Mindrolling Monastery in Dehradun, Uttarakhand

History of Mindrolling Monastery

History of Mindrolling Monastery flashes back to 1676 when it was built by Rigzin Terdal Lingpa. The re-establishment of the monastery took place in Dehradun by Khochhen Rinpoche with his monks in 1965. More than 50 artists were involved in designing and constructing the monastery. It took around three years for the Monastery to completely get built. Apart from being a tourist spot, this place is meant to be a source of spirituality for hundreds of people from all around the globe. It was built as one of the four Tibetian Religion Schools which are called Nyingma or the Old Translation Schools. There are three other schools which are Sakya, Kagi and Geluk playing a vital role in the Tibetan Culture. The Mindrolling Monastery is considered as a very inspiring example of the sacred practice of Vajrayana Buddhism Dharma by almost all masters, teachers, followers and devotees of Nyingma lineage.

Architecture of Mindrolling Monastery

The architecture of this attraction built in Japanese style is a unique highlight. Surrounded by large prayer wheels, there is a Stupa along with beautiful gardens known as the Great Stupa, inaugurated in 2002, reaching to the height of 220 feet spread across an area of 100 square feet is being considered as Asia’s largest Stupa. The monastery comprises of statues of Lord Buddha and Guru Padmasambhava put across the five floors of the building. Walls of the first three floors are painted with ornate gold color. You will be able to behold the Dehradun Valley from the fourth floor as it offers a 360-degree view. The 130 feet tall statue of Lord Buddha inside is another prominent feature of the Monastery. Over 300 monks receive education in one of the largest Buddhist Institute calles Ngagyur Nyingma College inside, who are supposed to retain the teachings and pass it to the future generations. When planning a trip to the serene foothills of the Himalayas, Dehradun, Mindrolling Monastery must be on the top of your list.

Best time to visit Mindrolling Monastery

Best time to visit Mindrolling Monastery in Dehradun, Uttarakhand is from April to June. This time of the year, Dehradun witnesses the peak in tourist activity. The weather is pleasant and ideal for sightseeing. If you wish to visit the monastery during the winter season then also it is a good idea as winters in Dehradun are quite chilly and people who like to travel in the cold temperatures would love to sightseeing in Dehradun during the months from December to February.

Things to Do at MindRolling Monastery

 Mindrolling Monastery in Dehradun, Uttarakhand is a great place to spend some peaceful time. People who come to this monastery have claimed that they have revived their mind and body at this place. There is also a library inside the temple where religious books are kept, so one can read these books if interested. For those who love shopping, there are quite a few local shops right outside the monastery where shopping can be done. There are also cafes selling Tibetan cuisine around the monastery, so make sure to try dishes like dumplings here. Photography is another activity to try at the MindRolling Monastery. 

For tourists who come here, there are a lot of options to choose from while shopping.

Keen readers can explore bookstores and purchase some spiritual and Tibetan books. There are some clothing stores also present inside the monument from where you can purchase some fancy clothes as well. Some cafes are also built inside the monastery where you can savor upon some lip-smacking Tibetan dishes.

The Mindrolling Monastery is adjacent to the Tibetan Colony in the Clement Town which features healthcare clinics, residential area and many more. Along with the monastery, there are some other famous attractions nearby which you cannot miss. Some of which are the iconic Clock Tower, Malsi Deer Park, Lacchiwala, the Robber’s Cave or the Gucchipani along with the Tibetan Market or the Indira Market to shop for souvenirs.