The monastery is located in the Tibetan settlement of Chandragiri, which was established in 1963 for refugees from Tibet.
The project was initiated as a collaboration between the local Tibetan community and the Central Tibetan Administration.
The interior murals were painted by expert artisans brought specifically from Buddhist centers to ensure traditional accuracy.
The monastery's name, Padma Sambhava, refers to the 8th-century Indian Buddhist master who is credited with introducing Buddhism to Tibet.
The height of the monastery allows for panoramic views of the surrounding green hills of the Eastern Ghats.
It is frequently referred to as the 'Little Tibet' of Odisha due to the distinct cultural enclave surrounding the monastery.
The Padma Sambhava Maha Vihara, often called the Jirang Monastery, is the largest Buddhist monastery in Eastern India, standing at an elevation of approximately 1,500 feet in the Gajapati district of Odisha. Inaugurated in 2010 by the Dalai Lama, the five-story structure was built to serve the Tibetan refugee community settled in the nearby Chandragiri settlement. It features traditional Tibetan architecture, characterized by intricate woodwork, vibrant wall murals, and a prominent golden roof. The central prayer hall houses a 17-foot-tall statue of Lord Buddha, flanked by smaller statues of Padma Sambhava and Avalokiteshvara. The complex is constructed using concrete and stone, designed to mirror the structural aesthetics of monastic institutions in the Himalayas. The monastery serves as an active religious and educational center for monks belonging to the Gelugpa school of Tibetan Buddhism. It remains one of the most significant sites for Buddhist pilgrims and tourists in the Odisha region. The surrounding environment is defined by the hilly terrain of the Eastern Ghats, providing a secluded setting for the monastery.
The wide courtyard in front of the main temple entrance offers the best angle to capture the full architectural scale of the monastery.
Bring a pair of socks as you will be required to remove your footwear before entering the temple halls.
Maintain a quiet demeanor as the monastery is a functioning residence for monks.
Confirm local road conditions before traveling, as the route through the hills can be affected by heavy monsoon rains.
Do not attempt to touch or photograph monks without prior permission; avoid visiting during extreme heat in mid-summer.
Dress modestly, covering shoulders and knees; remove footwear before entering prayer areas; photography inside the main altar room is often prohibited.
