By Rajen Nair
The Zangdogpalri of Namdroling Monastery, commonly known as the Golden Temple, is situated in Bylakuppe of Coorg, Karnataka State, south India. The place resembles a mini-Tibetan township, as it is inhabited by fairly large population of Buddhist monks.
The monastery not only attracts large number of young Tibetans seeking enlightenment and education, but the magnificent golden temple is also a huge tourist draw for people in India and abroad.
Zangdogpalri Pema Odkyi Phodrang, the Lotus Light Palace of Guru Padmasambhava, has three divisions: the outer, inner and the secret. The first is the mansion of Nirmanakaya; the second, the concentration of the five Pure Essences, which are perfected with qualities of the “Three Enlightened Bodies.” The last is the all-pervading wisdom abiding in the natural state of our mind.
His Holiness Penor Rinpoche established Namdroling Monastery in 1963. With the help of generous donations the Golden Temple came up in the year 1999, and the Zangdogpalri Monastery was completed in 2004.
The temple Zangdogpalri has been built with gold, copper, and bricks. Within the temple, the three giant statues plated in gold offer the most stunning sight. The exquisite and artistic murals and painting is depicted on the temple walls.
The walls are ornamented with the “Five Precious Materials,” which represent the “Five Primordial Wisdoms”: 1) the expanse of reality (dharmadhtujnana), 2) the mirror (adarshajnana), 3) discernment (pratyavekshanajnana), 4) equality (samatajnana), and 5) accomplishment (krtyanusthanajnana).
Inside the temple’s sanctum the recitation of hymns and blowing of bugles by the young monks draped in flowing red ropes transform one to a higher spiritual plane.
It is said that a visit to the Golden Temple makes one’s faith stronger and generates caring and loving to others. Wisdom and compassion also increase by visiting the Golden Temple.
The Golden Temple is a good three-hours drive from Mysore city and is located in Kushalnagar, which is 30 miles away from Coorg. The temple is open to people from all faiths and there is no entry fee.
Fortunately there was no restriction on camera use inside the temple, which helped me bring you some of the images taken during my recent visit.
