Visiting The Monastery
Restricted Area
Dzogchen Monastery is located within the Dhondenling Tibetan settlement, Kollegal, South India.
All Tibetan settlements in India are located within government-restricted areas and Indian law requires that all foreign nationals possess a Protected Area Permit (PAP) before visiting.
Located within the beautiful countryside of Karnataka state, close to the borders of Tamil Nadu and Kerala, Dzogchen Monastery is surrounded by an impressive mountain range, coffee plantations and an animal reserve that protects many endangered species of wildlife. You are welcome to visit Dzogchen Monastery to experience its spiritual environment. The Monastery Guest House has comfortable, clean rooms available for your stay.
In order to maintain the sacred monastic environment, all visitors must request permission from the monastery office, before planning a visit.
To request permission, contact dzogchenmonastery@dzogchen.org.in
Further more, in accordance with Indian law, all foreign visitors (non-Indian and non-Tibetan nationals) are required to have a Protected Area Permit (see the 'restricted area' box). It is recommended that PAP applications be made at least 4 months prior to the intended visit.
Visitors will not be permitted to stay if they have not received prior permission from the monastery office and do not have the mandatory PAP.
Applying for your Protected Area Permit
You can apply for a PAP directly from the Ministry of Home Affairs in India or via the Indian Missions in your home countries.
Contact details for The Ministry of Home Affairs in Dehli:
To apply for your PAP you will require:
- Your completed Protected Area Permit application form (available for download as a MS-Word document or as a PDF form)
- Copy of your passport bio-data page (the page with your photograph)
- Two passport photographs
- Copy of valid Indian visa
Note: The answer to question 13, "Places proposed to be visited" should read "Dzogchen Monastery, Kollegal Tibetan Settlement"
