Snapshots
There are many Buddhist monasteries in Spiti. Going to one is usually a great way to relax and unwind, and reconnect with your spirituality! Anyone visiting Spiti should make time to see the sacred chanting and spiritual prayers. If you are interested in Buddhism or are a devout believer, you can base your vacation around one of nine monasteries. Go see the sacred idols and immerse yourself in the spiritual atmosphere of the monasteries in Spiti Valley! Going to monasteries in Spiti is an experience of a lifetime, and it should not be missed!
Dhankar
Located in the Lahaul and Spiti area of Himachal Pradesh, India, Dhankar Monastery goes by several names: Dankhar, Drangkhar, and Dhangkar Gompa. With its breathtaking vantage point over Spiti valley, the monastery sits precariously on a rock at an astonishing elevation of 12,774 feet. One of the world's 100 most endangered monuments, Dhankar Monastery was built a thousand years ago on a thousand-foot peak and offers breathtaking views of the confluence of the Spiti and Pin rivers. This os one of the best monasteries in Spiti Valley!
The monastery has grown popular as a tourist attraction due to its status as a major hub of Buddhist art and culture. The Dhankar Hompa is home to stunning scenery as well as a little museum with texts and paintings, as well as a statue of the Dhayan Buddha. Approximately 150 Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhist monks call the newly constructed monastery in the town of Shichilling their home. The Dhankar Lake is reached after a 2-kilometer trek from the monastery. Truly one of the most scenic monasteries in Spiti!
Key Monastery
Key Monastery, one of Spiti Valley's major attractions, has landed above Lahaul Spiti Monastery for all the correct reasons. Among the oldest and most famous monasteries in the Spiti Valley of Himachal Pradesh, this one stands out. This magnificent monastery overlooks the Spiti River and the snow-capped Himalayas from its perch on a hilltop at 13,668 feet in elevation. Dromton established the monastery while he was a student of a renowned Buddhist teacher.
Fantastical in design, this monastery in Spiti is a Buddhist temple in the Tibetan tradition with hints of Indian and Chinese architecture. Additionally, the monastery is well-known as a Buddhist teaching institution, hosting the annual training of around 3,000 Buddhist Lamas. The monastery is shaped like a three-story fort, with a central tower that holds a Buddha statue. Stunning thangkas, murals, and paintings adorn the walls of the monastery. This is one of the best monasteries in Spiti Valley!
Tabo
One of the first monasteries in Spiti Valley, the Tabo Monastery stands imposingly at an impressive altitude of 10,000 feet. Actually, it has been in continuous operation since its foundation, making it the oldest monastery in India and the Himalayas. The 'Ajanta of the Himalayas' is the name given to this stunning Buddhist monastery.
The term comes from the fact that the monastery's walls are adorned with intriguing murals and old paintings, similar to those found in Maharashtra's Ajanta Caves. Perched serenely on the dazzling Spiti River's left bank, the Tabo Monastery takes great pride in preserving the rich cultural heritage of Buddhism via its beautiful frescoes, stuccos, paintings, and murals.
The task of maintaining and preserving this monument, which is historically significant in Buddhist culture, has been taken up by the Archaeological Survey of India. Situated in the frigid Tabo Valley desert and encircled by lofty mud brick walls, this culturally important historic monument is cherished by Buddhist monks and ranks second only to Tibet's Tholing Gompa in terms of extent (6300 sq. km.). The Tabo Monastery, constructed by the venerable Buddhist king Yeshe-O, is today a cherished gem for the Buddhist community, and is one of the highest monasteries in Spiti!
Lahaul Monastery
Founded in the 14th century by the revered Buddhist teacher Tsongkhapa, Lahaul Monastery (Tangyud Gompa) has been instrumental in the spread of Buddhism in Spiti Valley ever since its construction for the purpose of Buddhist study and meditation.
Sitting on a hill at an elevation of 4,587 meters above sea level, the Lahaul Spiti monastery is one of the highest monasteries in Spiti. Worldwide, Buddhists revere this sacred site as a haven of spiritual solace amidst the harsh and desolate Himalayan landscape. One of the most distinctive monasteries in Spiti, the Lahaul Spiti monastery is well-known not just for its cultural importance but also for its distinctive architectural style. Built like a fortress with massive walls and watchtowers to ward off hostile invaders and the severe weather, the monastery follows a style that combines elements of both Indian and Tibetan architecture. Stunning thangkas and paintings depicting scenes from the Buddha's life adorn the walls.
Gandhola Monastery
About twenty kilometres outside of Keylong in Himachal Pradesh's Lahaul Spiti District sits the Gandhola Monastery, whose other name is Guru Ghantal Gompa. Gandhola Monastery, established by Padma Sambhava around 800 years ago, is the oldest monastery in the Lahaul area. It is perched on the summit of Tupchiling Village, at the junction of the Chandra and Bagha Rivers. Its wooden idols are distinctive from the clay ones seen in every other monastery and have brought it fame.