Bylakuppe, Coorg 

Visitor Information

• Famous for: Tibetan settlements, spiritual seekers, tourism, Buddhist monastery
• Tourism Cost: Approximately INR 7000- 8000 per person for an adult. It is a moderately priced place for touring.
• Visiting Time: The monasteries open from approximately 8 am in the morning and closes by 7 pm.
• Visit Duration: Approximately two to three hours. If you want to attend a special ritual at the monastery, you need to enquire at the shrine and stay the specific timing.

The second largest Tibetan settlement in India after the holy Dharamshala, Bylakuppe is in Mysore, Karnataka.  An amalgamation of twenty villages turned into a small town, this heritage destination is a favorite among spiritual seekers and healers. Its twin town Kushalnagara is located at a distance of just 6 kilometers from it.

Traveller Tips

• There is more to Bylakuppe than the Golden Temple. Do not forget to venture the entire town for enjoying the mysticism and indulging in the Buddhist spirit.
• The Namdroling monastery stays open from 7am to 8pm.
• If you believe in the power of Buddhism, do not forget to rotate the prayer wheels that surround the Namdroling monastery compound.
• Do not hurry upon your visit here, as the charm of this place lies in the slow pace of self- discovery.
• If you want to learn Buddhist mantras and prayers, spend a considerable amount of time in the monastery.
• Do not touch the statues and other sacred objects inside monasteries.
• Walk in bare-foot into the monasteries as a sign of respect. Do not carry your shoes upon you while entering the monasteries.
• The restaurants in the area close by 8 pm so do not wait till midnight to satiate the hunger pangs.

Things to Do

• If you want detailed information about the special rituals in the Namdroling monastery you can visit the monastery and enquire about the same. One can even learn to chant the Buddhist shlokas, prayers and chants upon staying here.
• The major attractions in the monastery are the Golden Temple, silver and giant red prayer wheels and a row of white pagodas.
• One can even roam about the Tibetan settlements and bask in the rustic glory of the same.
• Shopping from stalls near monasteries selling handicrafts.
• Traveler can even visit the Deer Park and ponder inside the forest.
• There are lush cultivation lands and orchard gardens for feeling one with nature and rejuvenation of the body, mind and soul.

Availability of Guides

There are local guides who can readily show tourists around the town while shedding light on the glorious history of the antique town. The natives of this town too are helpful and sometimes even more useful than the guides themselves.

Best Time to Visit

Anytime is a good time to visit this moderately pleasant weathered town. However, a maximum rush of tourists and travelers are witnessed around February to April as a summer vacation destination. August to November witnesses the second round of tourists, those who enjoy the chilly breeze and winter nights. The town is however best avoided during rainy season months that is, the period between June and July and in the extreme December and January due to the bone chilling cold.

How to Reach

Bylakuppe, Coorg is well connected to major cities of the Indian subcontinent like Mysore, Bangalore and Mangalore. One can travel to Bylakuppe from these cities by road as it is situated on the NH 275. Those availing the flight can land at the international airport in Mangalore, the closest airport to Bylakuppe and travel by road thereon. Those travelling by train can drop down at the Mysore railway junction.

Interesting Facts and Trivia about Bylakuppe, Coorg

• The Namdroling Nyingmapa Monastery is the biggest showing focus of the Nyingma ancestry of Tibetan Buddhism in the world.
• A 60-ft golden statue of the Buddha is present in the Namdroling monastery which is considered to holy and sacred.
• The Bylakuppe Tibetan settlement has about 70,000 Tibetan inhabitants.
• Bylakuppe, the little Tibet in India flaunts an admirable number of cultivable settlements and colonies, spaced at equivalent distances throughout the town. The monasteries and temples here are reflective of the Buddhist traditions and ritualistic practices in its truest form.
• The antique Tibetan colony flaunts a number of monasteries which also serve as Tibetan educational institutions where the children as well a few adults come in to receive lessons of Buddhism and its teachings. These monasteries include the likes of Drigung Kagyud Monastery, Sakya Monastery, Sera Mey Monastery, Tashi Lhunpo Monastery and Sera Je Monastery.
• The Tashi Lhunpo monastery was inaugurated by the Dalai Lama in 2016.

Nearby Attractions

• Cauvery Nisargadhama
• Madikeri
• Kushalanagar
• Dubare Elephant Camp

Nearby Restaurants

• Olive Restaurant
• Namdroling Monastery Restaurant

If you are planning to visit Bylakuppe in the future, remember to go through this complete guide for a hassle free and fulfilling trip. Also, do not hurry about upon reaching this place as strolling and venturing about this area can bring about that much needed peace of mind. Bylakuppe is known to have a therapeutic effect on its visitors, so go book your tickets and plan your hotel stay before it is too late. Happy journey!