Namdroling Monastery – Golden Temple

The largest Tibetan settlement outside of Tibet is at Bylakuppe in Coorg District. It is located near Mysore, Karnataka State of India. The Namdroling Monastery, also known as Golden Temple, is situated here. The work on the pagoda of the Monastery is amazing. The 3 gigantic golden idols measuring 18 meters in height in the Golden Temple takes one’s breath away.

His Holiness Pema Norbu Rinpoche established the Monastery in 1963. It has now grown into a full-fledged town housing the largest Tibetan population outside of Dharamsala in India.

It is the largest teaching center of Nyingmapa – a lineage of Tibetan Buddhism. There are around 5000 monks & nuns propagating the teachings of Buddha. The name “Namdroling” was conferred by His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

A long, leisurely visit to the Namdroling monastery would take up almost half a day, though Bylakuppe has more to offer in terms of places to see. If adventure and thrill is what you seek, Bylakuppe might not be the best place for you to visit. If what you desire is a quiet, peaceful time with the right blend of spirituality, nature and some picturesque landscape, go there already!