Tibet in Karnataka

Tibet in Karnataka-- 2500kms away? Yes, that is how you feel when you visit the Tibetan Monastery in Coorg! Ghumakkad was there sometime back. Picture story for you.

Credit goes to both—the Tibetan settlers as well as the erstwhile rulers of Mysore State—for the ‘Golden Temple’ Namdroling Monastery in Bylakuppe, Coorg. Once inside the Tibetan village, you can’t differentiate whether you are in Tibet or Karnataka—2500 kms apart. See the map below.

The name ‘Golden Temple’ comes from the golden dome visible from far as you traverse the hilly approach road. The Monastery is a must on Coorg travel circuit-- for its beauty, architecture, remote location and self-discipline! See the picture and the signboard ‘Please keep silence’.

The nunnery is located one km away from the monastery. But the art work and architecture are the same.

The monastery gets thousands of visitors every day and more on the weekends. There is no entrance fee. Parking, a shopping area and paid rest rooms are 200 meters away. See the collage of pictures.

The multi-tier pagoda is truly majestic. See both pictures below.

 

‘Padmasambhava Buddhist Vihara’- the main prayer hall is open to visitors. It has intricate art work—in the interiors as well as exteriors.

The gong inside the monastery is also painted artistically.

The monks act as guides for tourists—see Neeta Bhatnagar asking questions to one of the monk-guides.

The paintings on the wall depict the life story of Gautam Buddha गौतम बुद्ध .

The next painting of a devil—what with skull cap and skull necklace—reminded us of the ‘Tandav’ तांडव dance by Lord Shiva in Hindu mythology.

Whereas this one portrays a more somber and composed mood.

Next two pictures show dance-and-romance sequence. Those who have been to The Sun Temple in Khajuraho, do you see a thematic similarity?

The next picture captures the signature line at the bottom of a wall painting. Wonder if it is the name of the painter or some other meaning? Any reader willing to educate us is welcome.

Art work on exterior walls/beams is equally impressive. Next three pictures show the exterior art work.

‘Beauties in Sixties’—both Neetas and Jaya seem thrilled with the exterior art work.

Even the structural beams are painted so elaborately.

The adjoining prayer hall has seven statues of Lord Buddha. The floor is so clean and shining that you can see the reflection of the statues!

The monastery is a blend of modernity and ancient traditions. See the dish antennae on roof top!

The monks maintain a perfect figure. See this tall and lanky monk walking in the monastery.

Before the visitors exit the monastery, in the outer compound there is a scale model of the township as it was conceived. See the detail.

As we bade good bye to the Golden Temple monastery, it left an imprint on our minds.

If you wish to visit Bylakuppe monastery, just drive down south from Bangalore via Mysore. It is a 5-hour drive considering the number of speed breakers between Bangalore and Mysore! Once in Bylakuppe, the monastery will not disappoint you.

Ghumakkad's earlier stories on Coorg can be browsed at:

Dubare- Where Cauvery creates Magic  

Coorg- Go Golfers Go!

Thanks for browsing! Your feedback/experiences are welcome, as always.

                Harsh-the-Ghumakkad/ 14th June 2015

Coorg Go Golfers Go

Preface: This post is continuation of our Coorg travel in Nov 2014. Earlier post can be browsed at the link below:

Dubare where Cauvery creates magic 

 Coorg-- Go Golfers Go

Coorg is known for its coffee plantations. 

Green verdant forests-- miles and miles of it. 

No skyscrapers. Very little concrete. 

Decent roads. Hospitable folks.

It is also known for its tall, well built and valorous men. 

And equally tall and beautiful women.

With such natural wealth, how can golf be behind?

Yes, Coorg is home to some unique golf courses 

Where you-- climb a hill or two 

Traverse many a stream 

Say hello to several bird species 

Try and avoid leaches sucking your blood 

Attack par-5 holes/greens which are blind till the third shot!

All this and much more. 

Like women caddies.

Remember US PGA circuit--

Where few spouses caddie for their golfer mates?

In Coorg golf courses, it is the women folk

Who maintain the greens and fairways

And double up as caddies.

Very much in their working attire!

There are many beautiful golf courses in Coorg. 

The oldest is called MDGC--

Mercara Downs Golf Club. www.mercaradownsgolf.com 

(Mercara is the old name of Madikeri- district HQ of Coorg now called Kodagu)

MDGC is almost a hundred years old. 

Most fairways are on the slopes of hillocks. Undulating and challenging.

You do not need any other exercise. See the golfer trudging up the hill!

The greens are tiny yet challenging.

A helipad also functions close to the greens.

The clubhouse has a dreamy location.

No other habitations close by.

 MDGC clubhouse is under renovation for its Centenary celebrations. Guest rooms are also coming up. 

We noticed two children working near the site of renovation.

It appeared a case of child labour— but apparently not.

 

Actually the two children were enjoying themselves- though their 

facial expressions do not say so! As long as there is some sand 

around, children are children whether in Coorg or California!

A restaurant on the first floor meets the needs of the golfers.

We had some sandwiches there as our planned lunch at Taj Vivanta did not materialise. (Access to Taj Vivanta is through the MDGC golf course.)

Ladies were really fatigued.

And to add to it, we got the shocking news of a friend’s paralytic stroke in Delhi.

Happiness was gone.

Our second golf stop was at Coorg Golf Links (CGL).

Relatively newer golf course, it is located near Virajpet.

Much more scenic. More info on CGL at http://coorggolflinks.in/ 

This is how it looks at dawn. You will fall in love with the place!

It is so secluded that nobody tees off before 8 am.

Because most golfers live an hour’s drive away.

Thanks to Commodore CM Belliappa (Retd), I could get a feel of CGL course.

Here is the foursome: L-R: Mr Venu (Retired banker), Col Vijay (Ord, Retired), Cmde Belliappa (Retd) and Harsh. 

We were actually five. Maj Gen Cariappa (Retd) is not in the picture. 

The picture was taken by Neeta from our Guest Room’s balcony overlooking the 1^st tee.

Some more pictures of the tee-offs and the fairway.

The clubhouse at CGL has a well maintained garden. Plenty of flowers, creepers and plants.

Some pictures.

And this is how the guest rooms look during the day and night.

It drizzled while we were at CGL. Here are some rain drops—intentionally under exposed!

We had to bid good bye to CGL after two days of an exclusive 

holiday. Neeta and me at the main entrance. 
Picture courtesy Neeta Bhatnagar.

The third golf club in Coorg—The Tata Coffee Golf Club at 

Pollibetta, is also affiliated to our club in Secunderabad. However, 

there was no room on the days of our visit. Next time may be.

There may be few more golf courses/executive courses (part of 

some resorts) in Coorg. For a golfer there is plenty of variety to 

choose from.

So, fellow golfers and other readers of GhumakkadHB—now you

know which should be your next destination for a golf holiday!

Coorg- go golfers go!

Goodbye till then

-          Harsh the Ghumakkad/ 6th Feb 2015