Jirang (Chandragiri)

Jirang, also known as Chandragiri, is a serene village nestled in the Eastern Ghats of Gajapati district, Odisha. Established as a Tibetan settlement in 1963, it is home to the Padmasambhava Mahavihara Monastery, the largest Buddhist monastery in Eastern India, inaugurated by His Holiness the Dalai Lama in 2010. The monastery, built in the traditional Atanpuri style, features a 23-foot Buddha statue and offers panoramic views of the surrounding hills. The local Tibetan community, residing in a settlement known as Phuntsokling ("Land of Happiness and Plenty"), maintains a peaceful lifestyle amidst lush greenery and rolling hills.