Zangdok Palri temple sealZangdok PalriConsecration 2028

Dundul Raptenling Monastery, Odisha

Zangdok Palri

ཟངས་མདོག་དཔལ་རི

The Glorious Copper-Coloured Mountain

A living mandala rising from the earth of Odisha — the pure land of Guru Padmasambhava, built to fulfil the vision of Kyabje Dudjom Rinpoche.

Make an offeringAttend the ceremony in 2028
Consecration & inauguration · 6 March 2028

What is being built

Not a building. A pure land, made of earth and stone and offering.

Zangdok Palri is the palace of Guru Padmasambhava — the master who carried Vajrayana Buddhism into Tibet. In the tradition it is not a metaphor. It is a place, described in detail in the terma literature, with three storeys, four gates, and a summit that dissolves into light.

Since 2017, that description has been followed in brick and concrete on a hillside in Odisha, eastern India, at the monastery His Holiness Dudjom Jigdrel Yeshe Dorje founded and Lama Sonam Tashi Rinpoche now leads. The foundation is laid. The outer structure stands. The sambhogakaya ceiling was raised in June 2023.

What remains is the part that makes a structure into a temple: colour on the outer walls, sacred murals inside, ritual objects, and gardens for the monks who will study and retreat here. That work is underway now, and it is the reason this page exists.

Nearly half the mandala is complete. The rest waits on the sangha.

A sacred project of Dundul Raptenling Monastery, supported by Vajra Lotus Foundation, a U.S. 501(c)(3).

Dusk on the mountain

Dusk on the mountain

The gold catches the last light before the lamps are lit

The copper-coloured mountain is said to stand in a sea of light. On a clear evening in Odisha it very nearly does.

The three storeys

A mountain you read from the ground up

Zangdok Palri is built in three tiers, each one a body of enlightenment. The architecture is the teaching — you ascend from the form that can be met, to the form that can be seen in meditation, to the form beyond form.

Dharmakaya

The summit

Beyond attribute, colour or edge — the truth body, from which all appearance arises. At the top of the temple, the space that holds nothing and gives rise to everything.

Sambhogakaya

The middle storey

Whose ceiling was raised in June 2023. The body of perfect enjoyment — radiant, ornamented, met by practitioners in vision and in the practices of this lineage.

Nirmanakaya

Where you will walk in

The emanation body, the form that enters the world and can be met with the eyes — Guru Rinpoche in his palace, receiving offerings and turning the wheel of Dharma.

Where the work stands

The mandala gilds as the temple rises

Six rings, six phases. A ring turns to gold when its phase is finished.

In progress

Colour, murals & sacred art

Outer temple colouring, interior painting, electrical, ritual objects.

3 of 6 phases complete. Three rings remain — each finished only by offering.

Lineage blessings

Four letters

Eminent masters of the Dudjom Tersar lineage have written in support of this project, urging the faithful to offer what they can. Their words are reproduced here in full.

His Holiness Dudjom Rinpoche

His Holiness Dudjom Rinpoche

Letter of support and rejoicing

Original letter — His Holiness Dudjom Rinpoche

For the benefit of all sentient beings and the Buddha Dharma, and through the abundant merit of these beings, His Holiness Dudjom Jigdrel Yeshi Dorji founded the sacred Dundul Raptenling Monastery in Odisha. Lama Sonam Tashi, with pure intention and deep commitment to serving the Buddha’s teachings, is now leading a plan to build an authentic Zangdok Palri there — for the flourishing of the Buddha Dharma and the benefit of all sentient beings in particular. Therefore, I sincerely urge all benefactors and generous individuals to offer whatever support they can.

Written by Sangay Pema Zhedpa, bearer of the name Dudjom Tulku, on the auspicious Descending Day of Lord Buddha in the Wood Sheep Year of the 17th Tibetan Rabjung cycle.

View the original letter ↗
His Holiness Shenphen Dawa Rinpoche

His Holiness Shenphen Dawa Rinpoche

Letter of support and rejoicing

Original letter — His Holiness Shenphen Dawa Rinpoche

Lama Sonam Tashi of Dundul Raptenling Monastery — the sacred site in Odisha blessed by His Holiness Dudjom Jigdrel Yeshi Dorji Drodul Lingpa Tsel, the representative of Guru Rinpoche — has a sincere and pure aspiration to build a new Zangdok Palri there for the flourishing of the Buddha Dharma. Therefore, I respectfully urge all faithful and generous sponsors to contribute according to your capacity.

Written by Dungse Zhenphen Dawa Norbu of Yeshe Nyingpo, New York, USA, on the auspicious waxing moon of the 11th Tibetan month in the Wood Sheep Year.

Lama Sonam Tashi of Dundul Raptenling Monastery — the sacred site in Odisha blessed by His Holiness Dudjom Jigdrel Yeshi Dorji Drodul Lingpa Tsel, the representative of Guru Rinpoche — has a sincere and pure aspiration to build a new Zangdok Palri there for the flourishing of the Buddha Dharma. Therefore, I respectfully urge all faithful and generous sponsors to contribute according to your capacity.

View the original letter ↗
His Holiness Dungse Garab Dorje Rinpoche

His Holiness Dungse Garab Dorje Rinpoche

Kind notice to all who wish to accumulate merit

Original letter — His Holiness Dungse Garab Dorje Rinpoche

As is well known, Dundul Raptenling Monastery in Odisha, East India, was established by His Holiness Jigdrel Yeshi Dorji Rinpoche. Lama Sonam Tashi, a faithful practitioner with pure intention, is now leading the effort to build a new Zangdok Palri to benefit the Buddha Dharma in general, and in particular, to renovate and further develop the sacred monastery founded by our previous Guru. I personally offer my heartfelt appreciation for this noble endeavour and sincerely urge everyone inspired to accumulate merit to extend your support in whatever way possible.

Written by the Bhutanese meditator Garab Dorje, bearer of the Dudjom lineage name.

As is well known, Dundul Raptenling Monastery in Odisha, East India, was established by His Holiness Jigdrel Yeshi Dorji Rinpoche. Lama Sonam Tashi, a faithful practitioner with pure intention, is now leading the effort to build a new Zangdok Palri to benefit the Buddha Dharma in general, and in particular, to renovate and further develop the sacred monastery founded by our previous Guru. I personally offer my heartfelt appreciation for this noble endeavour and sincerely urge everyone inspired to accumulate merit to extend your support in whatever way possible.

View the original letter ↗
His Holiness Kathok Situ Rinpoche

His Holiness Kathok Situ Rinpoche

Letter of support and rejoicing

Original letter — His Holiness Kathok Situ Rinpoche

The plan to build a new Zangdok Palri at Dundul Raptenling Monastery — established by His Holiness Jigdrel Yeshi Dorji Rinpoche and located in the sacred land of Guru Rinpoche in Odisha, India — is a noble endeavour intended for the accumulation of both merit and wisdom by all. I wholeheartedly appreciate Lama Sonam Tashi, who is leading this project, for his unwavering dedication and pure intention to bring it to fruition for the benefit of the Buddha Dharma. I respectfully request all faithful individuals who wish to engage in virtuous deeds to offer your support in whatever way you can.

— Kathok Situ Jamgon Choekyi Nyin-Jed

The plan to build a new Zangdok Palri at Dundul Raptenling Monastery — established by His Holiness Jigdrel Yeshi Dorji Rinpoche and located in the sacred land of Guru Rinpoche in Odisha, India — is a noble endeavour intended for the accumulation of both merit and wisdom by all. I wholeheartedly appreciate Lama Sonam Tashi, who is leading this project, for his unwavering dedication and pure intention to bring it to fruition for the benefit of the Buddha Dharma. I respectfully request all faithful individuals who wish to engage in virtuous deeds to offer your support in whatever way you can.

View the original letter ↗

Complete the mandala

Offer colour. Light a lamp. Plant merit.

The structure is standing. What it needs now is pigment, gold, image and garden — and hands to host the sangha when the doors open. Choose the part of the mandala you would like to complete.

Offer the final touch

Pigment for the outer temple walls and the sacred murals within, and the gardens that will surround them — the work that turns a structure into a palace.

Join the monthly butter lamp offering

A lamp lit in your name each month, or dedicated to someone living or departed. Names are kept at the temple and recited by the monks.

Sponsor a statue

Underwrite a named statue for the temple interior — a deity, a lineage master, or a figure from the retinue of Guru Rinpoche, made by traditional artisans.

Sponsor the ceremony

Support the consecration itself in March 2028 — the rites, the ritual offerings, and the hosting of the sangha and pilgrims who will gather for it.

Demo — offering amounts and payment routes are being finalised; no payment is processed.

6 March 2028

The doors open

When the mandala is complete, the temple will be consecrated and opened to practitioners and pilgrims — a global gathering of the Nyingma, Dudjom Tersar and Chöd sanghas at the site Guru Rinpoche blessed.

Register your interestPlan your visit
Where
Dundul Raptenling Monastery, Odisha, eastern India — reachable via Bhubaneswar.
What happens
Consecration rites, final dedications, ceremonial offerings and blessings for future generations.
Travelling there
Guidance on permits, homestays, transport and local guides is being prepared for pilgrims.
Register interest
Tell us you intend to come and we will send logistics as they are confirmed.

Questions

Before you offer, or before you travel

Zangdok Palri — the Glorious Copper-Coloured Mountain — is the pure land of Guru Padmasambhava. This project builds an authentic three-tiered temple embodying that pure land at Dundul Raptenling Monastery in Odisha, India.

The foundation and outer structure are complete, and the sambhogakaya ceiling was raised in June 2023 — nearly half the mandala. What remains is colour, interior murals, ritual objects and the gardens.

The project is supported by Vajra Lotus Foundation, a U.S. registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit (EIN 36-5143055). Donations may be tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.

Directly to the remaining work — pigment and gold for the walls, sacred murals, statues and ritual objects, gardens, and the hosting of the consecration.

Pilgrims are welcome at the monastery. The temple interior is an active worksite, so access is limited until the consecration in March 2028.

The site is reachable via Bhubaneswar. We are preparing guidance on permits, homestays, transport and local guides — see the Visit pages.

Lama Sonam Tashi Rinpoche, President of Dundul Raptenling Monastery and a founding director of the Vajra Lotus Foundation, at the monastery founded by His Holiness Dudjom Jigdrel Yeshe Dorje.

Yes — dedications, prayers and volunteering all have a place. Message us and we will find the right way for you to take part.

Contact

We’d love to hear from you

Questions, offerings, pilgrimage plans, or a dedication you’d like recited at the temple.

Demo form — not connected to a mail service.