Home Travel At Menri Monastery, Dolanji, Solan, Himachal Pradesh

At Menri Monastery, Dolanji, Solan, Himachal Pradesh

by Vidya Sury September 5, 2017 18 comments
Menri Monastery Dolanji Solan Vidya Sury

During our trip to Kasauli in Himachal Pradesh a few weeks ago, we visited the Menri Monastery, or Yung Drung Ling in Dolanji, Solan.

Long story how we got there. We had booked our tickets to Chandigarh but were undecided about which places to visit in Himachal Pradesh once we go there. We were, of course, spoilt for choice, but it was also right in the middle of the monsoons, which usually means landslides in that area. We made a number of itineraries to make the best use of the five days we had at our disposal.

I talked to friends. And while on my weekly marathon call with my BFF, she suggested Shimla.

After a lot of discussion, we finalized our trip and decided to go to Kasauli, and from there, take a day trip to Barog and Solan. On the day we arrived at Kasauli, we walked around, enjoying the little town. The next day, after a pleasant breakfast, we set out to see Manki Point, from where we headed off towards Solan via Barog. I would go into detail about these places, but today’s focus is the Menri Monastery.

Menri Monastery Dolanji Solan Vidya Sury

The beautiful front yard with the Bodhi tree and stupa

Our cabbie for the day had no idea what we meant when we said Menri Monastery. Apparently, the locals refer to it as the Buddhist monastery, which it isn’t! Finally he figured out that it is near Rajgarh, in a village called Dolanji in Solan district. It would have been easy to miss the little road diversion at Ochghat, but luckily, we stopped to ask someone and they pointed us in the right direction, which was a road of sorts. A little doubtfully, we followed the route and to our delight, arrived at our destination- the Menri Monastery.

Menri Monastery Dolanji Solan Vidya Sury

Sign on the way to the Menri Monastery

After we got off our car, we followed the wall of the monastery to its gate, and what we saw there literally took our breath away.

Menri Monastery Dolanji Solan Vidya Sury

The colors took our breath away!

The brilliant colors of the monastery’s buildings against the backdrop of the skies and shades of green from any vantage point formed a serene setting. Utter peace reigns, with the occasional ringing of a gong.

I was amused to see the young monks going about their day, headphones in their ears and was curious to know what they were listening to. Some ran down the steps leading up to the monastery from the shopping area below.

It was charming to see that everyone we came across had a sweet smile and a nod, as if we were old friends.

This beautiful monastery has an interesting history.

The original Menri Monastery was established in 1405 in Tsang, Tibet, as the main Bon monastery. When its founder, Tonpa Shenrab went to Kongpo, he took a break at Tobgyel. The story goes that he left a footprint in a rock, saying that the future of the monastery would be there. The mountains behind and around Menri monastery are full of medicinal plants and medicinal springs and Menri gets its name from this, meaning “medicine mountain”.

Menri Monastery Dolanji Solan Vidya Sury

View from the monastery-fields as far as the eye could see, and beyond, the valley and the mountain range.

Sadly, the original Menri monastery at Tibet was destroyed and Bon followers reestablished their spiritual center at Dolanji, naming it after the monastery in Tibet. The area is also called Tobgyel Sarpa after the village Tobgyel which was near the ancient monastery of Menri in the Tsang province of Tibet.

Menri Monastery Dolanji Solan Vidya Sury

Bon religion dates back to the 7th century, and originated around the same time as Buddhism. It is the oldest spiritual traditon of Tibet. Bon had to fight for its identity, and in 1978, the Dalai Lama acknowledged it as a school with its own doctrine and practices during his visit to the monastery. Those who follow Bon are called Bonpo and wear dark maroon robes with a royal blue vest, unlike Buddhist monks who wear yellow and orange robes.

Menri Monastery Dolanji Solan Vidya Sury

When the Chinese occupied Tibet in 1959, a large number of Tibetans fled from there and many were Bonpo. Most of the residents at the present-day Menri monastery are originally from the Kailash Mansarovar and Tsang regions. In 1969, steered by the abbot of Yungdrung Ling, the second most important Bon monastery of Tibet, the followers of Bon at Dolanji elected their Abbot,  Menri Trizin thirty third Lungtok Tenpai Nyima and he’s now the head of all the Bon monasteries and institutions worldwide.

Menri Monastery Dolanji Solan Vidya Sury

Here is an excerpt from Tibetan gYung-Drung Bon Monastery in India by Lopon Tenzin Namdak, Dolanji, 1983

According to tradition, Bon originated in the land of Olmo Lungring, located in a larger country known as Tazig. Ol symbolizes the unborn; Mo the undiminishing; Lung the prophetic words of Tonpa Shenrab, the founder of Bon; and Ring his everlasting compassion.

Olmo Lungring constitutes one-third of the existing world and is situated to the west of Tibet. It is described as an eight-petalled lotus under a sky which appears as an eight-spoked wheel. In the center rises Mount gYung-Drung Gutseg, which symbolizes permanence, indestructibility, and the Nine Ways of Bon.

At the base of Mount gYung-Drung spring four rivers flowing towards the four cardinal directions. The mountain is surrounded by temples, cities, and parks. To the south lies the palace Barpo Sogye where Tonpo Shenrab was born. To the west and north are the palaces in which the wives and children of Tonpa Shenrab lived. The temple Shampo Lhatse is to the east. The complex of palaces, rivers, and parks with Mount gYung-Drung in the center constitutes the inner region of Olmo Lungring. The intermediate region consists of twelve cities, four of which are aligned with the cardinal directions. The third region includes what is known as the outer land. These three regions are encircled by an ocean and by a range of snowy mountains.

Access to Olmo Lungring is gained by the arrow way, which takes its name from an episode in the life of Tonpa Shenrab who, before visiting Tibet, is said to have shot an arrow to create a passage through a previously impenetrable mountain range.

Some scholars relate this traditional description of Olmo Lungring to Mount Kailash and the four great rivers which spring from its base. Others believe it may refer to the geography of the Middle East and Persia at the time of Cyrus the Great. To the Bonpo, specific geographic identification is less important than the mythological origins of their religion. As Lopon Tenzin Namdak has pointed out, symbolic descriptions which combine history, geography, and mythology are well-known in ancient scriptures.

From: Opening the Door To Bön, Snow Lion Publications, 2005

Historical Bön texts state very clearly that the holy mountain Mount Kailash was in the center of the Kingdom of Zhang Zhung, which was the closest neighboring kingdom to Tibet and existed until the end of the eighth century. Zhang Zhung was integrated into Tibet after the death of the Emperor Ligmincha, its last ruler. In early times the Kingdom of Zhang Zhung extended from what is today the upper part of western Tibet, through parts of Nepal, northern India (Ladhak, Zangskar, Kinnaur, Spiti, etc.), to Pakistan (Kashmir) and to China (the Karakoram area). Most of the Bön teachings have been translated from the Zhang Zhung language into Tibetan.

Mount Kailash is a holy place for Bönpos and is blessed by the Zhang Zhung deity Me Ri. The Me Ri teachings were among the main practices of the Zhang Zhungpa (people of Zhang Zhung) and were later introduced into Tibet. The lineage of this practice has been preserved, and it continues to the present time.

At the Menri Monastery, Dolanji, Solan in Himachal Pradesh

Secluded from the city, the Menri monastery overlooks the valley and is a hub for religious learning and rituals. From being a basic facility in 1998 with a hundred monks, the temple complex has grown to 350 residents, with a number of buildings built in Tibetan style, including a library, main temple, dormitories for the monks, Bon Dialectic School, a health center, a nunnery and more.

Menri Monastery Dolanji Solan Vidya Sury

Would you not love to lose yourself in this library?

It is a self-contained township in itself. Today, the monastery is overseen by the 33rd Abbot of Menri, His Holiness Lungtok Tenpai Nyima Rinpoche, who supervises all its affairs and is also considered the worldwide spiritual leader of the Bonpos and the Yungdrung Bon Monastic Center.

Menri Monastery Dolanji Solan Vidya Sury

Across the river, the new Redna Menling Nunnery, which means “Land of Precious Medicine” is also headed by His Holiness. This is the only bonbo nunnery India where girls and women can now study for 18 years to become Geshema and teach the Dharma or Bön.

The monastery also looks after and educates more than 370 children from Nepal and Tibet. Located in the valley below the monastery, the Central School for Tibetans is run by the Indian government and the curriculum is the Bön educational program. The children stay in the Bon Children’s Home in the Menri Complex in the dormitories. The boys are trained as monks and girls are placed in the nunnery to be trained as nuns. While leaving the monastery, we saw the children in the school grounds, happily doing the drill.

There is a new temple at the Menri complex, the “Yogi-Yogini temple” where people from the Dolanji community and visitors can stay and learn. I wish we had known about this earlier and would have loved to have stayed there. Perhaps next time!

The monks’ dorms

I didn’t know this, but apparently the Tibetan prayer flags originate from the ancient Bon culture. They symbolize the union and balance of the five elements, and are believed to transmit prayer and acknowledge the divine.

Menri Monastery Dolanji Solan Vidya Sury

We saw quite a few monkeys there—they are everywhere in Himachal Pradesh.

Menri Monastery Dolanji Solan Vidya Sury

We took the steps back to the entrance to meet our car, and on the way, saw this court, where a few young monks were dribbling with a ball, while others just stood around and chatted.

Menri Monastery Dolanji Solan Vidya Sury

Steps leading to the entrance and the basketball court on the right.

What a wonderful trip! I could have just stood there and looked at the views all day!

Menri Monastery Dolanji Solan Vidya Sury

Serenity everywhere

Our drive back to Solan was beautiful—but then driving anywhere in Himachal Pradesh is a treat. We passed a number of orchards and our driver told us that in Ochghat he has undergone training to be a farmer.

Menri Monastery Dolanji Solan Vidya Sury

I will definitely visit the monastery again, and this time, make arrangements to stay there before I arrive. I hear that there is a huge statue of Shenrab Mibo in the monastery.

Menri Monastery Dolanji Solan Vidya Sury

It is a pity we couldn’t go inside the temple, watch the young monks pray, and share a meal with them. We heard that New Year’s Eve is celebrated with much zest, with performances of the Cham and Bon dances and I do hope we make it there during that time.

Notes:

The Menri Monastery is in Dolanji, about 15 kilometers from Solan along the Occhaghat-Narag road. It is better to ask at different points to avoid missing the kaccha road that leads to the monastery. If going by car, can take it all the way up to the parking lot right outside the monastery complex’s gate. Of course you can also take the stairs leading up to the monastery.

Menri Monastery Dolanji Solan Vidya Sury

Chandigarh is the nearest airport and one could take a cab directly from there to Menri – approx. 70 kilometers.

Other places to see on the way are the famous Jatoli Temple and Shoolini Devi temple from which Solan gets its name. We didn’t go up there as we were running short on time, and instead, satisfied ourselves by clicking a photo from the winding road. The architecture looks beautiful. T

Definitely carry water. The weather was supposed to be wet—but it turned out to be a scorching day and we congratulated ourselves for carrying several bottles of water. Habit.

The problem with Himachal Pradesh is always this: one wants to stop often to see beautiful places that are not listed anywhere. The good news is, there’s so much left to see—always.

Where did you travel recently?

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18 comments

Nabanita Dhar September 6, 2017 at 11:25 am

How I wish I could go there and spend some peaceful days! Being brought up in the hills my heart longs for it but somehow there is just no time or opportunity. Sigh!

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NEHA JAIN September 6, 2017 at 4:36 pm

What a wonderful post, mam. We went Kasauli on our last anniversary and it was just one night stay there so could not visit other nearby places. I loved this place and would visit again. The other place, which we recently visited is ‘Kasol’ and if you wish to spend some time off from the city life, then, it is a place to be.
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Galen Pearl September 6, 2017 at 6:03 pm

I love all your posts, Vidya, but your travel posts are my favorites. Your descriptions and photos take me right there. Several times your travel posts have spurred me to do further research. Like this one–I’m going to learn more about the Bon tradition, which I had never even heard of. Thank you for educating me as well as delighting me.

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Vidya Sury September 6, 2017 at 7:40 pm

Thank you, Galen! You know, I fantasize about making a trip with you to one of these enchanting monasteries. This one was stunning, even from the outside. In fact, Himachal Pradesh has several centuries-old monasteries.

The Bon is an ancient religion unique to Tibet and there is quite a bit of information available about it via books. I love the story of the Shangri-la-like place they describe!

There’ll be more travel posts from my recent trip! Hugs!

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Steps Together September 6, 2017 at 8:01 pm

Lovely post.. thanks for sharing,,

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The Untourists September 6, 2017 at 8:33 pm

Looks lovely I think this is where we were, 2 years ago, while looking for. Monastery to shoot in…

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SHALINI BAISIWALA September 7, 2017 at 9:45 am

I didnt know about Bon as a religion; I believed that all monasteries practice Buddhism!! Learnt something new today- thanks Vidya.
Stunning pics and this place looks like a jewel to be visited on my next trip there. Thanks so much for sharing this!

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Amitabha Gupta September 7, 2017 at 12:15 pm

Nice and informative post. I was not aware of this monastery at Solang.

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Mann September 7, 2017 at 3:19 pm

Nice post Vidya ji. I’ll visit the place.😊

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Birgit September 7, 2017 at 8:52 pm

You know, reading this and looking at the pictures of this beautiful, magical place, made me feel a bit calmer. I have pneumonia and my mom is not good and I am praying she doesn’t pass away before I can see her so this post…calmed me. I just keep looking at the photos and the beautiful painting of this monastery….I’d love to spend time there.

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Sonali Dalal September 8, 2017 at 8:17 am

Wonderful write up. Enjoyed the journey with you

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Soumya September 8, 2017 at 6:00 pm

Oh so beautiful and such a rich history behind it. This post is so informative and I feel like planning a trip this side soon. Unfortunately, I’m going to the other side next month.

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Vidya Sury September 8, 2017 at 6:07 pm

If you’re heading to the northeast, there’s plenty to see there, too! <3 hugs! Some day it would be great to head off somewhere together no?
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Renu Jinturkar September 8, 2017 at 9:56 pm

Loved your travel story Vidya! The medicine mountain reminded me of “Sanjeevani Parbat” from Ramayana. 🙂 Thanks for sharing.

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Asha September 9, 2017 at 1:00 pm

Wonderful narration Vidya. Thanks for the virtual tour

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The Red Handed September 10, 2017 at 8:19 am

You literally transported me there. I have been wanting a vacation so bad! I even though of Byllakuppe in Coorg just to get some peace!

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Vidya Sury September 10, 2017 at 5:54 pm

Hey Red! It was a beautiful place and I really regret not knowing one could stay there. Can you believe I haven’t been to Bylekuppe? Keep on planning but somehow gets stalled. Hope to visit before this year is through!

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Himalaya Journey September 5, 2019 at 1:27 pm

It is lovely place. I love it. Thanks for sharing it with us.

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