Buddhist Monasteries Taxi Tours

The Namgyal Monastery which is the heart of Buddhism in the hill station of Dharamshala. The Namgyal Monastery was first established by the 3rd Dalai Lama in 1575 in Tibet and was relocated to Dharamshala following the Tibetan uprising in 1959. The monastery currently houses around 200 Tibetan monks, who help preserve the monastery’s ancient rituals, artistic skills and traditions. The Namgyal Monastery is also the home of the Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama and the largest Tibetan temple outside Tibet. This is also known as Tsuglakhang Temple. H.H. Dalai Lama visits this temple twice or thrice every year to preach and bless.

The institute is named after Norbulingka, the traditional summer residence of the H.H. Dalai Lamas in Lhasa, Tibet. The main building is a replica of the Norbulingka palace in Lhasa. Founded by the Department of Religion and Culture of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), the institute contains the Centre for Arts, the Academy of Tibetan Culture, the Literary and Cultural Research Centre and the library and publications department. The Norbulingka Foundation was established in 1995 for the preservation of ancient art practices of Tibet, especially crafts.

The Karmapa Monastery (Gyuto Monastery) is one of the most famous monasteries and specializes in the study of Tantric meditation, Tantric ritual arts and Buddhist philosophy.  Gyuto Monastery was founded in Tibet in 1474 by the main disciple of the first Dalai Lama, Jetsun Kunga Dhondup. After the communist Chinese invasion of Tibet in 1959, the monastery was re-established in Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh. Visitors can also take part in the prayers on Wednesdays and Saturdays in the Monastery.

Tashi Jong Buddhist Monastery is situated about 15 kms from Palampur. Tashi Jong is the name of the village while the name of the monastery is Khampagar Monastery. Tashi Jong Monastery is one of the school of Kagyu tradition established by 8th Khamtrul Rinpoche, Dongyu Nyima. The monastery complex houses the main temple, the stupa of Khamtrul Rinpoche, and the Yamantak Retreat Centre. Apart from being a monastery, Tashi Jong is an excellent craft emporium, where Tibetan artefacts are available.

Chokling Monastery is located in the Bir Tibetan colony and most popular monastery in Bir and houses a grand and huge stupa as well as an enthralling statue of Padmasambhava. The Chokling Monastery has a majestic view with the Billing Paragliding site in the background on the mountain

The Rewalsar Lake or Tso Pema Lotus Lake is the biggest lake in Rewalsar, 24 kms from Mandi and it has been an important destination for Hindus, Sikhs and Buddhists. The lake shares space with three Buddhist monasteries and three Hindu temples and another holy lake Kunt Bhyog lies above Rewalsar. The forest department of Rewalsar maintains a small zoo which is also worth visiting. The Sisu fair held in late February to March and the festival of Baisakhi are important events at Rewalsar. The unending sparkling beauty of the lake and its surrounding is breathtaking

Ki Buddhist Monastery is the oldest and the biggest monastery Ki-Village of Spiti. About 300 lamas are receiving their religious training in this monastery, which houses rare paintings and beautiful scriptures of Buddha and other gods and goddesses. Lamas practice dance, singing and play on pipes and horns. Ki is the repository of the rare ‘Thangka’ paintings and several ancient musical instruments – trumpets, cymbals and drums. Its library holds the manuscripts of the sacred Tangyur texts.

At the right of Spiti river, is an ancient village named Tabo, flanked on either side by lofty brown hills and sun burnt, is the seat of one of the most famous Buddhist monasteries. The monastery at present has nine temples. Four stupas along with a number of caves shrines which are used by monks for meditation and prayers. The original monastery was severely damaged during the 1975 Kinnaur earthquake. After its full restoration and construction of new structures His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama visited the monastery in the year 1983 and began the Kalachakra festival. Tabo has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. In terms of area, this is the largest monastic complex in Spiti. the Tabo Gompa has exquisite wall paintings and stucco statues and is often called the ‘Ajanta of the Himalaya’.

Nako is the largest village at an elevation of 3625 mtr is also mentioned in the Hangrang Valley  with the backdrop of Reo Purgyal which is the highest mountain in Himachal Pradesh. Nako Monastery in the upper part of the village and the Nako Lake are important landmarks in the village.

Guru Ghantal Buddhist Monastery is situated 4 km above the confluence of Chandra and Bhaga in village Tupchiling in Lahaul. The Avalokiteshwara – a marble head sculpture belongs to 8th century AD. It has been consecrated by Guru Padamshambhava. This is fully wooden temple. An annual fair is held here in the month of June called ‘Ghantal Festival’. There is also an idol dedicated to Bajreshwari Devi in the Gompa.

The beautiful sculpture of ‘Marichi Vajravarahi’ belongs to 11^th to 12^th  centuries AD., located in Lahaul. The figure of the goddess is lovely and sophisticated. It is 18 km. from Keylong in ‘Bhaga Valley’ where devil dance is held during July in the Gompa.

This Buddhist temple was built in the 17th century by Deva Gyatso in Lahaul. During June/July this monastery attracts lots of visitors when Lamas perform devil dance. It belongs to red had sect and is located among blue pines. This Gompa has a 15 feet ‘Tankha’ an invaluable wall painting depicting all 84 Sidhas of Buddhism

It is situated in the village Kardang at 15,000 feet high ‘Rangch peak’ in Lahaul. It was erected around 900 AD. Kardang is the largest Gompapopular throughout the region. It was in ruins uptil 1912 when ‘Lama Norbu’ of Kardang renovated it. With colorful frescoes and murals, it has an enormous prayer drum containing strips of paper upon which the sacred mantra ‘Om Mani Padme Hum’ is inscribed a million times. The liberary here contains largest collection of ‘Kangyur’ and ‘Tangyur’. Nuns and Lamas enjoy equality.

This was built in the 17th century by a Lama of ‘Tibet Khan’ area named ‘Lama Sarjan Rinchain’. He belonged to Gompa Dugma community. This Gompa above the village of ‘Satingri’ has 5 metres tall statue of Padamsambhava and his two manifestations as ‘Singhmukha’ and ‘Vajravarashi’. The library here houses 101 volumes of ‘Kangyur’ and ‘Tankhas’ depicting the life of Lord Budhha. This monastery hoses a hundred million ‘Mani’ wheel by turning the minds of sentiment beings open to the compassion of the lord. This ‘mani’ wheel is reputed to be ‘self turning’ on auspicious occasions.

It is situated about 25 km east of Kaza and serves eastern part of central Spiti. Dhankar is a big village and erstwhile capital of Spiti King. On top of a hill there is a fort which use to be a prison in olden times. The Monastery has about 100 Lamas and is in position of Buddhist scriptures in Bhoti language. Principal figure is a Statue of “Vairochana” (Dhayan Budha) consisting of 4 complete figures seated back to back. It has relics in the shape of paintings and sculptures.