Happy Valley

The Happy Valley in Mussoorie holds a high significance in Mussoorie as is an integral part of the culture of Mussoorie now. It is located at a distance of 2.5 km from the Mussoorie the Library Bus Stand near the Indian Administrative Services Academy and about 42 km from ISBt Dehradun. 

The Happy Valley has a Tibetan Monastery which is established since 1959 when the 14th Dalai Lama took refuge in Mussoorie. Since then this place has been home to an approximate of 5000 refugees and is a very famous sightseeing destination of Mussoorie. The Happy Valley has been here since the Tibetan government-in-exile moved to Dharamshala in Himachal Pradesh while Dalai Lama leaving behind a large community in Mussoorie.

This community has been prospering and spreading the teachings of Buddha in Mussoorie ever since. The Tibetan Home Foundation and the Buddhist Temple here is a legacy given by the beautiful Tibetan culture to the hill station of Mussoorie. The Indian Government has always been very welcoming and supportive to the Tibetan refugees in India, therefore in 1960, the Indian Government opened up central School for Tibetans for the Tibetan Children in the Happy Valley which stands tall as a very reputed school here. Mahapandit Rahul Sankrityayan, also known as the father of Hindi travel literature and stayed here with his family for a couple of years.

The Shedup Choephelling Temple is situated in the highest point of the Happy Valley on the top of a cliff. This was one of the first Tibetan Shrine built in India by the Dalai Lama. It is a great reflection of Tibetan architecture. This temple has a very holy significance amongst the people of Mussoorie and Dehradun. It houses prayer wheels and a plethora of idols of Lord Buddha. It also has a meditation hall. The entire temple is carved with beautiful paintings on the walls, panels and on the ceiling. The temple also provides a picturesque view of the Benog Hill circuit, Dalai Hills and Hathipao.