery in 1963. His Holiness the Dalai consecrated it and gave the name Namdroling. Namdroling monastery gets its name as the Golden temple, owing to the ornate golden paintings which adorn the monastery. Namdroling monastery, the largest religious and learning centre of the Nyingma lineage of Tibetan Buddhism, is also one of the ten largest Buddhist monasteries in India.
The Namdroling monastery houses the towering statues of Buddha Padmasambhava, Buddha Amitayus and Buddha Shakyamuni. Spellbinding Tibetan murals adorn the walls of the monastery, which depicts Tibetan mythology. There are about 1300 small prayer wheels and 19 large ones in the Namdroling monastery, which when turned in the clockwise direction with prayers chanted is a way of worship in the Buddhist monasteries. It is a common sight to see the monks turn the prayer wheels in the Namdroling monastery. The Namdroling Monastery in Bylakuppe is a must visit when you holiday in Kodagu/Coorg.
Things to do in Bylakuppe
- Shop in the Camp 1 Market for clothes, Tibetan artefacts, shoes, jewellery, souvenirs etc. You can also shop for incense sticks and carpets that are made in Bylakuppe.
- Shop in the Tibetan shopping centre.
- Visit the Namdroling Monastery or the Golden temple and the other monasteries.
- Pay a visit to Nisargadhama Island which is just 14.1 km
- Pay a visit to the Dubare Elephant camp, which is only about 26 km
- Pay a visit to Chiklihole Reservoir, which is just about 25 km
Best time to visit Bylakuppe
The best time to visit Bylakuppe is from September – March when the weather is pleasant. It is also ideal to visit Bylakuppe during the Tibetan New Year festival called Lhosar, which falls between February and March to take part in the celebrations.
How to reach Bylakuppe
By Air
The closest domestic airport to Bylakuppe is Mysore, which is about 97 km. Bangalore is the biggest and the closest international airport, which is about 260 km. One can hire a cab or take a bus to reach Bylakuppe from the respective airport.
By Rail
The nearest railway station is Mysore Junction, which is 83 km away from Bylakuppe. KSRTC buses are available there to take one to Bylakuppe. Private buses and taxis are also available.
By Road
Bylakuppe is well connected by road with the rest of Karnataka and the other neighbouring states. The state-run and private buses are available from all the major cities of Karnataka. However, the ideal way to enjoy the scenic landscapes en route to Bylakuppe is to drive down or hire a cab.
Sightseeing in and around Bylakuppe
