Bylakuppe near Mysore
Visitors usually visit Dharamshala in H.P to experience the peace, spiritual guidance and tranquility of Tibetan culture. However, if you happen to be in Karnataka anytime soon then visiting Bylakuppe, a Tibetan town can be a cherishing experience of your life. Bylakuppe, the biggest known Tibetan settlement has a blend of modern Tibetan culture with charming architecture of those times.
The Town: Location and Settlement
The Town: Location and Settlement
Bylakuppe is at a distance of 90 kilometers from Mysore. The Tibetan town has two refuge settlements which have progressed into complete towns housing about 10,000 Tibetans today. The Tibetan town is one of the best known travel places in the country offering something exciting and unique to the visitors. You can enjoy watching several settlements, monasteries, temples and nunneries in the town. The prominent places to see in Bylakuppe are Tashilunpo monastery, Namdroling monastery. You would preferably see the cream of Tibetan settlements. In case of foreigner visitors, they require permit to visit Bylakuppe. Generally, pass requires two to three months to get cleared from Indian Government. The pass is valid for one year and you can visit the place anytime in the year on that pass.
Places of Interest in the Town
Golden Temple: The major place to see in Bylakuppe- the Tibetan town is the Golden Temple. Visitors can experience the peace of mind once they step inside the temple and the stress of life diminishes. The amazing Buddha statues in the Golden Temple are Padmasambhava, Buddha and Amitayus with each statues being 40 feet long. The temple is decorated with beautiful paintings inspired from Tibetan culture. The temple offers calmness and unique scenes to the visitors. Visitors can enjoy the beauty of life in the gardens.During celebrations, the temple welcomes the joy by turning the courtyard into an open stage. Dances, songs and other performances are welcomed on the stage. People visiting the temple can click beautiful pictures to retain them for life as a souvenir.
Sera Je Monastery: The other attraction the town is Sera Je Monastery where Tibetan culture is still active. The place is associated with Yellow-Hat Gelugpa sect of Buddhism and around 5,000 of Buddhist followers come here to study. Visitors can buy jewelry, Tibetan items, incense from the stores to retain the Tibetan culture with them.
Sakya Monastery: Double storied monastery is a unique structure and must visit place when you visit Bylakuppe.
Tashi Lhunpo Monastery: It is the great monastery, re-established in 1972 in Bylakuppe. About 250 of Buddhists study here.
Where to Stay
Visitors can enjoy staying in the Tibetans town either in guest houses in the streets of the town or in the premises of the monasteries.
Best Time to Visit
Visitors can go to the place either in February/March or May/June. However, whenever you are in Mysore, take out some time to visit the place.How to Get There
By Road -
The Tibetan town can be easily reached either by a bus or a taxi.
Visitors would take about two hours to reach the place from Mysore which
is 50 kilometer from Bylakuppe. Then, tourists can prefer walking for
another half an hour to get to the center of the town. However, visitors
would take about 5 hours from Bangalore which is 250 kilometers via bus
or taxi.
By Air – The closest
airport is Mysore and as of now, Spicejet can take you to Mysore either
from Mumbai or Chennai. Bangalore is other closest airport from
Bylakuppe.