Attention all Buddhism buffs and monastery lovers!
Are you ready for a journey to the land of the rising sun, where the largest monastery in India awaits you?
Introducing Tawang Monastery, located in the charming city of Tawang in the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh. This majestic monastery is the second largest in the world after the Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet and is situated in the valley of the Tawang Chu, near the small town of the same name.
But don’t let the size fool you, Tawang Monastery is known in Tibetan as Gaden Namgyal Lhatse, which translates to “the divine paradise of complete victory.” It was founded by Merak Lama Lodre Gyatso in 1680-1681 in accordance with the wishes of the 5th Dalai Lama, Ngawang Lobsang Gyatso and belongs to the Gelug school of Vajrayana Buddhism. It had a religious association with Drepung Monastery of Lhasa, which continued during the period of British rule.
The monastery is three stories high and enclosed by a 925 feet (282 m) long compound wall. Within the complex, there are 65 residential buildings, including a library that holds valuable old scriptures, mainly Kangyur and Tengyur. The best part? It’s the only monastery where photography is allowed inside the compound. So go ahead, snap away and capture the beauty of the prayer of the monks.
But wait, there’s more! The monastery also has a museum inside the compound where ancient handcrafted articles are displayed with proper description. The entry fee is a mere Rs.10 per person. The natural surrounding of this monastery is also mesmerizing. The monetary has a giant size gate at the back which has fabulous art work, which is very colorful.
And from the 2 mins walking distance from the monastery, ropey is available for Anny Gumpha Temple, which is very well known for its wish-fulfilling powers. So pack your bags, grab your cameras and join us on a journey to Tawang Monastery, where you get what you wish for!
recommended nearby places
Jung Waterfalls, Arunachal Pradesh
Jung Waterfalls also known as Nuranang is on the route to Tawang. It’s about 100 meters of pure, unadulterated awesomeness,…
