Jirang Buddhist Monastery
Nestled amidst the hills near Chandragiri in Gajapati District, Jirang Buddhist Monastery, known as the Mini Tibet of Odisha, is a serene destination for spirituality, culture, and natural beauty. The five-storey Jirang Buddhist Temple, built in the Odantapuri style by Tibetan architects, stands on 10 acres and features the Padmasambhava Mahavihara with an idol of Guru Padmasambhava. The foundation stone was laid by the Dalai Lama in 1998, and construction was completed in 2008 at an estimated cost of ₹8 crore.
The monastery houses the Guru Padmasambhava School and a Tibetan Education School, preserving Buddhist philosophy and culture. Around 200 monks and devotees reside here, practicing meditation, yoga, and spiritual studies. Visitors are drawn to the gardens, medicinal plant collection, 23-ft Buddha statue, 17-ft Padmasambhava statue, and the ancient shrine at the entrance.
