About Shedup Choepelling Temple
Opening Hours: 07:00 am- 05:00 pm
Prime Day & Hours: Weekends, 09:00 am- 12:00 pm
Suggested Duration: 2-3 hours
Tickets: Free entry
Nearest Railway Station: Dehradun Railway Station, 170 km away
Nearest Airport: Jolly Grant Airport, about 197 km away
Nearest Bus Stop: Library Bus Stand, about 3 km away
The Shedup Choepelling Temple is a peaceful Tibetan Buddhist sanctuary in Happy Valley, Mussoorie, and is one of the best places to visit in Uttarakhand. Enriched with both cultural depth and Himalayan beauty, it was built in the early 1960s on a hill near the IAS Academy and is blessed by the Dalai Lama. The temple's front is full of bright reds, yellows, and blues, and prayer flags are flying in the mountain breeze and prayer wheels with the words "Om Mani Padme Hum" on them.
When you walk inside, you see life-size statues of the Buddha and the Dalai Lama in a peaceful prayer hall with bright murals, clay lamps, and meditation rooms. There is a small library with Tibetan texts that add an educational element to the spiritual atmosphere.
The peaceful veranda is surrounded by lush green plants and has stunning views of the Doon Valley and the snow-capped peaks of the Himalayas. It is awe-inspiring at sunrise or sunset.
Shedup Choepelling Temple Highlights
• Seek the blessing from the divine at the Shedup Choepelling Temple, in the Happy Valley in Mussoorie.
• Marvel at the striking Tibetan architecture in vibrant reds, golds, ornate murals, prayer wheels, and a multi-tiered pagoda roof, built by Tibetan refugees.
• Witness the enormous Buddha statue under the open sky on the temple’s veranda, radiating calm amid peak Himalayan scenery and Happy Valley.
• Take in the panoramic Himalayan and Doon Valley vistas viewed at sunrise or sunset, ideal for spiritual reflection and scenic photography.
• Visit the Tibetan literature library, offering spiritual and cultural context through Buddhist scriptures and Tibetan heritage texts.
How To Reach Shedup Choepelling Temple
By car/taxi: The Shedup Choepelling Temple is about 5 km from the Mussoorie city centre via Mall Road and NH 707A. It will take you around 25 minutes to get there.
Best Time To Visit Shedup Choepelling Temple
Peak Season (March to June):
- Weather Insights: Clear skies, mild days 10 to 25 °C, nights cooler at 5 to 15 °C
- Things to Do: Explore the outdoor complex, meditate
Moderate Season (September to November):
- Weather Insights: Crisp, clear air, daytime highs of 10 to 20 °C, nights around 2 to 8 °C
- Things to do: Seek blessings, appreciate nature
Low Season (July to September):
- Weather Insights: Heavy rain, poor visibility, with temperatures ranging from 4 to 17 °C
- Things to do: Enjoy lush greenery, nature photography
Shedup Choepelling Temple Other Essential Information
Know before you go
- Wear modest clothes and respect the decorum of the monastery.
- Do not take pictures or shoot videos inside the temple without prior permission.
- Check the timings for festivals and special prayers so you don't miss out.
- Stay patient and maintain proper queue etiquette during the festival time rush.
- Do not carry plastic or non-ecofriendly items, as the monastery authorities encourage eco-conscious behaviour.
Spin the Prayer Wheels
Glide your hand in a circle around the temple's prayer wheels, which all have the words "Om Mani Padme Hum" on them. Tibetans think that one turn of the wheel is like saying the mantra thousands of times, which gives you more blessings and cleanses your bad karma.
Meditate in the Prayer Hall
Step into the quiet main hall, where there are life-sized statues of the Buddha and the Dalai Lama. The incense gives the room a nice smell. Sit down on a cushion next to monks, look at the painted murals, and let the Himalayan view calm your breath and mind.
Light Clay Lamps at Dusk
Light small clay lamps around the temple's veranda as the sun goes down. Their light represents getting rid of darkness, both real and figurative. The smell of incense and the distant Himalayan views make the ritual a calming, soul-cleansing ceremony at dusk.
Browse the Tibetan Literature Library
Check out the temple's small library, which has Tibetan Buddhist scriptures and historical texts. It offers more than just words; it's an immersive look into lineage, philosophy, and Tibetan refugee heritage that adds cultural context to your peaceful visit.
Tourism Board Alliances
Shedup Choepelling Temple FAQs
What are the temple timings and is it open year‑round?
The Shedup Choepelling Temple in Happy Valley, Mussoorie, is open every day of the year from 7 AM to 5 PM. The best times to visit are between 5 and 12 PM and between 4 and 9 PM, when you can see the sunrise or sunset. It's open all year round, with no seasonal closures.
Is there an entry fee or permit required?
No, you don't have to pay to get in or get a special permit. Anyone, no matter what their nationality or religion is, can enter the temple grounds for free. You should say no to any attempt to collect fees on-site.
Is the temple accessible for people with mobility issues?
There are paved paths that lead to the main hall, but there isn't a formal wheelchair ramp, and some of the slopes can be hard to get up. Because the site is small, it is best to have a mobility aid or help. When you get there, check in with the locals for help.
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