The Namdroling Monastery, often called the 'Golden Temple Coorg', showcases stunning Tibetan architecture and art. The temple tower was exquisitely decorated, and the outer walls were covered with elaborate paintings. Namdroling Monastery is located 34.7 km from Coorg and is the biggest teaching center for the Nyingmapa School of Tibetan Buddhism.
It measures 80 square feet. To build it, Indian Government provided bamboo to Tibetans in exile. Today, it has many extra buildings like schools and a hospital, and it is home to around 5,000 people of the Sangha group, making it one of the must-visit places to visit in Coorg.
What is special about the Golden Temple Coorg?
The Golden Temple in Coorg, or Namdroling Monastery, is famous for its beautiful Tibetan culture, impressive design, and calm environment. It is among one of the largest Tibetan monasteries in India, being home to over 5,000 monks and nuns.
The temple includes panoramic gold statues of the Buddha, beautiful wall paintings depicting Buddhist teaching, and excellent decorative art in the Tibetan style. Visitors to the temple will enjoy a peaceful atmosphere, see some traditional events, and stroll in the beautiful landscape of the temple. If you have a bend towards spirituality, art, or Tibetan culture, a trip to the Golden Temple is worthwhile.
Which God is in the Golden Temple Coorg?
A four-story tower with a Buddhist wheel welcomes visitors to Namdroling Monastery in Coorg. The central Buddha statue and opposite Amitayus and Padmasambhava statues are the temple's principal attractions. Visitors can worship, contemplate, offer, and spin Mani prayer drums. People believe rotating these prayer drums while chanting "Om Mani Padme Hum" is beneficial.
The architecture of the Golden Temple Coorg
Though little from the exterior, the monastery is immense inside. There are three 40-foot Buddha statues: Padmasambhava, Buddha, and Amitayus. The marble floor is usually carpeted. Temple visitors can burn incense and sit on the carpet to enhance the spiritual atmosphere.
Wall murals portray Buddha's life stages. Some show Tibetan gods and monsters. The Namdroling Monastery in Coorg features sacred scriptures, horns, trumpets, incense sticks, bells, prayer beads, wheels, flags, drums, and more.
Visitors must be quiet to enable the monks to contemplate. It is called the Golden Temple because of its gold sculptures. Buddha's statue is 60 feet tall, Guru Padmasambhava's and Amitayur's statues are 58 feet tall.
Placards at the entry state that there are sculptures of sacred books and little clay stupas representing the Buddhas' body, mind, and speech. Their adherents believe that worshiping these symbols and making sacrifices restores faith and brings calm, compassion, and insight.
What is the story behind the Golden Temple Coorg?
Namdroling Monastery's full name is Thegchog Namdrol Shedrub Daryeling. His Holiness Pema Norbu Rinpoche, the 11th leader of the Palyul Lineage of the Nyingma School of Tibetan Buddhism, established the beautiful temple in 1963 after leaving Tibet.
He made the first building from bamboo, and it covered 80 square feet in size. The temple now has an 80 square meter space because the Indian government generously gave the land to Tibetan refugees who moved there.
Inside, you can see the impressive 40-foot-tall golden statues of Guru Padmasambhava, Buddha Sakyamuni, and Amityaus, along with beautiful paintings depicting different parts of Tibetan Buddhist stories. The monks' prayer practices are a special experience you shouldn't miss. The neatly kept grounds around the place enhance its peaceful feeling.
Festivals at the Golden Temple Coorg
In February/March, visitors celebrate the Tibetan New Year with great excitement at Namdroling Monastery, one of several annual rituals. Monks regard June as an important month in the Tibetan calendar because they believe Buddha attained enlightenment on June 15 (Saga Dawa Dhuechen). The 10th and 15th days are Dhuechen, while the fourth Tibetan lunar month is Saga Dawa. Many visitors explore these celebrations as part of Coorg tour packages to experience the region's rich culture and traditions.
Losar Cham, the lama dance, is performed. Monks stand and move about during the event while others sit in rows. Instead of singing, these monks sell food in plastic bags in plastic boxes. Potato snacks, watermelon slices, packaged water, and cold beverages are available. Few monks stroll on the sides, and those that sit bring food or drink. This event teaches the 'act of consuming' and 'act of restraint.'
How to reach the Golden Temple Coorg?
By train: Catch a train to Krishnarajanagar, which is the nearest stop to Namdroling Monastery. You can catch a train from KSR Bengaluru and get off at Krishnarajanagar. From there, you might as well take a taxi to reach there.
Namdroling Monastery by road: cabs and buses. Buses go straight from Bengaluru to Namdroling Monastery.
For those opting for the bus, Bangalore represents the best starting-off point to reach Namdroling Monastery. The bus terminus close to Namdroling Monastery is readily accessible in Bangalore.
One must get onto a bus from Bengaluru to Kushal Nagar, followed by a taxi call to take them to Namdroling Monastery.
