Gautam Buddha, the founder of Buddhism was born in India five years before Christ and gave the world the message of love and peace. In Buddhism, monasteries are considered to be a very holy and sacred place where the monks meditate. A monastery is a building where the communities of monks reside and follow religious rituals. People visit monasteries to witness their architectural beauty or to find serenity and peace. India is home to various monasteries and here is a list of five famous Buddhist monasteries in India to visit:
Hemis Monastery, Ladakh
Ladakh boasts of many monasteries and Hemis Monastery is the largest and wealthiest monastery of the Ladakh region.
The Hemis Monastery is situated in Hemis, Ladakh, at a distance of 44 km away from the exquisite valley of Leh. The history of the Hemis Monastery goes back to the 11th century when it was first constructed. SenggeNamgyal, the then king of Ladakh reconstructed the monastery in 1672. The months of June-July are the best time to visit this monastery. During this period, the tourists can enjoy the famous and colorful Hemis Festival which is dedicated to Lord Padmasambhava.
Thiksey Monastery, Ladakh
Also situated in Ladakh, Thiksey Monastery is famous for its splendid architecture. It was built in the 15th century under the guidance of PladenSangpo, a Buddhist monk.
The Thiksey Monastery is situated 20 km away from Leh at the height of 11,800 ft. The architectural layout of this Buddhist monastery is truly commendable making this monastery one of the most splendid monasteries in India. The architectural design of this monastery very closely resembles the Potala Palace in Lhasa. Thiksey Monastery consists of a twelve storey complex and has various items of Buddhist arts such as stupas, statues, thangkas, wall paintings, and swords.
Tawang Monastery, Arunachal Pradesh
Tawang Monastery in Arunachal Pradesh is the largest monastery in India and second-largest in the world after the Potala Palace, Lhasa, Tibet.
Tawang Monastery is also known as the ‘Chosen Horse Monastery’. The peaceful and tranquil environment of the Tawang monastery makes it a perfect place to meditate and find peace of mind. The monastery is also famous for being the birthplace of the sixth Dalai Lama. Mera Lama LodreGyatso founded this monastery. It is located in the town of Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh. The structure of this monastery is quite grand and is very well decorated with spectacular statues showcasing Buddhist teachings and philosophies about life.
Tsuglagkhang Complex, Dharamshala
The Tsuglagkhang Complex located near Mcloadganj,Dharamshala is famous for being the residence of his holiness, Dalai Lama.
Tsuglagkhang Complex is custard colored concrete monastic village and is the home to the Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader of Tibet. This monastery is surrounded by piles of beautiful pine trees and is an ideal place for some serene time with nature in the company of holy monks. There is also a museum in the monastery where you can see many sacred paintings of the Buddhist culture.
Namgyal Monastery, Dharamshala
Namgyal Monastery in Dharamshala was founded by the 3rd Dalai Lama himself making it one of the holiest monasteries of India.
Namgyal monastery is one of the main monasteries of this region and it gives surreal vibes to the visitors. The large prayer hall with Buddhist hymns creates a uniquely peaceful environment all along. The overlooking Himalayas the make monastery even more atmospheric. It gives a complete ecstatic and spiritual experience overall. You can also buy some handmade incense sticks here.
