The short answer
Gothangaon Tibetan Settlement: what visitors should know first
Visit if you are interested in the Tibetan community in Maharashtra and have a car. It is a living settlement, not a tourist site, so go respectfully and keep expectations modest. The access road may be rough.
History and context
The story behind Gothangaon Tibetan Settlement
The settlement was established in 1972 and celebrated its fiftieth year in 2022. The Dalai Lama visited the camp for three days in January 2014.
Useful facts
Gothangaon Tibetan Settlement facts at a glance
- Location
- Arjuni Morgaon tehsil, Gondia district
- Established
- 1972
- Institutions
- Monastery, school, medical institute
- Population
- About 1,000
- Visitor note
- Residential community; be respectful
Why it matters
Why Gothangaon Tibetan Settlement is worth your time
Gothangaon is a small but real part of India's Tibetan story. Families settled here after the 1959 exodus, and the camp was planned in 1972 for about 3,000 people; it houses roughly a thousand today.
It matters to a traveller because it shows a different side of Gondia district: a monastery, a school and a medical institute run by a displaced community that has built its life in a forested corner of Maharashtra.
Highlights
What not to miss
- 01
Sera Jey Thekchenling Monastery
A working monastery at the settlement.
- 02
Sambhota Tibetan School
The settlement school, which now teaches up to a lower primary level.
- 03
Men Tsee Khang
The traditional Tibetan medical and astro institute.
Plan your visit
How to experience it
The Norgyeling Tibetan Settlement, known locally as the Gothangaon camp, lies in Arjuni Morgaon tehsil. It was set up in 1972 and is the only such camp in Maharashtra. Visitors can see the Sera Jey Thekchenling Monastery, the Sambhota Tibetan School and Men Tsee Khang, the traditional medical and astrology institute.
Go by private car, since the settlement is remote and the approach is a rural track. Visit in the morning and be sensible about timing around prayers and school hours. Dress modestly, and do not enter the prayer hall without being invited.
It is a community rather than an attraction, so buy only from places that offer goods openly, and do not expect cafes or organised tours.
Plan with confidence
Small decisions that make the visit easier.
- Go by private car
- Ask before photographing people
- Dress modestly and be quiet near prayers
- Do not expect shops or cafes
Know before you go
Timing, access and comfort
- Area
- About 14-15 km from Arjuni Morgaon
- Time needed
- 1-2 hours
- Best time
- Morning, in the cooler months
- Walking level
- Easy
- Senior comfort
- Visits are mostly on level ground, but the approach road has been reported as an unpaved murram track, which can be dusty or muddy.
- Tickets and access
- No entry fee or schedule is published. It is a residential community; ask permission before photographing people and keep to public areas.
Best for
Plan it with
Plan the practical part
Hotels near Gothangaon Tibetan Settlement
Staying close keeps journeys short — useful for early starts and for anyone who tires quickly.
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Travelling with parents?
Visits are mostly on level ground, but the approach road has been reported as an unpaved murram track, which can be dusty or muddy.
Raahzo can arrange an arrival or day companion who handles tickets, queues and pacing, and keeps the family updated.
See concierge supportFAQs
Is the camp open to tourists?
It is a residential community with no formal visitor programme; go respectfully.
How far is it from Navegaon?
About 15 km; a car is the practical way to get there.
Is there accommodation?
Not at the settlement. Stay in Arjuni Morgaon or near the park.
Sources and further reading
Timings, fees and access rules change. Recheck with the official source before you travel.
