These Places near Mysore, You Must Not Miss

Golden temple Monastery, Bylakuppe

Namdroling Monastery also locally known as the “Golden temple”, situated over a small hill settlement called “Bylakuppe” is one of the largest teaching center of Tibetan Buddhism in the world near KushalNagar, Madikeri in Karnataka.

How to reach the Golden temple Monastery, Bylakuppe?

Golden temple as popularly called as, is situated just 6 Kms from the town of Kushalnagar and 35 Kms from the Madikeri.

  • Timings: 07:00-20:00 (All days)
  • No entry fee

From Kushalnagar, follow the Mysore-madikeri road for next 2-3 Kms until you cross the river Kaveri. After crossing the bridge, drive for next 200 meters until you see a board to the right for the Monastery.

Golden temple gate, bylakuppe Bylakuppe complex Entrance gate

Golden temple is the most famous attraction of the Bylakuppe settlement. Golden temple gets its name “Golden” because of the golden paintings above the monastery. The monastery or the Golden temple from a distance looks like a replica of a typical Tibetan monastery.

Golden temple, bylakuppe Golden Temple

Inside the Golden Temple:

Golden temple does not look so vast from outside but once you enter inside the temple, it looks very grand in nature. The ceilings are situated very high because of the three statues of lord Buddha, 40 feet in height called Padmasambhava, Buddha & Amitayus.

Inside the Monastery, 40 feet high statue of Lord Buddha 40 feet high statue of lord Buddha inside the Golden temple

It is mandatory to maintain silence inside the temple. The normal tradition includes burning a incense stick inside the temple; sitting on the carpet and feeling spirituality. The floor are made up of the marble and mostly covered with the carpet. While the side walls are full of Tibetan paintings showing Gods and Demons.

Inside the Golden temple, bylakuppe Inside the Golden temple

Apart from the Normal paintings, there are also wall paintings. Different paintings carry different messages within them.  As for example: some painting might be dedicated to the lifestyle of Buddha; some depict the fight between God & demons; some depict the cultural details & traditions intricately through paintings.

A painting at the monastery, bylakuppe Painting depicting a Demon (in dark) & a God (Bright)

Besides art & paintings, one can also see the sacred things for traditional worshiping methodology like sacred texts, horns, trumpets, incense sticks, bells, prayer beads, Prayer wheels, prayer flags,  drums etc. Please also make sure that you respect their religious authenticity and do not violet any religious tradition.

The bell at bylakuppe monastery A religious bell outside the monastery

There are also monasteries to see around like Sakya Monastery, Sare ja Monastery etc. Most of these monasteries carry the same decorations of wall paintings and worshiping things like sacred texts, horns, a statue of lord Buddha etc.

Monastery at the golden temple One of the monasteries

Apart from the worshiping materials, it’s also worth taking a look at the doors and the architecture of the Monasteries. Apart from this, you can also perceive a sense of responsibility, dedication & discipline in every disciple over there. Doors are decorated with silk clothing and articulated paintings which are worth taking a look.

A beautiful door of the golden temple A decorated door covered with silk

It is also worth taking the visit of the whole campus and see how the monks and disciples live their together. How their religion an spirituality purify the air with floating prayer flags across the valley sending their messages on the winds; the ring of the bell enchanting the vibes of the surroundings; rotation of the prayer wheels carrying the hymns.

Tibetan prayer flags Prayer flags carrying the prayer across the valley

It is also worth lighting a prayer lamp for the peace outside the monastery and see the common life of the monks there.

Prayer lamps Peace-prayer lamps at the Monastery

History of Bylakuppue

The settlement of Bylakuppe first had the shape of a Bamboo cottage in 1960s over the small hills away from the civilization and town of Kushalnagar. This settlement came into existence in India after one of the throne holders of the Nyingma, oldest of the four Tibetan Buddhism school, was annexed by China and he was forced to leave Tibet with his disciples. In 1972, the Buddhist refugees were re-established here by the government here and in 1978, their first teaching school was established. The Teaching school in Tibetan is called “Shedra”.

Students playing football Students (monks) Playing Football Behind their hostels

Since 1990s the Tibetan settlement of Bylakuppe has seen many developments like new monasteries, boarding & lodging places, universities for higher Buddhist practices & studies etc.

Living quarters for officials Bylakuppe university complex

This Buddhist Tibetan settlement community now houses more than 20000 Tibetan persons including over 4500 monks & 800 nuns. This settlement is self-sufficient in itself and has all the basic facilities of a municipal township like bank, post-office, telephone exchange, police station and transportation facilities. Apart from these facilities, Tibetan colonies are into agricultural practices now  a days and are almost self-sufficient.

St. Philomena’s Church Mysore

Foundation laid down by a Hindu king for British people; design inspired by a German church; architect would a Fench and Mary wears sari; the unique St. Philomena’s church is said to be one of the highest churches of south Asia.

How to reach?

Located on Cathedral road (Name of the road inspired by the Cathedral church), almost 2 kms from the Mysore palace, St. philomena’s church is situated in the northern part of Mysore.

  • TImings: 05:00-18:00 (Free entry)
  • Mass timings: 6:00 to noon: Holy mass in Kannada, Tamil and English

Mysore roadsOn the way to the St. Philomena’s church

History of the church:

There used to be a small church, built in 1843, at the same location until 1933. When the capital of Mysore state changed from Srirangpatna, another city by river Kaveri near Mysore, to Mysore city, there was an urge for the moved British people to have a bigger church. Thus, the then king of Mysore state, King Wadyar, laid the stone for bigger church in 1933 and the construction began.

Saint Philomena church cathedral, mysoreSt. Philomena church from a distance

So it can be said that this church’s foundation was laid down by a Hindu king for British people whose architecture was a french and design was German.

In front of the church

Architecture of the Church:

Architecture of the Church is inspired from Cologne cathedral church, Cologne is a southern German city near France. However, the architect of the Church was a french. Like other churches, this church is also built in Neo-Gothic style with high altars and stained glasses depicting the life of the Jesus.

The central altar inside the church is very high and stained glasses placed higher produced a very warm color pattern during the sunset inside the church. The church is also not lesser beautiful from the outside when sun rays kiss the high twin spires and produced different shades.

Saint Philomena church cathedral in evening
High spires of the church in evening sky

The twin Spires:

The twin spires are 175 feet in height and can be seen from a distance, thus making it an important landmark in the city. The twin towers and other parts of the church are decorated with stained glasses which depict the birth, preaching, Crucifixion and resurrection of the Jesus.

Saint Philomena church, neo-gothic architecture and painted glassStained window glasses

Tomb of St. Philomena:

Tomb of St. Philomena is underground below the sanctum sanctorum. There is ladder way to go down there and see it. There is an inscription of how saint met divinity and other religious things about him.

Near the tomb of saint PhilomenaNear the underground Tomb of St. Philomena

One can also find the statue of mother Mary clad in a sari.  These statue designs are influenced by the Hindu culture where Mary in sari is thought to be the mother of city Mysore who will protect Mysore from all the odds.

Chunchi Falls

Chunchi falls, situated in Mysore, is a waterfall on river Kaveri and is named after a tribal couple Chuncha and Chunchi. Chunchi falls travel information is given below in more details:

How to Reach Chunchi falls from Bangalore?

Distance of Chunchi falls from different places:

  • From Mysore: Around 100 Kms
  • From Ramanagara: 55 Kms
  • From Bangalore: 100 Kms

On Google maps, just search for “Chunchi falls, Kanakapura, Karnataka, India” and the Google map will show you the road until the waterfall. You can park your vehicle in the open fields over there. You will also see some warning boards over there in Kannada giving precautions before going to see the Chunchi falls. You will hardly find any villager over there. In case you find, you can ask the route to the Chunchi falls from vehicle parking area. The terrain to Chunchi falls is rocky and uneven. Be careful before proceeding forward.

Chunchi falls

Chunchi falls is almost 50 feet high and there are cascades of falls. The best to visit this fall would be after the monsoon when there is enough water in the Arkavathi river. There is almost a power station ahead of Chunchi falls. Before the power station was installed, Chunchi falls would have a lot of water.

However, after the power station is installed, the amount of water has reduced significantly in the Chunchi falls. Do not try to step to closer to the falls, it might be risky and dangerous. Chunchi falls has seen such accidents before. There is no entry fee to this place. However, it’s not advised to stay there until late evening. As the place is deserted, the chances of troubles are high also.

Little ahead of chunchi falls

Chunchi falls is open from 9 AM to 6 PM in the  evening although there is no restriction on it. If you think you love adventure, you can go down and explore more below the Chunchi falls. The waterfall becomes almost flat and you can also enjoy there with your friends.  

Chunchi water fallsDown the falls where we trekked for enjoying the bath

Places of interest around Chunchi falls:

Mekedatu falls and Sangama (Click here to read more about them here)
– Kodanda Rama temple

Sri Rangapatna

Located at a distance of 15 kms from Mysore city, Srirangapatna is a town surrounded all around by river Kaveri in forming a river island. It used to be capital of Tipu sultan. Srirangapatna got its name from the temple Sriranganathaswamy, a temple of lord vishnu’s lying statue.

Sri Ranganathaswamy temple

Ranganatha temple, srirangapatna

SriRanganathaswamy temple is one of the five pligrimages in Karnataka. All of the pilgrimages of Srirangaswamy is situated beside river Kaveri.

Sriranganatha temple, sri rangapatna

Tipu Sultan memorial

Tipu Sultan Memorial, Srirangapatna

There is a tipu sultan memorial in the compound where Tipu sultan died. Since it was harder to attack Tipu Sultan from land as Sri rangapatna  was located on a river island.  Tipu sultan was attacked from river side.

Water gate srirangapatna from where tipu sultan was attacked

This is the water gate through which British army entered and attacked the capital of Tipu Sultan. The capital was burned to ashes.

Roads to Srirangapatna from Mysore:

On the way from mysore to srirangapatna

It’s a highway from Mysore and it’s very scenic as well. With greenery on both of the sides of the road, villages and paddy fields.

monsoon mysore

If gone during monsoon season, the drive is very cool. You will enjoy the driving.

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