Tibetan Buddhist Temple in Mussoorie Uttarakhand
Happy Valley is a large Tibetan settlement in Mussoorie located 2.5 kilometers from the Library Bus Stand. It is also well-known for its IAS Academy, Tibetan temples, and Municipal Gardens. The happy valley extends from the west side of Library Point to Cloud’s End.
Around 5000 Tibetan refugees live in Happy Valley, also known as mini-Tibet. It is a popular tourist attraction in Mussoorie. When the 14th Dalai Lama took refuge in Mussoorie in 1959, many Tibetans came here, and this valley has been their home ever since.
Later, the Tibetan government-in-exile relocated to Dharamshala in Himachal Pradesh, leaving behind a strong community of Tibetans who have today become an integral part of the local community. The Buddhist Temple and Tibetan Homes Foundation help to preserve Mussoorie’s beautiful Tibetan culture.
In 1960, the Indian government established the Central School for Tibetans in Happy Valley for Tibetan children, which is still in operation today. For many years, Mahapandit Rahul Sankrityayan, also known as the “Father of Hindi Travel Literature,” lived with his family in the current Central School’s dispensary building.
The town is surrounded by lush greenery. Shedup Choephelling Temple is perched on a cliff at the valley’s highest point. It was the first Tibetan shrine built in India and was dedicated by the Dalai Lama. It is a popular tourist destination in Mussoorie and an outstanding example of Tibetan architecture.
This temple houses prayer wheels and numerous Lord Buddha idols. The temple’s meditation hall is adorned with beautiful paintings on the walls, panels, and ceiling. The temple offers a spectacular panoramic view of the Benog Hill circuit. Temple Timings are from 5 AM – 12 PM and 4 PM – 9 PM.
