Bylakuppe Tibetan Golden Temple

The Tiny Tibetan colony in Coorg is an ideal escape from the hustle and bustle of city life. The enclosed calm and the spiritual ambiance of the place welcomes all the visitors. The Namdroling Monastery, popularly referred to as ‘The Golden Temple’ is one of the largest Tibetan settlements in India. Located in Bylakuppe, about 5 kms from Kushalanagara in Kodagu district.This Place is one of the largest Tibetan settlements in India. The Golden Temple complex is home to about 16000 refugees and 600 monks .  This Tibetan settlement at Bail Koppa or Bylakuppe is the second largest Tibetan settlement outside Tibet.

 

Namdroling Nyingmapa Monastery, popularly known as the Golden Temple is a Tibetan Monastery in India. It is the largest teaching centre of Nyingma lineage (One of the four schools of Tibetan Bhuddhism). The actual name of the temple is Padmasambhava Bhuddist Vihara, an exquisite Golden Temple, constructed as per Tibetan tradition and architecture. Namdroling Monastery’s main entrance is an attractive four story tower with a wheel portraying symbols of Buddhism  and One of the must visit places in Mysuru.

 

The Golden Temple’s Architecture in Coorg

Walked through this ground and entered the campus of the Temple. Words cannot simply express what we saw in our front. Just watch what we saw from a distance.

 

A large archway leads to a lovely garden with groomed grass on either side, which approaches the temple’s entrance. The Monastery’s entryway has a giant picture of the founder, Norbu Pema Rinpoche. The entry is a glittering golden and vivid blue construction with an enormous arch and little figurines. These sculptures are said to be Buddha’s messengers. A massive ornate bell with carved lettering is there just before the gate.

 

The road leads to the temple’s entryway and a fountain. Three ornately carved & decorated entrances surround the temple’s entryway. A spacious corridor with columns leads to the altar, which houses three golden sculptures. The walls are entirely decorated with bright traditional Tibetan murals. The Monastery & temple are constructed in traditional Tibetan architecture and are stunning examples of Tibetan craftsmanship.

 

 

The color, the complexity of the design, the symmetry, the beautiful lawns on both sides, the superb pathway leading to the temple and even the fencing was looking beautiful. We walked ahead without talking our eye out of this marvellous work.

The Golden Temple’s Three Statues

The Golden Shrine comes from three gigantic gold-plated sculptures inside the vast temple. The sculpture in the center represents the founder of Buddhism, 

 

In the main prayer hall three golden tinted statues of saints Three sculptures of Lord Buddha, namely, Padma Sambhav, Buddha Sakyamuni & Buddha Amitayus, have been housed at this Monastery; these sculptures are 40 feet tall. The exterior walls surrounding the Golden Temple Coorg’s entryway are covered with massive multicolour paintings. 

The doors are painted crimson and feature enormous gold knockers The Sacrosanctum is adorned with flowers, candles and incense sticks. It is a beautiful sight to see. Although you may not be allowed to enter this area.. The Monastery’s walls are entirely constructed in Tibetan style.

 

Having darshan of these statues, venerating, circumambulations and making offerings to them generates faith, peace, wisdom, loving kindness and compassion in our minds and cleanses unwholesome thoughts and actions.

 

The Three Jewels temple ambiance, silence, and the wonderful music brings inner peace to the mind of the devotees. People are free to practice their religion and worship as per their religion in silence without distraction to others around. As we sit for meditation, an inner silence sets in, uplifting our spirit with bounty of overwhelming joyous moments.

 

The serene atmosphere of the place takes you to another world. There are so many shopping centres in and around the monastery where you will get traditional Tibetan items

Golden Temple visiting time: The Temple is open for visitors from 9 AM till 6 PM

Distance (From Coorg): 34 Kms

Trip Duration (Including Travel): 2-3 Hours

Place Location: Near Kushalnagar

Transportation Options: Bus / Cab

Travel Tips: Cauvery Nisargadhama is about 7 Kms from Golden Temple and can be visited together

 

Kaveri Nisargadhama-Mysore Coorg Trip- day-3

Saturday earlyMorning we left from Mysore and start our journey to Coorg. On the way we first visited Kaveri Nisargadhama.

 

Nisargadhama is a series of small and large islands on the Cauvery river near to Kushalnagar town in Coorg district of Karnataka. There are many shallow portions of the river through which one can just walk through. The 64-acre island, surrounded by the Cauvery river, can be accessed by walking across a hanging bridge. 

 

Established in 1989, the picturesque picnic spot with lush foliage of thick bamboo groves, sandalwood and teak trees has lovely river-side cottages.River kaveri here bifurcates and flows on both sides of the island. 

 

This island has attractions including Boating, Elephant Rides, Swimming in selected places in Kaveri River in summer season (Prohibited in Monsoon), Hanging Bridge is the famous attraction here which connects to the island, Bamboo house, and rare birds. The walk across the Hanging Rope Bridge to reach Nisargadhama is an absolute delight. The bridge connects the mainland to Nisargadhama. 

 

It is a treat to our eyes with thick bamboo groves, sandalwood and teak trees surrounded by river Kaveri. You will also get to spot rabbits and peacocks and small reserved area for Deer’s in the forest.

 

A short walk from this bamboo house and we reached the Kaveri river smoothly flowing across grazing the rocks and tempting all of us to lay our feet on it. All of us stepped into the river. The bottom profile was rocky and hence sligtly slippery, but there was no depth at all. Moved to the centre point and the view was amazing. Sat on one of the rocks in the middle and this is what you get to see in your front.

 

The two trees bending over seemed to enhance the total ambience. Undoubtedly this is the most beautiful location of the whole island. We sat there for almost an hour enjoying the water gushing through our feets

There is also facility for tourists to move around the river through pedalled boats in a limited area by paying a prescribed For those who would like to stay overnight in the Nisargadhama, there are a few cottages available in the forest park where they can spend a peaceful night in the Nature’s lap. This is the place for wide forest who looking for relax within natural beauty and there are many gaming facilities arranged for kids, really worth to visit this place.

 

Name of Place: 

Kaveri Nisargadhama

Location:

80 kms from Mysore in the Mysore - Madikeri Highway.

30 kms from Madikeri, in the Mysore route

Travel plan:

Check out this place on your way to Madikeri, if you are coming from Bangalore. This is just after Kushal Nagar. Easy to miss the board. Hence keep an eye on the left side after Kushal Nagar.

Time needed for a visit:

Ideally you can spend one full day here. A minimum of 3 hours is needed.

Hotel:

Food is available inside the island and also there is restaurant near the parking lot

Stay;

There is a govt owned guest house in the island. Else opt for a stay in Madikeri - the hill station in Coorg.

 Slowly we started our journey to the next location - The Golden Temple at Kushal Nagar (To be continued in next Part.

Jaishree Iyer