Buddhist Monasteries in Himachal Pradesh

Overview of Buddhist Architecture

Himachal Pradesh, particularly the districts of Lahaul-Spiti, Kinnaur, and parts of Kangra, is home to a rich tradition of Buddhist temple and monastery (gompa) architecture, influenced by Tibetan, Indo-Tibetan, and Himalayan styles.

A. Materials Used

Stone and Mudbrick: Used for traditional walls.
Wood: Used for intricate carvings on doors, pillars, and window frames.
Painted Murals & Stucco Work: Brightly painted murals depicting Buddhist teachings.

B. Structural Design

Chorten/Stupa: Symbolic dome-shaped shrine structures.
Prayer Halls (Dukhang): Main worship halls with large statues.
Monk Cells (Lhakhang): Living quarters for resident monks.
Prayer Wheels & Flags: Found outside, inscribed with mantras like “Om Mani Padme Hum”.
Sloping Roofs with Golden Finials: To prevent snow accumulation and symbolize enlightenment.

C. Architectural Styles

Indo-Tibetan: Found in Lahaul-Spiti and Kinnaur. Large prayer halls, tall Buddha statues, and Tibetan murals. Example: Key Monastery.
Himalayan Folk: Found in remote valleys. Smaller, mud-and-stone construction with wooden balconies and frescoes. Example: Shashur Gompa, Tayul Gompa.
Modern Buddhist: Post-1959 refugee influence. Use new materials like concrete but retain traditional designs. Example: Tashi Jong Monastery.

D. Himalayan Monastery Types

Tak-Phu: A monastery located in a cave.
Gompa: Suggestive of a solitary place.
La-Khang: A temple located near a village.

Schools of Buddhism in Himachal

Nyingma (Red Hat)

Founded: 8th Century by Padmasambhava (Guru Rinpoche) and Shantarakshita.
Focus: Oldest school, emphasizes Dzogchen (Great Perfection) meditation.
Path: Practice.

Sakya

Founded: 1073 by Drogmi Lotsawa.
Focus: Emphasizes Lamdre (“Path and Its Fruit”), a structured Vajrayana path.
Path: Gradual path with emphasis on “stages of practice”.

Kagyu (White Hat)

Founded: Early 11th century by Tilopa.
Focus: Meditation and experiential realization. Core teaching is Mahamudra (The Great Seal).
Note: Drukpa (or Dugpa) is a branch of the Kagyu school.

Gelugpa (Yellow Hat)

Founded: 1409 by Je Tsongkhapa.
Focus: Emphasizes monastic discipline, philosophical study, logic, and debate.
Spiritual Leadership: The Dalai Lama is a key figure.

Detailed Monastery Guide (District-Wise)

A. Lahaul-Spiti District

1. Key (Ki) Monastery, Kaza

Sect: Gelugpa (Yellow Hat)
Location: 12 km north of Kaza, Spiti Valley (approx. 13,500 ft).
Key Features:
- Largest monastery in Spiti Valley.
- Houses beautiful murals, thankas, rare manuscripts, and stucco images.
- Known for Chham performances (masked dances) in summer.
- Approx. 250 resident monks.
- New Prayer Hall inaugurated by the 14th Dalai Lama in Aug 2000 for the Kalachakra ceremony.

2. Tabo Monastery, Tabo

Sect: Gelugpa (Yellow Hat)
Founded: 996 A.D. by Buddhist King Yeshe-Ö (Guge Empire) with Rinchen Zangpo.
Location: Tabo village, Spiti Valley (10,004 ft).
Historical Significance:
- Oldest continuously operating Buddhist enclave in India and the Himalayas.
- Known as the “Ajanta of the Himalayas” for its exquisite thangka paintings and murals.
- Protected by the ASI as a national historic treasure.
- Contains 9 temples, 4 stupas, 23 chortens, and monks’ quarters.
- Celebrated its 1000th anniversary in 1996.
- A new Kalachakra Temple was built for the Kalachakra initiation by the Dalai Lama in 1983.

3. Dhankar Monastery

Sect: Gelugpa (Yellow Hat)
Location: Between Kaza and Tabo (12,774 ft), on a cliff overlooking the Spiti and Pin rivers.
Features:
- Built as a fort monastery (once the capital of Spiti in the 17th century).
- Contains 12th-century elements and a Dhayan Buddha statue.
- Threatened by erosion; listed in 2006 as one of the 100 most endangered sites (World Monuments Fund).
- A new monastery is located nearby in Shichilling.

4. Lhalung Monastery (“Golden Temple”)

Sect: Initially Nyingma, Gelugpa from 17th century. (Some sources say Sakya, captured by Gelugpa).
Founded: 10th century by Rinchen Zangpo (“Great Translator”).
Location: Lhalung Village, Spiti Valley.
Features:
- “Lhalung” means “Land of Gods”.
- Known as the “Golden Temple” of Spiti.
- Features beautiful statues and ancient wall paintings.

5. Kungri Monastery

Sect: Nyingma (Red Hat)
Location: Pin Valley, Spiti.
Features:
- The **only** Nyingma monastery in Spiti.
- Known for colorful murals, ancient thangkas, and masked ‘Devil Dances’ during its annual festival.

6. Tango (Tangyud) Monastery

Sect: Sakya
Location: Komic village (14,830 ft), often called the highest village in Asia.
Built: Early 14th century.
Features:
- One of only two Sakya monasteries left in Spiti.
- Built like a fortified castle with massive slanted mud walls and battlements.
- Shifted from Hikkim after the 1975 earthquake.

7. Guru Ghantal Gompa (Gandhola)

Sect: Nyingma (served by Drukpa monks).
Founded: 8th century CE by Padmasambhava (Guru Rinpoche).
Location: Near Tandi, Lahaul Valley (approx. 10,500 ft).
Features:
- Oldest monastery in Lahaul.
- Features unique wooden idols (unlike usual clay).
- Houses a blackstone statue of Goddess Kali, suggesting it may have been a Hindu temple earlier.
- A white marble head of Avalokiteshvara dates to the 2nd century CE.

8. Trilokinath Temple

Sect: Buddhist (Drukpa Kagyu) / Hindu (Shiva).
Founded: 10th century.
Location: Udaipur, Lahaul Valley (2,760 m).
Significance:
- **Only temple in the world** where both Hindus and Buddhists worship the same deity.
- Hindus worship the deity as Lord Shiva.
- Buddhists revere it as Arya Avalokiteshwar (Garja Fagspa).
- Features Shikhara architectural style, similar to Chamba’s Lakshmi Narayan Temple.
- Considered sacred second only to Kailash and Mansarovar.

9. Gemur Monastery

Sect: Drukpa (Dugpa) Kagyu
Founded: 17th century by Lama Tanzin Paldan.
Location: Above Gemur village, Lahaul Valley (11,060 ft).
Features:
- Famous locally for masked dances held in July.
- Contains a sculpture of the goddess ‘Marichi Vajravarahi’.
- Houses ancient miniature paintings, chortens, and statues.

10. Shashur Gompa

Sect: Drukpa (Dugpa) Kagyu
Founded: 16th-17th century by Lama Dewa Tyatsho.
Location: Near Keylong, Lahaul Valley.
Features:
- “Shashur” means “amidst blue pines”.
- Built in accordance with the Mandala concept.
- Wall paintings show the 84 Siddhas of Buddhism.
- Features a 5-meter (over 15 feet) Thangka (silk painting).
- Associated with the annual Tseshe festival (June/July).

11. Kardang Monastery

Sect: Drukpa (Dugpa) Kagyu (Red Hat)
Founded: 12th century, Renovated 1912 by Lama Norbu.
Location: Kardang village (once capital of Lahaul), near Keylong.
Features:
- Largest and most popular monastery in Lahaul.
- Library contains full volumes of Kangyur and Tangyur (Buddhist scriptures).
- Lamas and chomos (nuns) enjoy equality; monks can marry.
- Features colorful wall paintings and Tantric paintings.

12. Tayul Monastery

Sect: Drukpa (Dugpa) Kagyu
Founded: 17th century by Dugpa Lama Serzang Rinchen.
Location: Above Satingri village, Lahaul Valley.
Features:
- “Tayul” means “Chosen Place”.
- Largest statue of Padmasambhava (12 feet tall).
- Houses a hundred-million mani wheel, believed to be self-turning (last recorded in 1986).

B. Kinnaur District

13. Nako Monastery

Sect: Drukpa Kagyu & Gelugpa
Founded: 11th century by Rinchen Zangpo.
Location: Nako village, Hangrang valley (12,014 ft).
Features: Ancient murals, sculptures, stucco images, and proximity to Nako Lake.

14. Charang Monastery (Rangrik Shungma)

Sect: Mahayana (Drukpa Kagyu influenced)
Founded: 11th century (over 1000 years old).
Location: Charang village, near Indo-Tibet border.
Features: One of the oldest in Kinnaur, contains some of the oldest Buddhist texts and intricate murals. Part of the Kinner Kailash Parikrama route.

15. Brelengi Monastery (Sangla)

Sect: Modern Buddhist (Mahayana)
Founded: 1992 for the Kalachakra Festival by the Mahabodhi Society.
Location: Reckong Peo.
Features: Wooden walls and roof intricately laid out.

C. Kangra District (Dharamshala)

“Little Lhasa of India,” Headquarters of Tibetan Buddhism in India.

16. Namgyal Monastery

Sect: Gelugpa (Yellow Hat)
Founded: 1564 in Lhasa, Tibet. Relocated to Dharamshala.
Location: McLeod Ganj (part of Tsuglagkhang Complex).
Significance:
- Often called the “Dalai Lama’s Temple”.
- Personal monastery of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama.
- Home to approx. 250 monks.

17. Gyuto Monastery

Sect: Gelugpa (Yellow Hat) – Tantric
Founded: 1474 in Lhasa. Re-established in Sidhbari in 1996.
Location: Sidhbari, Dharamshala.
Features:
- Premier institute for Tibetan Tantric Buddhism.
- Known for the powerful throat chanting of its monks.
- Magnificent golden Buddha statue.

18. Nechung Monastery

Sect: Gelugpa (with Nyingma practices)
Re-established: In Dharamshala after 1959.
Location: Near Namgyal Monastery, McLeod Ganj.
Significance:
- Seat of the State Oracle of Tibet (Nechung Oracle).
- Personal oracle of the Dalai Lama.
- Key role in governmental decision-making.

19. Tashi Jong Monastery

Sect: Drukpa Kagyu
Founded: 1960s by the 8th Khamtrul Rinpoche.
Location: Tashi Jong village, near Baijnath, Kangra.
Features:
- Significant center for the Drukpa Kagyu tradition.
- Home to a community of monks and Tibetan refugees.
- Has an excellent craft emporium.
- Includes the Dorje Gatsal Ling Nunnery, led by Tenzin Palmo (first fully ordained Western Buddhist nun).

D. Mandi District

20. Rewalsar Monastery (Tso Pema)

Sect: Nyingma (Red Hat)
Location: Rewalsar Lake (Tso Pema), Mandi.
Significance:
- Pilgrimage site for Buddhists, Hindus, and Sikhs.
- Associated with Guru Padmasambhava (8th Century).
- Legend states the King of Mandi tried to burn Padmasambhava alive, but a lake appeared at the spot, with the Guru seated on a lotus.
- Also associated with Lomas Rishi (Hindu) and Guru Gobind Singh (Sikh).

E. Solan District (Bon Religion)

21. Menri Monastery (Yungdrung Bon)

Sect: Bon (Ancient pre-Buddhist Tibetan religion)
Established in HP: 1967 by Tibetan Bon refugees.
Location: Dolanji, Solan.
Significance:
- Named after the original Menri Monastery in Tibet (founded 1405).
- **Chief center of spiritual learning for the Bonpos** from across the globe.
- Seat of the Menri Trizin (head of the Bon faith).
- Includes the Redna Menling, the only Bon nunnery in India.

Summary Table: Monasteries by Sect

District	Monastery	Location	Sect
Lahaul-Spiti	Key Monastery	Kaza, Spiti	Gelugpa
Lahaul-Spiti	Tabo Monastery	Tabo, Spiti	Gelugpa
Lahaul-Spiti	Dhankar Monastery	Spiti	Gelugpa
Lahaul-Spiti	Lhalung Monastery	Spiti	Nyingma/Gelugpa
Lahaul-Spiti	Kungri Monastery	Pin Valley, Spiti	Nyingma
Lahaul-Spiti	Tangyud Monastery	Komic, Spiti	Sakya
Lahaul-Spiti	Guru Ghantal Gompa	Lahaul	Nyingma
Lahaul-Spiti	Trilokinath Temple	Lahaul	Drukpa Kagyu
Lahaul-Spiti	Gemur Monastery	Lahaul	Drukpa Kagyu
Lahaul-Spiti	Shashur Gompa	Lahaul	Drukpa Kagyu
Lahaul-Spiti	Kardang Monastery	Lahaul	Drukpa Kagyu
Lahaul-Spiti	Tayul Monastery	Lahaul	Drukpa Kagyu
Kinnaur	Rarang Monastery	Kinnaur	Gelugpa
Kinnaur	Nako Monastery	Kinnaur	Drukpa Kagyu & Gelugpa
Kinnaur	Charang Monastery	Kinnaur	Drukpa Kagyu
Kangra	Namgyal Monastery	Dharamshala	Gelugpa
Kangra	Gyuto Monastery	Dharamshala	Gelugpa (Tantric)
Kangra	Tsechokling Monastery	Dharamshala	Gelugpa
Kangra	Nechung Monastery	Dharamshala	Gelugpa
Kangra	Tashi Jong Monastery	Baijnath	Drukpa Kagyu
Mandi	Rewalsar Monastery	Mandi	Nyingma
Shimla	Dorje Drak Monastery	Shimla	Nyingma
Solan	Menri Monastery	Solan	Bon (pre-Buddhist)