Golden Temple (Namdroling Monastery)

Many ceremonies are held in the Namdroling Monastery every year amongst which the Tibetan New Year, which usually falls in February/March as per the lunar calendar, is celebrated with a lot of enthusiasm. As per the Tibetan calendar, June is a special month for practice for the monks as the enlightenment of Buddha took place on the 15th day of June and is known as Saga Dawa Dhuechen. The 10th and 15th days of the month are known as Dhuechen and the fourth Tibetan lunar month is known as Saga Dawa.

The lama dance, known as Losar Cham, is performed at this time. During the festival, monks are seated in rows while some of them are standing and moving around the place. These monks, instead of chanting, sell food which is packaged in plastic bags kept in plastic crates to the public. Some of the food items include potato chips, watermelon slices, packaged drinking water and cold drinks. Few monks also walk on the sides, and the seated monks bring a snack or a drink to sustain sitting there. Two essential qualities which one gets to learn during this festival include the 'act of consumption' and the 'act of restraint'.

The best time to visit the monastery is from June to March to enjoy the pleasant weather with the temperature being around 20 to 22 degrees Celsius. The summer season from April to May is hot and filled with visitors. Also, Buddha Jayanti, 6th of July, i.e., Dalai Lama's birthday and Tibetan New Year are some of the perfect events to pay a visit to the monastery. It is best to avoid visiting during peak monsoons and peak winters as the weather extremities inhibit one from fully enjoying the area.

The Monastery itself offers basic accommodation, though visitors require a Protected Area Permit to stay overnight within the premises. The town of Kushalnagar is about 6 km from the area and offers many lodging options for travellers. Those looking for more luxurious accommodation options may go to the neighbouring town of Coorg, about 30 km from the location.

Although the monastery seems not so vast from outside, it is huge inside. There are three 40 feet high statues of Lord Buddha called Padmasambhava, Buddha & Amitayus. The floor is made of marble but is always covered with a carpet. People can burn incense sticks and sit on the carpet which contributes to the spiritual environment in the temple. The walls have paintings depicting phases of Buddha's life. Some even display Tibetan gods and demons. The Namdroling Monastery also has sacred texts, horns, trumpets, incense sticks, bells, prayer beads, prayer wheels, prayer flags, drums, etc.

Those who visit the monastery need to maintain silence in order to help out the ones who meditate. Due to the presence of the gold statues, it is also known as the golden temple. Lord Buddha's statue is 60 feet in height and those of Guru Padmasambhava and Amitayur are 58 feet high. Placards are present near the entrance which contain that there are sacred scriptures in the form of statues along with small clay tupas which are symbols of the body, mind, and speech of the Buddhas. Their followers believe that if one worships these symbols and makes offerings then his/her faith will get restored and will help achieve peace, compassion, and wisdom.

Namdroling Monastery is situated at a distance of 6 km from Kushalnagar. One can drive all the way from Kushalnagar or hire a cab. Autorickshaws are the only means of local transport for traveling between the camps.