Mindrolling Monastery (Buddha Temple) in Dehradun | Things To Do, Places Nearby, How To Reach

One of the six major monasteries of the Nyingma School in Tibet, the Mindrolling Monastery was established in 1676 by Rigzin Terdak Lingpa which was re-established in Dehradun by Khochhen Rinpoche along with a group of monks in 1965. The monastery is not only a tourist attraction but also a destination where on a daily basis almost hundreds of individuals attain spirituality. Being an architectural masterpiece with several sections, the monastery is no less than a wonder to look at. Numerous beautiful gardens, large areas, and a stupa are all situated within the perimeter of the monastery. The Ngagyur Nyingma College is also present within the premises offering advanced Buddhist studies to monks who can pass on the knowledge to the upcoming generations.



The monastery is an unnatural beauty owing to its gardens, university complex and the tallest Stupa in Asia surrounded by greenery. It also has numerous shrine rooms, Tibetan art forms, and murals. However, what catches the attention of every tourist is the presence of the tall statue of Lord Buddha. Situated in the middle of the serene foothills of the Himalayas, the Mindrolling Monastery is one of the largest Buddhist centers in India which attracts thousands of visitors from all over the country as well as abroad. This beautiful place should definitely be visited if you are planning a trip to Dehradun.


History of Mindrolling Monastery 
The Mindrolling Monastery was constructed by Rigzin Tendak Lingpa in 1676. It was later re-established by Khochhen Rinpoche in 1965 with the help of few other monks to protect the religious and cultural understanding of Buddhism. Around 50 artists were involved in the design and construction of the monastery which took almost three years to complete. The Buddha temple complex was built as one of the four schools of the Tibetan religion. It is also known as Nyingma while the others are known as Sakya, Kagyu, and Gelak.

The architecture of Mindrolling Monastery 
Also known as Tibetan Monastery, the Mindrolling Monastery is well-known for its exquisite architecture. The monastery has wall paintings inside which showcase the life of Lord Buddha. It has been built in the Japanese style of architecture with the Stupa, also known as the Great Stupa which was inaugurated in 2002, is one of its major attractions. It has a height of 220 feet and a width of 100 square feet. Being the largest stupa in Asia, it also has greenery spread all over it. The beautiful monastery has five floors with statues of Lord Buddha and Guru Padmasambhava. There are ornate gold color wall paintings present on the first three floors and an open platform offering a huge 360-degree view of the Dehradun Valley on the fourth floor.



Visitors are allowed to go on the upper floor on Sundays only. Another distinguishing factor of the monastery is the 130 feet tall statue of Lord Buddha inside. There is a beautiful garden along with a bookstore stocked with Tibetan books too inside the complex. One of the largest Buddhist Institutes known as Nagyur Nyingma College too is a part of the monastery where the monks are trained to preserve the teachings and pass them to the generations to come. At present, 300 monks are given education in the monastery.

Best Time To Visit Mindrolling Monastery 
The perfect time to visit the monastery is from April to June which is considered to be the peak time for tourism in Dehradun. Since the climate is pleasant with a lovely and calm ambiance, one is definitely going to have a fantastic and enjoyable time here.

Tips For Visiting Mindrolling Monastery 
1. You should carry a camera along to capture the scenic beauty of the place.
2. Though the temperature during the day is hot, the evenings become chilly. So, it is advisable to carry a light shawl to avoid catching a cold.
3. The garden and shops of the monastery remain open on all days of the week.
4. Visitors should remove their shoes before entering the main hall of the monastery.

How To Reach Mindrolling Monastery 
The Mindrolling Monastery is situated on the Delhi-Saharanpur Road at a distance of 4 km from ISBT Dehradun. One can easily reach the monastery by hiring a local auto or via the local bus. Dehradun railway station is the nearest station situated at a distance of 9 km from the monastery, and Jolly Grant airport is situated 31 km from the monastery.

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