Namdroling Monastery, popularly called the Golden Temple, is a Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Bylakuppe, Karnataka. Its temple, statues and prayer drums offer a cultural stop to include in a Coorg-area trip.
- Location: Bylakuppe, Karnataka
- From Kushalanagara: about 5 km
- Temple highlights: a four-storey entrance tower, three central statues and mani prayer drums
- Hours: published timings differ, so verify before setting out
For a Coorg base, you can book four-star resort rooms.
What to see at the monastery
Namdroling’s Golden Temple brings together a monumental entrance tower, statues and prayer practices within a monastery community.
The complex is home to about 16,000 refugees and 600 monks. The main entrance is a four-storey tower. Inside the temple, Lord Buddha is the central statue, flanked by Lord Amitayus and Lord Padmasambhava.
At the temple, visitors may pray, meditate, make offerings and rotate the mani prayer drums. The monastery’s visitor guidance also describes clockwise circumambulation, prostrations, and reciting mantras and prayers as virtuous practices.
Visitor etiquette and photography
Keep your voice low and follow the monastery’s requests for respectful conduct inside the temple.
The published visitor guidance asks visitors not to run or shout, touch statues or paintings, or disturb others. It asks visitors to keep silent or speak softly. Contact the monastery to confirm photography rules and any entry fee before your visit.
How do you get to Bylakuppe?
From Madikeri, the temple is about 35 km away, and you can plan the road leg by car or bus via Kushalanagara.
Kushala Nagara has bus service from Bengaluru and Mysuru. From Kushala Nagara, visitors can hire an auto or taxi to reach the temple.
For a day trip from Madikeri, the road distance is 35.4 km and a car journey takes about 31 minutes. The bus option travels from Madikeri to Kushal Nagar and takes about 44 minutes including transfers; there is no direct bus to Bylakuppe.
If you are extending the day around Kushalanagara, Kaveri Nisargadhama is 7 km from the Golden Temple. You can make Cauvery Nisargadhama a separate stop.
Hours and access to verify
Opening-hour guidance differs, so confirm the temple’s current visiting hours before you travel.
Published hours range from 7am to 7pm to 9 AM to 6 PM. Check the official site before you go.
FAQs
Where is Namdroling Monastery?
Namdroling Monastery is in Bylakuppe, Karnataka. The Golden Temple is about 5 km from Kushalanagara.
Is Namdroling Monastery also called the Golden Temple?
Yes. Namdroling Monastery is popularly known as the Golden Temple.
Can you take photographs inside the monastery?
Contact the monastery to confirm its photography rules before your visit.