Multiple Hindu temples in India are no surprise as 80% of the population of this enigmatic country profess Hinduism. Mosques are common too, and even Catholic churches, though a rarity, can still be found. But it`s pretty tricky to imagine a host of Buddhist temples and the scale of their sizes within an area where only a few per cents of the locals are Buddhists. That is why it is worth visiting one of such Buddhist monasteries in the suburbs of the city of Dehradun which is also the biggest institute of Buddhism in India.

The Mindrolling Monastery was built in 1965 by Buddhist monks. It is one of the six functioning monasteries of the Nyingma school and the biggest Buddhist center in the world. The view from its windows is particularly splendid and picturesque, and the reign of silence is interrupted only by a soft noise of the footsteps of local mischiefs – small monkeys. The title of the monastery, «Mindrolling» means «The Island of Liberation» and that explains what it was created for and what the people that live there, monks and masters, are practicing. From the first glance, the complex strikes you with its colors and sizes as all buildings within its premises are colorful and huge, and perfectly green lawns and century-old trees only enhance the effect.

The main monastery and the center of spiritual practices is an ideal example of a mix between Tibetan and Japanese architecture styles, with multicolored columns and carved windows. The interiors of the halls are abundantly decorated with frescoes and can dazzle you with incredibly creative combinations of colors and patterns. An equally surprising companion of the main monastery is a snow-white stupa 70 meters high named «The Great Peace Stupa». It was opened in 2002. Now it is the biggest Buddhist stupa in the world.

Despite the rave of color predominating in the monastery, starting with the fire red clothing of the monks, here you are embraced by peace and tranquility – two magic ingredients a traveler needs to take a breath and launch out on a new trip full of surprising discoveries.