The Buddha Temple is one of the most visited places in Dehradun. It is located in Clement Town, with a distance of about 11 km from Clock Tower and around 5 km from ISBT, Dehradun. This iconic temple is one of the largest Buddhist monastery in India, nestled in the foothills of the Himalayas, with the serene landscape of the Doon Valley, Dehradun. The temple draws attention for both its architectural splendor and its spiritual setting. A mixture of Japanese and Tibetan styles, this temple attracts one and all. The garden surrounding the temple is vibrant with flowers, and prayer flags known as Lungta flutter in the air with spiritual mantras written on them. The prayer bells, also known as Mani wheels, surround the temple and give a peaceful atmosphere to the place.
History of the Buddha Temple
The Buddha Temple and the Mindrolling Monastery roll in the same places. It is just a few minutes’ walk away. Along with the monastery, this temple was also built in 1965 for the teaching and practices of Buddha by the Tibetans. Khochhen Rinpoche and other small group of monks made this temple and the monastery for the protection of Buddhism with cultural understanding. This is one of the six major monasteries of the Nyingma School of Buddhism.
The Buddha Temple features a majestic 220-foot-tall statue of Lord Buddha, painted in gold and crafted in a blend of Tibetan and Japanese architectural styles. Often referred to as the five-floor statue, it stands as a striking symbol of spiritual and artistic excellence. This temple complex is also considered one of the largest Buddhist centers in India and is popularly known as the Tibetan Buddhist Monastery. The temple and monastery walls are adorned with intricate gold-painted murals, created by a dedicated team of 50 artists who worked tirelessly over three years to complete the masterpiece. The murals in the area show the life of Gautam Buddha. With a Buddhist song played in the background, make the environment of the place more lively.
The architectural highlights of the Buddha Temple are
- This architectural masterpiece is a combination of modern aesthetics with traditional Japanese and Tibetan designs.
- The lush gardens and beautiful landscape enhance the surroundings of the temple environment, making it peaceful.
- Temple walls are adorned with ornate murals, each narrating the story of Buddha’s life.
- The center attraction of the temple is the golden Buddha statue, which gives magnificent peace and serenity.
- Lastly, there is a meditation hall, which is spacious, where people can meditate in the tranquil atmosphere.
Best Time To Visit
Buddha Temple is open year-round, so it is easy to visit. But one visiting the temple should check the timings, as it opens by 8 in the morning and closes by 7 in the evening during the summers. And in the winters, the temple opens by 9 AM and closes by 6 PM. The best time is the evening, from after 4 PM till sunset. It mostly takes around 2-3 hours visiting the place and hopping in cafes. You can buy some mementos like the small souvenirs, handicrafts and traditional cloths. Don’t miss the hot serving outside just waiting for you.
Note: The monastery closes for an hour in the afternoon from 1:30 to 2:30 in the afternoon, so avoid that time.
– There is no Entry Fee for Buddha Temple and Mindrolling Monastery, Dehradun.
My Experience
I visited Buddha Temple in Dehradun in June on a hot summer day. Believe me, being drenched in sweat and hot, humid weather made the day feel like boiling in hell. Reaching the gate of the place gave me a Tibetan vibe, which made me go with the flow. Peeping into each shop and restaurant, I landed at the entry gate of the Buddhist Temple. Once I entered, I was welcomed by the rows of prayer bells and the golden statue of Lord Buddha. Everyone was rolling the bells, clicking, and the gentle sound made the environment peaceful. After some time, the place became quiet, and the mild wind around made the environment peaceful. We also saw Buddhist monks and small children with maroon-robed monks busy with their daily routines silently. After spending some time and clicking with the giant Buddha statue, we took a walk around.
People around there were busy clicking snaps, enjoying and giggling. The whole place was very charming and equally attractive. The golden statue of Buddha was really the center of attraction, and yes, I enjoyed it a lot.
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