Palpung Sherabling Monastery, Bir: A Visitor's Guide
Updated: Oct 8
Updated October 2026
Palpung Sherabling (also spelt Sherab Ling) is a large Tibetan Buddhist monastery set in pine forest a short drive from Bir.
It's the seat of the 12th Tai Situ Rinpoche in India. Visitors are welcome to walk the grounds, see the shrine halls and sit quietly. Entry is free, and two to three hours here are enough to walk around and take in the experience.
Before you go
Where: in the pine forest near Keori and Bhattu villages, about 5–7 km from Bir (15–20 minutes by road)
Open: roughly 8:30 am–4:30 pm for the shrine halls; the grounds close around 6 pm
Entry: free
Photos: fine on the grounds; not inside the prayer halls or during ceremonies
Wear: shoulders and knees covered; shoes off inside the shrine halls
Best time of day: early morning, or the hour before sunset
A monastery built in a forest
The 12th Tai Situpa founded Sherabling in 1975, with monks who had followed him from Derge and Nangchen in eastern Tibet. It belongs to the Palpung tradition of the Karma Kagyu school. The name links it to Palpung, the great monastery in Tibet that the Tai Situpas led for centuries.
Over five decades the community has spread across about 3 acres of pine forest on three ridges facing south.
There are three shrine halls, a mandala temple, a stupa temple with eight commemorative stupas, monks' quarters and retreat houses tucked into the trees. His Holiness the Dalai Lama last visited in 2015.
What to see at Sherabling
The main shrine hall: gilded statues, painted walls and rows of cushions where the monks chant. A large statue of Maitreya, the future Buddha, is the one most visitors remember.
The stupa temple: eight white stupas marking the major events of the Buddha's life
The forest paths: quiet loops between the buildings, with prayer flags strung through the pines
The monastery café: simple tea, snacks and Tibetan food, good for a pause before heading back
A living monastic community
Sherabling isn't a museum. More than 500 monks live and study here. The campus holds a university for higher Buddhist studies, a primary school for young monks, retreat houses for the traditional three-year retreat, and a health centre with an elder home and hospital. There's also an international institute for foreign students and a guest house.
You'll notice the daily rhythm: horns and drums at prayer time, young monks walking between classes, older lamas doing their circuits. If you're lucky, you might see the monks debating in the courtyard, or ritual dances on special days.
Losar and festival days
Like the other monasteries around Bir, Sherabling is busiest around Losar, the Tibetan New Year. It usually falls in February or early March, following the Tibetan lunar calendar. Expect special prayers, butter lamps, new prayer flags and big community meals.
If your trip aligns with Losar (Tibetan New Year), you will experience:
Traditional masked dances
Community feasts
Rituals like butter lamps, tying prayer flags
Traditional food
Prayers led by senior lamas
Deep spiritual ceremonies open to visitors with respect
People from across the Himalayas and the world travel here just to participate in these celebrations of tradition and belief.
How to get to Sherabling from Bir
Take a taxi, scooter or your own car from Bir towards Bhattu and Keori, then follow the road up into the forest to the monastery gate. It's 15–20 minutes from the Tibetan Colony. There's parking near the entrance. Walkers can do it in about an hour and a half each way on village roads, a lovely way to arrive if the weather is cool.
Many visitors combine it with Nyingyang Monastery and the big stupa at Chokling Monastery in the Tibetan Colony, making a half-day monastery circuit. If you want to see all of them, our overview of Bir's monasteries lays out a route.
And if you're heading towards Dharamshala afterwards, the 13th-century Shiva temple in Baijnath is well worth the visit.
Visiting respectfully
Walk clockwise around stupas and shrine halls
Keep your voice low, and switch your phone to silent
Don't point your feet towards the altar or the lamas when sitting
Ask before photographing monks
Small donations at the shrine are welcome but never expected
Pairing Sherabling with a quiet stay
Sherabling is one of the reasons we chose the quieter side of Bir. Our villa in Kotli is a short drive away.
Many guests visit at opening time, come back for breakfast, and spend the afternoon on a guided yoga or breathwork session in our yoga hall.
If you'd like that kind of slow day, check out our Sherabling is one of the reasons we chose the quieter side of Bir. Our villa in Kotli is a short drive away.
Our little hill resort — Moonshine Villa — is designed for people who appreciate:
Heated pool and cold pool (rare in Bir!)
Large, open spaces surrounded by nature
Quiet luxury — not crowded tourism
Frequently asked questions
Can you stay overnight at Sherabling Monastery?
Sherabling has a guest house, mainly used by visitors attending teachings, retreats and courses. Rooms are limited and simple, so contact the monastery well in advance. If you're simply sightseeing, it's easier to stay in Bir and visit for a few hours.
Is Sherabling the same as "Bhattu monastery"?
Locals sometimes give directions to Sherabling by the nearby village of Bhattu, so you may hear it called that. On maps, search "Palpung Sherabling Monastic Seat".
Can I attend a teaching or learn meditation here?
Sherabling runs Buddhist study and retreat programmes, some through its international institute for foreign students. Schedules change through the year, so check the monastery's own announcements. For shorter courses in Bir, Deer Park Institute is often the easier option.
Which is better: Sherabling or Chokling?
They're different experiences. Chokling is in the middle of the Tibetan Colony and easy to visit on foot. Sherabling is larger, set in forest, and feels much more secluded. If you only have time for one and want quiet, choose Sherabling.
Is it open during Losar?
Yes, and it's one of the best times to visit, though some prayers and areas may be reserved for the monastic community. Go early, dress warmly and follow the monks' lead.
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