Chandragiri itinerary

Plan 01

1 day in Chandragiri

1. 01

   Day 1: Monastery and settlement

   Leave Taptapani or Berhampur early so you reach Jirang for the morning prayers, then spend an hour in the Padmasambhava Mahavihara. Walk through the Tibetan camps with a local guide, have tea and momos in the bazaar and look at the handicrafts. Return before dark; hill roads are poorly lit.

   Stop	Time needed	Walking	Best time
   Padmasambhava Mahavihara (Jirang Monastery)	1.5 to 2 hours, longer if you stay for prayers	Moderate	November to February; arrive for the morning prayers and before the midday lunch closure

   Pace: Moderate walking today — plan a sit-down break between stops.

   With parents at Padmasambhava Mahavihara (Jirang Monastery): The approach and courtyard are open and mostly level, but the building is five storeys and moving between halls involves steps. Seating is limited, so take a cushion or ask staff about a bench for prayers.

Plan 02

2 days in Chandragiri

1. 01

   Day 1: Taptapani and the road in

   Stop at Taptapani's hot spring, spend the night at the Odisha Tourism lodge and rest. This avoids a long single-day drive from the coast.

2. 02

   Day 2: Chandragiri

   Drive about 26 km to Chandragiri for the monastery's morning prayers and the settlement walk. Call at the forest office to ask about a short outing in the Lakhari Valley sanctuary, then head back by afternoon.

Plan 03

3 days in Chandragiri

1. 01

   Day 1: Taptapani

   Drive up from Berhampur, bathe in the hot spring and rest at the lodge.

2. 02

   Day 2: Monastery, settlement and bazaar

   Reach Jirang for morning prayers, walk the Tibetan camps with a guide and shop for crafts in the bazaar.

3. 03

   Day 3: Forest or Mahendragiri

   Either spend the morning on the Lakhari Valley birding route, arranged through the forest office, or take a long day to Mahendragiri via Paralakhemundi if you want a pilgrimage and hill viewpoint.

   Stop	Time needed	Walking	Best time
   Mahendragiri	A full day from Paralakhemundi or Berhampur	Moderate	Winter; avoid the monsoon months and plan Shivaratri visits carefully

   Pace: Moderate walking today — plan a sit-down break between stops.

   With parents at Mahendragiri: The summit can be reached by a motorable road, but the temples involve steps and uneven stone paths. There are few facilities, so take water, food and a companion.

Read before you go

Guides for the stops on these routes

Pacing

Pacing a Chandragiri trip for parents and children

• Break the journey with a night at Taptapani instead of driving from Berhampur and back in one day.
• Visit the monastery for the morning prayers and avoid the midday closure.
• Carry water, snacks, medicines and cash; shops and pharmacies are limited.
• Choose a car with good ground clearance and a driver used to hill roads.
• Use the toilet at your lodge or the monastery before starting out; public toilets are scarce.
• Roads: Roads from Taptapani and Berhampur are narrow and winding, and they become difficult in the monsoon. Use a driver who knows them and avoid driving after dark.

Chandragiri with elderly parents: the full guide →