From Magnolia Resort, Coorg, I was on my way back to Mysuru Jn to catch my train. I was told, a small diversion on the way could take me to Bylakuppe Monastery and I wanted to go there. So I set off at 9:45AM for my 2:00PM train. But only as I went I came to know it is not a small diversion but a major 33km re-routing! It was definitely a bad idea. I should have started atleast at 7AM if I wanted to cover Bylakuppe.... Bad planning!!! Anyways, from this route, there was no turning back, I had to take the route via Kushal Nagar anyways to reach Mysuru from where Bylakuppe is hardly 2km. This route took more than 1 hr extra than the usual route from Virajpet to Mysore which takes about 2 to 2.5hrs.
Finally I reached the monastery. It’s called the Namdroling Monastery. Its also called the Golden Temple and the locals (taxi & auto drivers esp) call the place so. When I was first told Golden Temple by the driver I wasn’t even sure if we were referring to the same place!!!
The Monastery was established by His Holiness Pema Norbu Rinpoche in 1963. It’s primarily an educational institute where Buddhist Teachings are taught towards monkhood. Men from all over the world come here to complete their Buddhist education here. I met a monk from Bhutan who was worriedly inquiring me about the health of Ms.J.Jayalalitha when I said I was on my way to Chennai (well, this happened exactly on the day she passed away!!!).
The parking is opposite to the main gate. Passing through this, its more like an apartment (staying area) for the monks. Further ahead is another passage beyond which is the Golden Temple. Unfortunately the temple was closed for renovation when I visited and I felt way too dejected. However, on the left is the Padmasambhaya Buddhist Vihara and quite a few people were going towards it, so I too went and I’m glad that I did.
Shoes aren’t allowed here but there’s a shoe counter the just outside. The hangings on the doorway are heavy wooden beads. Moving them with an effort and getting inside, I was just filled with awe!!! It was altogether a different location – in there, are 3 humongous Golden statues of Buddha… Its impossible to resist to temptation to just open the mouth in awe!!!!
The central one is the actual Lord Buddha we all know, the founder of Buddhism, born as Prince Siddhartha to King Sudhodhana and Queen Mayadevi, 2547 years ago. He’s called Buddha Shakyamuni. He’s 60ft tall. On either sides are Guru Padmasambhasiva and Buddha Amiatyus. These 2 are 58ft tall and all 3 are made of Copper and gilded with Gold. All 3 are hollow inside and filled with scriptures, relics of great beings, small clay mould stupas, small statues etc. The entire wall is painted with several murals.
Unfortunately all I had was exactly half an hour at the Bylaguppe, else I'd be missing my train. I didn't get to explore at all and I didn't even get to roll those prayer wheels!!! My guy had visited this place about 5 years back and he couldn't stop laughing when I told him later that I too finally visited Bylakuppe but didn't even see the prayer wheels!!!!!
To get there:
On Google Maps: Namdroling Monastery
From Magnolia Resort, Coorg: 60km
From Coorg Madikere Bus Stand: 34km
From Mysore Jn: 88km
From Dubare Elephant Camp: 19km