The short answer
Dagpo Shedrupling Monastery: what visitors should know first
Yes, for a calm hour among the prayer halls of the Tibetan settlement. Visit respectfully, remove your shoes where asked and ask before taking photographs inside. It is a working place of worship, so go outside prayer times if you want quiet, or during them to listen.
History and context
The story behind Dagpo Shedrupling Monastery
After 1962-63, when many Tibetans migrated to India, land on the Mainpat plateau was allotted for refugees; Wikipedia says the Home Ministry gave 3,000 acres to about 1,400 immigrants. The settlement later grew into seven camps, each with its own institutions. Dagpo Shedrupling in Camp 1 is described by the Central Tibetan Administration as a branch of the Dagpo Rinpoche's monastery.
Spellings of the monastery's name vary (Dagpo, Dakpo, Dhakpo; Shedrupling, Shedupling), so look for it under any of these.
Useful facts
Dagpo Shedrupling Monastery facts at a glance
- Location
- Camp 1, Mainpat Tibetan settlement
- Faith
- Tibetan Buddhism
- Tradition
- Gelug; branch of Dagpo Rinpoche's monastery (CTA)
- Visitor note
- Shoes off; ask before photographing
- Also spelled
- Dhakpo / Dakpo Shedupling
Why it matters
Why Dagpo Shedrupling Monastery is worth your time
The Tibetan settlement at Mainpat was set up in the early 1960s, when the Indian government allotted land on the plateau to Tibetan refugees. Today there are seven camps. The monasteries are not museums: they are where the community prays, studies and marks its festivals, and the Central Tibetan Administration visited them in August 2025.
For a traveller, that makes Mainpat more than a set of viewpoints. The monastery is the clearest sign of how this plateau became home to a Tibetan community, and a respectful visit is part of what keeps that connection alive. It also explains the Tibetan designer mats and woollen goods that Surguja district names as a local specialty.
Highlights
What not to miss
- 01
The prayer hall
A quiet place to sit; time your visit to hear prayers if you can, and stay at the back.
- 02
Neighbouring monasteries
Other traditions have monasteries in nearby camps, so one morning can cover several.
- 03
The settlement setting
The monastery sits among the houses, school and co-operative buildings of a working community.
Plan your visit
How to experience it
Start in Camp 1 of the settlement, where the monastery stands. Reports from the Central Tibetan Administration describe it as a branch of the Dagpo Rinpoche's monastery. Walk in quietly, remove your shoes at the door, and take a seat if the community is at prayer. A few minutes of sitting is more rewarding than a quick tour.
The monastery is Gelug in tradition, the school most visitors associate with the Dalai Lama. Do not step over thresholds with your feet, walk clockwise around shrines and temples, and ask before photographing the interior or any monk. If someone offers you tea or a short explanation, accept with thanks.
Other monasteries of different traditions stand in nearby camps, among them Palyul Chokor Ling in Camp 1 and Pal Karma Dargye Chokor Ling in Camp 2, so a morning can easily include two or three. Walk between them if you are fit; otherwise ask your driver to take you.
Plan with confidence
Visit as a guest, not a spectator.
- Dress modestly and remove shoes where asked
- Ask before photographing people or the interior
- Walk clockwise around shrines
- Avoid loud talk during prayers
- Confirm visiting hours locally
Know before you go
Timing, access and comfort
- Area
- Camp 1, Mainpat Tibetan settlement
- Time needed
- 45-60 minutes
- Best time
- Morning, in clear weather
- Walking level
- Easy
- Senior comfort
- Mostly level walking within the settlement, but the prayer hall may involve a few steps and floor seating. Ask if a chair can be arranged. Shoes come off at the entrance, so be prepared for cold floors in winter.
- Tickets and access
- No entry fee is known. This is a working monastery, so dress modestly, remove shoes and hats where asked, ask before photographing, and do not interrupt prayers. Visiting hours are not confirmed; ask in the settlement.
Best for
Plan it with
Plan the practical part
Hotels near Dagpo Shedrupling Monastery
Staying close keeps journeys short — useful for early starts and for anyone who tires quickly.
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Travelling with parents?
Mostly level walking within the settlement, but the prayer hall may involve a few steps and floor seating. Ask if a chair can be arranged. Shoes come off at the entrance, so be prepared for cold floors in winter.
Raahzo can arrange an arrival or day companion who handles tickets, queues and pacing, and keeps the family updated.
See concierge supportFAQs
What tradition is the monastery?
Reports describe it as Gelug, a branch of Dagpo Rinpoche's monastery, in Camp 1.
Can visitors enter?
Visitors are generally welcome in the prayer hall, but behave as in any place of worship; hours are not confirmed, so ask locally.
Can I take photos?
Ask first, particularly inside the hall and of monks.
Sources and further reading
- Central Tibetan Administration: Sikyong visits Mainpat settlement (Aug 2025)
- Holidify: Mainpat sightseeing
- Wikipedia: Mainpat
Timings, fees and access rules change. Recheck with the official source before you travel.