Palpung Sherabling Monastery: Where Stillness Finds You

Just a short drive from Bir Billing — through pine forests, fluttering prayer flags, and the faint scent of incense — lies Palpung Sherabling Monastery, one of the most spiritually important Buddhist locations in India.

This isn’t just another tourist spot. This is where you feel silence.

Along with the nearby Chokling and Nyingyang Monasteries, it is one of the pillars of the local Tibetian community.

A Forested Sanctuary Built for Stillness

Hidden inside the Bhatu pine forest, 5–7 km from Bir, the monastery sits peacefully amidst tall trees and pure mountain air.

The journey itself feels meditative — winding roads, cool winds, and the distant echo of prayer drums.

The noise of the world disappears. In the offseason months, going up is a special treat.

Magnificent Tibetan Architecture (and the Golden Maitreya)

The monastery complex is expansive — roughly three acres of temples, shrines, prayer halls, stupas, living quarters and retreat homes.

Inside the main prayer hall, you’ll see:

• A two-storey golden statue of Maitreya (the future Buddha)

• Painted walls depicting Buddhist teachings

• Bright mandalas and traditional woodwork

The space radiates devotion without saying a word.

Spiritual Life & Monastic Community

Sherabling is not just a monastery — it’s a center of spiritual study that is as modern as it is rooted in centuries old traditions.

Within the complex, you’ll find:

• A Buddhist university

• Schools for young monks

• A hospital and old age home

• A small café and a monastery-run gift shop

More than 500 monks reside here, and the energy you feel is the energy of disciplined lives lived in simplicity.

If you’re lucky, you may witness monks practicing ritual masked dance or chanting alongside drums and long Tibetan horns.

Losar Festival — Four Days of Celebration

Timing: In late February or early March, Bir celebrates the first day of the Tibetan lunar year. Losar marks the start of the lunar year, loaded with spiritual renewal, cultural performances, feasting, and family gatherings.

Rituals like butter lamps, prayer flags, masked dances, and traditional food, symbolizing fresh beginnings and good fortune.

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.

A Slow-Travel Experience — Not Just a Checklist

Most visitors spend at least 2–3 hours inside the Sherabling grounds.

Ideal time to visit: Early morning or just before sunset.

You can:

• Walk the campus loop trail

• Spend quiet time in the gardens

• Sit with tea in the monks' café

• Meditate or journal in silence

Phones naturally stay in pockets. Silence does the talking here.

Practical Information

Detail	Info
Distance from Bir	5–7 km (10–15 mins by road)
Opening hours	8:30 AM – 4:30 PM (campus closes ~6 PM)
Entry fee	Free
Photography	Allowed respectfully (not during ceremonies)
Best route	Ask locals for “Sherabling Forest Road” — the most scenic one

No permits required. Just respect the space as a place of worship.

A Gentle Tip for Travellers

Walk slowly. Sit somewhere and do nothing.

This monastery isn’t a place you see. It’s a place you feel.

Where to Stay — If You Want the Perfect Bir Billing Experience

If you enjoy the monastery and are drawn to slow, meaningful travel, choose accommodation that matches that rhythm.

Some travellers prefer crowded hostels near the landing site.

Others prefer privacy, views, and comfort.

As travellers who’ve lived in Bir for over a decade, 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

After a morning at Sherabling, sinking into a warm outdoor pool with mountain air around you feels like the perfect full-circle moment.

Contact us to live at one of Bir's best locations.

Bir gives peace.Moonshine gives you space to enjoy it.