Some Scenic Touristy Buddhist Places In India

2008-08-29T03:01:00.000-07:00

Bylakuppe - Karnataka

Of the two places in India, provided by the Indian government to help the Tibetans, who had to flee their homeland - Tibet, after brutal Chinese annexation and oppression in March 1959, this is one.

The other one is Dharamshala in Himachal Pradesh and you can read about it in my other blog:

A sunny winter morning at McLeodganj

Bylakuppe is a small Tibetan refugees establishment in west of Mysore district, near to the Kushalnagar town of Kodagu district in the state of Karnataka, India.

It has quite a few beautiful monasteries that have the art work completely restored as found in Tibetan monasteries.

This is an important place, culturally rich and is one of the two biggest Tibetan settlements in India. In spite of the destruction of hundereds of monasteries in Tibet by the Chinese, the people here, with the help of Indian government, have constructed some very beautiful monasteries inspired by the ones in Tibet.

The religion founded on compassion and peace is strongly preserved, followed and passed on to the next generation in this small town.

This place is not having any major shopping complexes, or cinema halls and falls on the country-side, en-route to a place called Coorg from the famous city of Bangalore.

Banglaore is also known as silicon-valley of India (and Bangalored is a word in the English dictionary too).

and is a convenient place to start from, for the first time visitor.

Bylakuppe is connected well by road with other major cities as well.

The monasteries that a tourist must visit here are:

1. Namdroling , popularly known as the Golden Temple.

2. Sera Je

3. Sacha

Namdroling Monastery

This monastery is the major attraction here. It is a prominent seat of education, run by the Nyingmapa lineage.

It houses three magnificent statues of incarnations of Buddha in an auditorium.

The monastery is home to nearly 5000 monks and nuns, and is the largest Nyigmapa lineage monastery.

The name 'Namdroling' was given by His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

Sera Je Monastery

This is a complete re-establishment of the Sera Je monastery (which is actually a university, of the two Sera Je and Sera Me) that was originally established in 1419 in Lhasa, the capital of Tibet, currently under the Chinese annexation and damaged.

The re-establishment of this Buddhist university is to offer the finest of education on Buddhism to the Tibetans in-exile.

It is a big beautiful monastery, and has a significant student population.

The language spoken in the university is Tibetan, and the rich Tibetan culture and Buddhist knowledge-base on ancient scriptures is carefully preserved and promoted here. English is also taught here.

A normal day of learning for the students starts at 5 a.m. and may continue upto 9 p.m. or longer.

Accommodation for Visitors
The accommodation for visitors here is very simple and basic, and also very affiordable.
There is a small guest house called 'Paljor Dhargey Ling Guest House', managed by the monks, right opposite the entrance to the Namdroling monastery. the guest house can be contacted over the phone at: 91-8223-258686.

It is in a building that houses a small shopping complex. The rooms on the top floor serve as accomodation for the tourists. There are timings for hot water in the morning.

There is ample cemented parking space on the back side of the guest house.

The monasteries here also organize courses for those tourists seriously interested in Buddhism.

International Tourists

Visitors, not citizens of India, must fulfill the conditions required by law before visiting Bylakuppe as it is a "Protected Area".

A 'Protected Area Permit' must be obtained by all tourists, as required by law.

Reaching Bylakuppe from Bangalore

Distance from Bangalore : 225 km
(approximately)

Average driving time : 5 Hrs

Preferred Route:
Bangalore - Mysore - Hunsur
Periyapatana - Kushalnagar - Bylakuppe

Distances:
Bangalore - Mysore : 140 Km
Mysore to Kushalnagar : 80 Km
Kushalnagar to Bylakuppe : 4 Km

Road Condition:

Bangalore to Mysore the connectivity is quite good due to the Bangalore-Mysore Expressway.

From Hunsur onwards the roads are not in good condition at various places and it is advised that during rains, the drivers must exercise extra caution in this region as the roads get washed out easily making way for pot holes.

In any case, a slow and steady drive in areas after Hunsur is quite enjoyable due to the greenery and fresh air.

Transportation:
It is best to drive in your own vehicle.

The other economical option is using Karnataka state transport (KSRTC) buses.

Not sure how good the bus service is but I think from Kushalnagar, a traveler needs to get an autorickshaw to reach the Tibetan settlement that is around 4 or 5 Kms.

Hiring a cab from Bangalore is comparatively more expensive option but useful if you want to travel around locally inside Bylakuppe.

Since the ride may be bumpy for small stretches, it would be better to hire a comfortable vehicle like Chevrolet Tavera, or Toyota Innova, specially if travelling in a group.

Where else to go, nearby?
1. Madikeri, Coorg

Kushalnagar is on the way to a quiet and laiback hillstation called Coorg (Kodagu District). Madikeri, the main town there, is about 35 Kms from Kushalnagar. There are a few waterfalls there, and accomodation is quite basic.

2. Rajiv Gandhi National Park, Nagarahole.

This is a beautiful green and peaceful national park where one can go and enjoy wildlife safaris. You will be very lucky to spot a tiger as it is so rare that people wonder if there are any tigers left. Deer is the only animal that is most certainly to be sighted otherwise the list of animals that are part of this forest reserve is quite impressive including leopards and tigers.

Religion, Science or Philosophy? Explore other blogs ...

1. Another Tibetan establishment in India : http://nowrojee.blogspot.com/
2. In Spite of the Gods (Text Book Gods) : http://textbookgods.blogspot.com/
3. The Legend of the Hindu Goddess Durga : http://thelegendofdurga.blogspot.com/

Recommended Resources On Tibet and Buddhism

Movies

The Cup [Phörpa] (1999)
A Song for Tibet (1991)
Kundun (1997)
Tibet: Cry of the Snow Lion (2002)
Seven Years in Tibet (1997)
Windhorse (1998)
Little Buddha (1993)
Milarepa (2006)

Reading Material
The Book by Geshe Michael Roach
Asian Classics Institute Online Courses

Some Touristy Buddhist Places In India

Some Scenic Touristy Buddhist Places In India