Tenzin Nyidon
DHARAMSHALA, Sept. 19: The revered Tibetan spiritual leader, His Holiness the Dalai Lama, is scheduled to visit Tashi Lhunpo Monastery in Bylakuppe, Karnataka, South India, this winter, according to an official communication from the Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama dated September 17, 2026.
The letter addressed to the Khenpo Rinpoche and officials of Tashi Lhunpo Monastery states that the nonagenarian leader is expected to travel to South India during the winter and that his stay will, as in previous years, be at the monastery. The Office stated the exact dates and programme of the visit will be communicated later.
The upcoming visit follows the Tibetan spiritual leader’s regular winter sojourns in southern India, where he meets devotees and monastic communities and takes part in religious ceremonies, teachings, and other spiritual engagements.
During his most recent winter visit, His Holiness the Dalai Lama travelled to Mundgod in Karnataka on December 12, 2025, arriving at Drepung Gomang Monastery in the Doeguling Tibetan Settlement. He remained there for 60 days before departing for Delhi on February 9, 2026.
His stay in Mundgod included several major religious engagements. On December 24, 2025, he attended an enthronement ceremony and long-life prayers offered by Drepung and Rato monasteries at Drepung Lachi Monastery. He also attended the annual winter debate at Drepung Gomang Debate Hall in January 2026.
Tashi Lhunpo Monastery in Bylakuppe is one of the major Tibetan monastic institutions established in exile and serves as the traditional monastic seat of the Panchen Lamas. The monastery has previously hosted His Holiness for religious ceremonies and teachings, making the forthcoming winter visit significant for the monastic community and Tibetan settlements in southern India.
