Bangalore's Little Tibet: Bylakuppe

A small hamlet nestled among misty hills comes alive each day as thousands of Buddhist monks go about doing their chores, children frisk around in infectious glee, and the drone of everyday household tasks lulls the mountainside. Welcome to Bylakuppe or Bailakuppe, the Little Tibet, south of the Vindhyas.

Nestled in the Western Ghats, this place was created in 1969 as a refuge for Tibetans who fled their homeland during the Chinese invasion in 1950s and 60s. As you walk through winding lanes, strong smells of Tibetan food and incense engulf your senses. Silhouetted by the sun, huge temples reverberate with chants, prayers and resonances of prayer gongs.

This is a great place to pick up some Tibetan handicrafts and other items like honey and seasonal produce. Don’t forget to check out the small eateries that dot the undulating landscape for some great Tibetan cuisine. Besides these, there is also a centre for Tibetan medicine, and people from far and near come to try out new remedies and cures .

Want to experience the Buddhist way of life? Plan a visit to the Namdroling Monastery, the largest Nyingmapa School in the world, and home to thousands of Buddhist monks and nuns. Though tourists can visit this place, the monastery office has to be notified in advance, and special permits are needed for those intending to spend the night. The monastery provides accommodation, but the approval may take few months to get processed.

Hence, plan in advance.