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Key Highlights
• India's Buddhist monasteries are not only places of worship but living wells of centuries-long tradition, awe-inspiring architecture, and peaceful spirituality. Read more about the top five monasteries deserving of special mention for history, beauty, and spiritual value.
1. Tawang Monastery, Arunachal Pradesh
Located at 10,000 feet in the Eastern Himalayas, Tawang is India's largest and Asia's second-largest Buddhist monastery. It dates back to the 17th century and boasts ancient manuscripts, colorful murals, and a three-story tall assembly hall. The monastery is famous for its Losar and Torgya festivals, which attract tourists with masked dances and peaceful mountain vistas. Its location provides panoramic sightseeing, and thus it is a spiritualist and nature lover's haven.
2. Hemis Monastery, Ladakh
Deep within Ladakh's remote valleys, Hemis is the biggest and richest monastery in all of Ladakh. Of the Drukpa order, this monastery is renowned for staging the Hemis Festival every year, where masked dances revere Guru Padmasambhava. The historic relics, holy paintings, and peaceful setting of the monastery within the harsh mountains provide a total spiritual retreat.
3. Sikkim Rumtek Monastery
Located near Gangtok, Rumtek is a vibrant seat of Tibetan Buddhism and residence of the Karmapa. Its golden stupa, intricate murals, and colorful prayer flags are a stunning sight. The vibrant festivals and daily rituals at Rumtek offer visitors a deep insight into Buddhist philosophy and culture.
4. Thiksey Monastery, Ladakh
Located on a hilltop in Indus Valley, Thiksey is famous for its huge statue of Maitreya Buddha and sweeping vistas. The multi-level monastery building possesses the rich legacy of Buddhist art, manuscripts, and serene prayer rooms, and that makes the destination one that one cannot afford to miss if one wishes to find peace and inspiration.
5. Tsuglagkhang Complex, Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh
This religious complex at McLeod Ganj serves as the official residence of the Dalai Lama. The complex contains a temple with a gold-plated Buddha, a museum, and meditation halls. It is a Tibetan cultural center and place of pilgrimage, offering meditation classes, prayer rites, and a glimpse into the life of exiled Tibetan Buddhism.
• Each of these monasteries is a unique combination of history, culture, and spirituality, and they are not to be missed on any Buddhist or cultural tour of India.
Sources: Times of India, Economic Times, TravelTriangle, MakeMyTrip
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