Jirang Monastry: A Buddhist paradise in Odisha

Have you ever heard of Jirang, probably not. Well to tell you know it is a Buddhist paradise nestled in the state of Odisha in Eastern India. But what is so unique about Jirang. It is home to the largest Buddhist Monastery in Eastern India. Surprised! Come explore this little treasure trove in eastern India which you would like to add to your must visit list.

Jirang is located in Chandragiri in southern Odisha and it came into being after the Tibetan people escaping Chinese persecution arrived in India and settled in different parts of the country. Jirang is popularly known by many adjectives like Chandragiri Tibetan Settlement, the Tibetan settlement of Odisha (or Gajapati) and the Buddhist Settlement of Chandragiri, is an unlikely place to find a Buddhist monastery.

Jirang (aka Jirango or Jiranga) is a small village tucked away in the rural heartland of southern Odisha, situated in a very beautiful valley, surrounded by various hills of the eastern ghats. Jirang has had a long history of Tibetan settlements, dating as far back as the 1960s.

Jirang is famous for its beautiful Buddhist monastery known as Padma Sambhava Mahavihara. It is the largest Buddhist monastery in Eastern India. The monastery itself is not very old and was inaugurated quite recently by His Holiness the Dalai Lama in 2010. It is a residence-cum-college for those students wanting to become Buddhist monks. People from all over India come here to study.

Popularly known as Odisha’s Little Tibet - Jirang is not as well-known as the other Buddhist centres in India like the abode of his holiness the Dalai Lama at Mcleodganj in Dharamsala and Majnu ka Tila in Delhi, but has over the years become a vibrant Buddhist settlement where the Tibetan people have preserved their culture and also added colour to the place and keeping up the Indian tradition of absorbing people from all over.

The Jirang settlement came into being after the Tibetan people, escaping Chinese persecution settled down there in 1959. Chandragiri was designated as camp no.4 to settle the Tibetan refugees.

The first group of Tibetan refugees arrived in Chandragiri on 1st May 1963. Since arriving they have made Chandragiri and the adjoining camps at Labarasingh, Mahendragadh, Tankilipadar (all located at a radius of 4-5 KM around Chandragiri) their home and added to the place both culturally and also economically. The presence of Tibetans has added colour to the place and their enterprising spirit has turned the sleepy little conclave into a vibrant economic and religious hub. The Tibetan’s have named this place “Phuntsokling”– which means land of plenty and happiness.

The original name of the Jirang Monastery is Padmasambhava Monastery and is home to the Avalokiteswara statue in a sitting position at Mahedragad which is another attraction along with the Monastery at Labarasingh.