MINDROLLING MONASTERY, CLEMENT TOWN, DEHRADUN

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When one uses the term 'temple', one automatically assumes it to be a hindu ones. I too, thought the same, when the dhaba-owner had earlier asked me to visit the place; until, I was corrected as it being Buddhist instead. Actually, instead of using the term 'mandir' while asking for directions, one should also use the term 'buddhist', so that one gets to the correct place. Anyways, little mis-adventure done, I got to the correct destination, alas. Walking through the tibetan colony was peaceful in itself, but on entering the MindRolling Monastery, a sense of calm took over.


taking the above direction, the giant Buddha statue immediately came to view :-)


the entrance...


the prayer-wheels, the incense pitcher...


isn't it giant? Well, there are plenty more interesting ones in the premises.
History : Khochhen Rinpoche at the age of 22, escaped into exile in India as one of the seven-member entourage of Mindrolling Trichen Rinpoche. In 1965, he and the small group of monks began the process of re-establishing Mindrolling monastery ( which was destroyed back in Tibet due to various factors - both natural as well as political ) near Clement Town, in Dehradun. He also established the Ngagyur Nyingma College, one of the largest Buddhist institutes in India. Near Mindrolling Monastery, Rinpoche also erected a 190 feet high Stupa of the Buddha’s Descent from the God Realms, inaugurated in 2002, and dedicated to world peace.


the monastery compound, such a serene atmosphere...


beautiful, well-kept gardens ( above )...
typical tibetan architecture ( below )...

The stupa of the re-established Mindrolling Monastery, in Clement Town, Dehradun.I totally loved my time in these peaceful grounds. There were many monks - both young and old, walking about in their maroon robes. How I wish I could go back and spend some more. Well, someday soon, perhaps...

Address : Mussoorie, Uttarakhand
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EARLY DINNER, AND OFF TO LITTLE TIBET, TIBETAN NEHRU MEMORIAL FOUNDATION, DEHRADUN

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I got off at Dehradun railway station, on the way back from Kempty. However, I discovered, that as usual, my train was delayed. At first, I had thought to wait in the station itself, but realized, it'd be a rather long wait, as it was only close to 4pm. I still had plenty of time at hand. I had kept my back-pack in the cloak-room earlier ( before leaving for Kempty ). Assured, it was still there, off I went.


opposite view from the Dehradun Railway Station.



I decided to have an early dinner - yes, at 4pm in the afternoon :-)While chatting with the owner of the Dhaba ( opposite the Rly Stn ), I asked him if there were any places doable in 2-3 hours, nearby. He told me of this place with plenty of temples scattered, very beautiful - peaceful place. He asked me to catch a bus to Clement Town, and it'd take approx 40 minutes or so one way. After finishing my mouth-fulls, assuring him that I'd write about Dehradun too ( he thought me to be a journalist ), I went to the spot where he said I could board a bus. And yes, a bus to Clement town indeed came soon, only, it was just too crowded and stopped everywhere. So, the journey took almost 1 hour :o And besides, I had told the bus conductor to remind me when we reach the temples - which they simply forgot :x

I passed way ahead of my destination and into some restricted military-type zone. It was Clement Town - a restricted zone. Assuming me to be a new-comer, one passenger asked me if I had an identity-card to enter the area. I was like, why I needed one to go to a tourist place? Then, the bus conductor realized his folly and informed that we had left the temples behind. That I should've stopped at the junction we crossed and taken right, instead of the left the bus had taken. I got down hurriedly and walked all the way back, almost 2 kms, till the entrance greeted me. Sigh!


The Entrance Gate to Tibetan Nehru Memorial Foundation, (Dhondupling Tibetan Settlement).

This settlement is situated at a distance of 10 Kms from Dehra-Dun town, at an altitude of about 2730 ft. above sea level with an average temperature of 25.43 degrees Centigrade. See the tibetan type architectures? Mindrolling Monastery, a Tibetan Buddhist center with shrine rooms in its Great Stupa, is situated in this settlement. And yes, the temples I had come to see were Buddhist ones, and not Hindu ones as I had previously thought.

History : A group of Tibetan Refugees formed a dance and drama troupe in 1960, which toured india to raise funds for their eventual settlement. In the meantime, the seventy members troupe had temporarily settled at Rajpur, near Dehradun, receiving assistance from Government of india. Later, in 1964 Dhondupling Tibetan settlement was established on an area of 110 acres. Acharya Vinoba Bhave donated the settlement land. Dhondupling is more of a craft community than a land based settlement. The population, since then, have increased. ( wiki )


Its interesting to see, so many different kinds of people living in this Incredible country, India :-)

Address : Mussoorie, Uttarakhand
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LEAVING MUSSOORIE, ENTERING DEHRADUN BY ROAD

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Continuing with the ride down-hill. Enjoy :-)

as usual, my co-passengers ( I simply love tracker rides, hehe ) :D

it was drizzling back in Dehradun....the roads were wet.



the dehradun-city roads, the blue vikrams ( autos/tuktuks ), and a random co-passenger :-)
My train back to Dehli was at 6pm, which got further postponed to 9pm, so, I had a couple of hours to spare yet. What did I do next? Read on...

Address : Mussoorie, Uttarakhand
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KEMPTY TO MUSSOORIE BY ROAD

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I could not click pictures on my way up to Kempty from Dehradun via Mussoorie. Blame the handsome pahadi-man who sat besides, and distracted me totally, add to the fact that I didn't get a proper window seat too ( he sat on it, damn ;-). On my return journey though, I got a window seat ( although, the view was not that clear ), and more than made up of it.


the mountain views are never tiring...it was quite foggy!
met some resident pahadi cows as well...



down, down and down...we went :-)


until...
Address : Mussoorie, Uttarakhand
Read next part - Here! Stay tuned for all my road, rail, flight, cruise & walk trips.
( Images - ©Mine. All rights reserved. )
Our Rating Scale is : 1 to 5 = ◕◕◕◕◕ - It was Awesome!

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