Bylakuppe

Bylakuppe, often called Indian Tibet, is a small town located in the west of Mysore district. Twin town Kushalanagar is 6 km away.

Get in

 * From Bangalore, you can easily get KSRTC/Private buses to Kushal Nagar. It reaches usually very early in the morning ~5 AM at Kushal Nagar. From there you generally have to catch an Auto Rickshaw, which are waiting 24 hrs near the bus stop to reach Bylakuppe.
 * From Mysore, you get KSRTC buses (which go towards Coorg) from the bus stand every 2-3 hours during the day time. You can either get down at Kushal Nagar or request the bus driver/conductor to stop at Bylakuppe, from where you can take an auto towards the "Lama Camp".

Get around
The monasteries are numerous here but they are spread in a 3,000 acre compound. Autorikshaws are rare in Byakuppe and numerous in Kushal Nagar. Hiring your own vehicle from Kushal Nagar is the only option.
 * Auto rickshaws can be hired to visit the Tibetan settlement.
 * Walking is a really good option if you have the time for it.
 * Hitch-hiking (Taking a lift)

See

 * Sera - This monastic community is comprised of two monasteries, Sera Jey and Sera Mey, and with a combined population of almost 5,000 it is one of the largest Tibetan Buddhist monastic communities outside of Tibet. A "Welcome to Sera" booklet (₹15) in available from the shop opposite Siddhartha guesthouse and at the Tibet Network internet café.
 * Sera - This monastic community is comprised of two monasteries, Sera Jey and Sera Mey, and with a combined population of almost 5,000 it is one of the largest Tibetan Buddhist monastic communities outside of Tibet. A "Welcome to Sera" booklet (₹15) in available from the shop opposite Siddhartha guesthouse and at the Tibet Network internet café.

Do

 * Prayer wheels. Those with enough stamina can rotate the prayer wheels that surround the monastery compound. The wheels contain consecrated mantras and prayers, and it is believed that those who turn them in a clockwise direction and with a pure motivation of benefiting others are creating the causes and conditions that will eventually place them in a position where they themselves can help relieve others of their suffering. Although turning the wheels is considered an alternative to chanting mantras, most devotees combine the two activities.

Buy

 * There are numerous fine restaurants in Kushal Nagar (10 km) serving south Indian food.
 * There are small markets near some monasteries selling handicrafts. Do not forget to bargain.

Eat
There are a few hotels right outside the Namdroling Monastery complex, where one can take in a meal combined with a shopping jaunt as well.

Beside the restaurants you can also have at the monasteries during the normal meal time of the monks(Breakfast: ~0630, Lunch: ~1130, Dinner: ~1730)
 * Namdroling Monastery Restaurant This is where monks usually have their meals, and is especially recommended for travelers with light wallets.

Sleep
Overseas visitors planning to stay in Bylakupee require a 'Protected Area Permit' - while these are easy to obtain, they can take several months to process. See information on Namdroling Monastery's website.

Good accommodation is available at Kushalanagar town, 11 km away.


 * Penor Rinpoche Charity Foundation - The lodge is just in front of the Nyingmapa Monastery and is a good place to stay, if you are spending couple of days in Bylakuppe. Double bedrooms with TV cost ₹430. Contacting them beforehand to book a room is also possible. Phone Number : 08223-258686, 08223-258848
 * Penor Rinpoche Charity Foundation - The lodge is just in front of the Nyingmapa Monastery and is a good place to stay, if you are spending couple of days in Bylakuppe. Double bedrooms with TV cost ₹430. Contacting them beforehand to book a room is also possible. Phone Number : 08223-258686, 08223-258848
 * Penor Rinpoche Charity Foundation - The lodge is just in front of the Nyingmapa Monastery and is a good place to stay, if you are spending couple of days in Bylakuppe. Double bedrooms with TV cost ₹430. Contacting them beforehand to book a room is also possible. Phone Number : 08223-258686, 08223-258848
 * Penor Rinpoche Charity Foundation - The lodge is just in front of the Nyingmapa Monastery and is a good place to stay, if you are spending couple of days in Bylakuppe. Double bedrooms with TV cost ₹430. Contacting them beforehand to book a room is also possible. Phone Number : 08223-258686, 08223-258848
 * Penor Rinpoche Charity Foundation - The lodge is just in front of the Nyingmapa Monastery and is a good place to stay, if you are spending couple of days in Bylakuppe. Double bedrooms with TV cost ₹430. Contacting them beforehand to book a room is also possible. Phone Number : 08223-258686, 08223-258848

Go next

 * Mysore
 * Coorg
 * Madikeri
 * Krishnarajanagara Paddy field paradise
 * Dubbare elephant camp near Kushalnagar, it is on the banks of river Kabini and the mahouts bring their elephants for bath here. You can buy a ticket and give the elephants a bath with your own hands here.