Incredible India | Path of Buddha

Bomdila Monastery

Also known as Gentse Gaden Rabgyel Lling monastery, Bombdila monastery was built in 1965 by the twelfth incarnation of the TsonaGontse Rinpoche. And was rebuilt by the thirteenth reincarnation, TsonaGontseRinponche renovated the monastery by building a larger prayer hall. Inside the Gompa, there's a huge prayer, which is used by the lamas for praying; the temple of Buddha, and a tiny quarter of monks. Apart from its religious significance, the monastery is also known for its natural beauty. Stunning vistas that you can see from here are fabulous and breathtaking.

Tawang Monastery

Tawang Monastery is the largest monasteryin India and second largest in the world. It is situated on a mountain in the town of Tawang at an altitude of over 3000 m. Tawang Monastery is known in Tibetan as GaldenNamgeyLhatse, which translates to "celestial paradise in a clear night." It was founded by Merak Lama LodreGyatso in 1680-1681 in accordance with the wishes of the 5th Dalai Lama, NgawangLobsangGyatso. It belongs to the Gelug school of Mahayana Buddhism.The monastery is three stories high and is enclosed by a 282 m long compound wall. The library of the monastery has valuable old scriptures, mainly Kangyur and Tengyur. Torgya is the most elaborate and colourful festivals celebrated in the monastery and is frequented by the tourists.

Rewalsar

Rewalsar has long been a traveller's secret just off the beaten track in Himachal Pradesh. Pilgrims come to make prayers, meditate or simply soak up the peaceful atmosphere. At its heart lies the holy lake that is home to three Hindu Temples, a Sikh Gurudwara and three Buddhist Monasteries. One of the local names for Rewalsar is Trisangam (Three Holy Communities) and as such it serves as a fine example of religious tolerance and harmony that makes India great. The Tibetan and Himachali Buddhists call Rewalsar Tso Pema (Lotus Lake) in honour of the Indian Yogi Padmasambhava who lived and meditated here. A 12m statue of Padmasambhava has been erected on the hillside above the lake, a sight that dominates the landscape as you enter the town. Pilgrims take the road above Rewalsar to the beautiful village of Sarkidhar, set in a valley with seven holy lakes and summited by the holy temple of Naina Dev-Ji, the foremost Hindu temple in the area. In the hills below Naina Devi Temple, modern day Tibetan yogis and yoginis live and practice in caves. The villages surrounding Rewalsar are set in some of the most beautiful landscapes in Himachal Pradesh.Rewalsar, also known as Trisangam, is a small yet sacred town that caters to three religions – Buddhism, Sikhism and Hinduism. Home to the Rewalsar Zoo, it is also very popular for the renowned ‘Rewalsar Lake’, square in shape, surrounded by mountains and has a shoreline of about 735 m.

Tabo Monastery

Tabo Monastery, also known as the 'Ajanta of the Himalayas,' is one of the most popular monasteries in the Lahaul and Spiti Valley and was founded more than a millennium back in 996 A.D. This ancient structure stands on the barren, cold, and rocky desert of the Tabo valley at a dizzying height of 3050 meters above sea level. This untouched beauty has preserved the glorious heritage, traditions, and culture of Buddhism through the passage of centuries. According to the Tibetan Calendar, the Tabo Monastery is believed to have been established in the year of the Fire Ape, by a great teacher and translator Lotsawa Rinchen Tsang Po, the king of the western Himalayan Kingdom of Guge.

Dharamsala

While visiting Dharamshala, it feels like one has visited to a country dwelled by Tibetans. But the soul and the soil are truly welcoming. Located in Western Himachal region, Dharamshala is a prominent name in Buddhist tour to the state, as the home of Dalai Lama and all the Tibetans in exile. It is a well-known centre for studying Buddhism, its sutras, tantras, and major texts related to this. And now it has emerged as one of the major visited sites in Himachal Pradesh attracting scholars, pilgrims and tourists alike.In the upper Dharamshala, Mcleodganj is the actual residence of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. The famous monastery known as Namgyal Gompa has larger than life images of the Buddha, Padmasambhava and Avalokiteshwara along with the golden prayer wheels. In order to understand the culture of residents at Dharamshala, a visit to Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts is a must do activity in the region.The hillside town of Dharamsala, stretches along the Dhauladhar mountain range in the upper reaches of the scenic Kangra district, amidst magnificent deodar, conifer and pine forests, tea gardens and mist-soaked hills. Since 1960, when it became the temporary headquarters of the Dalai Lama, it has been attracting seekers of spiritual enlightenment from all over the world. Dharamsala is divided into two distinct parts - Lower Dharamsala, and Upper Dharamsala with places like McLeod Ganj and Forsyth Ganj, which bear witness to the history of this area. The place is an excellent base for scenic walks and treks into the Dhauladhar range. A cricket stadium of international reputation serves as the home ground to the Himachal Pradesh state cricket team and for other international cricket matches, like the IPL. Because of its natural backdrop, it is one of the most quaint and attractive cricket stadiums in the world. Best time to visit is from March till October.

Nako Gompa

Nako is a small Buddhist village on a remote hill at the edge of Spiti valley. Technically it falls in Kinnaur district, but in character, it is far closer to the culture of Spiti valley. While driving towards Nako, all anyone knows about is that it has an old monastery and a lovely lake. But Nako has many surprises for everyone.

Nako Monastery

Rinchen Zangpo also called Ratna Bhadra, is known as a great translator who translated all the Buddhist scriptures from Sanskrit to Tibetan. He is also supposed to have established 108 monasteries in this region in 11th CE. Nako Monastery happens to be one of them. There are two temples that are reasonably preserved in Nako.

Lhalung Monastery

Tayul monastery namely Tayul Gompa is assumed as the oldest monastery in the Northern region. The monastery is standing tall in the midst the mighty mountains. It is located at an elevation of 3900 m above the sea level in the Bhaga Valley of Lahaul and Spiti. Satingri village is home to the Tayul Gompa that can be reached by a steep footpath from Upper Keylong.Interesting fables are associated behind the founding of the monastery. Once, Lama Serzang Rinchen of Khan Region in Tibet spotted this monastery when he was walking on and around the sacred Drilburi Peak. While walking on the peak, he spotted a small glade in the juniper forest. He showed the same to his pilgrimages, later he concluded that the place is an auspicious site to build a monastery and decided to name it as 'Tayul' which in Tibetan language means chosen place. Built in 17th century, the monastery is home to the Drugpa or Red Hat Sect of Buddhist monks.In the 18th century, the monastery was renovated by a Ladakhi, Tulku Tashi Tanphel who belonged to the Tagna monastery. He also decorated the monastery with murals. The most vulnerable possession of the monastery is the 12 ft statue of Guru Padmasambhava, besides the famous manifestation of Singhmukha and Vajravahi. There are 108 main wheels as well in the monastery, which keeps on self-turning on auspicious occasions. All the many wheels have an impression of "Aum Mani Padme Hunch." Last time the wheel self rotated was in 1986. There is an enormous collection of 101 Buddhist scriptures, of the "Kangyur" (Buddha's own teachings in their Tibetan translation) in the library of Tayul monastery. The library also has "Thangkas" which depicts about the life of Buddha. Multiples things are there to explore in Tayul Monastery. Embark on a short trip to Tayul monastery and catch the slice of finest Buddhist sculpts and art-works.

Kardang Monastery

It has been 900 years since the Kardang monastery was established in the foothills of the Himalaya. Kardang monastery is one of the oldest possession of Drukpa lineage. The monastery is historical because it is a part of Kardang village which was once the capital of Lahaul.The monastery is located at an elevation 3500 meters above sea level, on the bank of Bhaga River. As per the facts, the monastery was established in the later parts of the 12th century but was completely ruined after a while; later in the 20th century, it was constructed again by 2 lamas- Lama Norbu Rinpoche (died in 1952) and Lama Kunga. The monastery is famous all over the world for its religious significance and alluring architecture. The monastery houses a phenomenal collection of murals, paintings, frescos, Thangka paintings, old weapons and instrumentals like horns, flutes, drums, etc. Kanrdang monastery is an important educational centre as well. The library of Kardang monastery is a vault which contains some of the finest books belonging to the bygone era. The monastery is stocked with Kangyur and Tangyur books of Buddhist scriptures written in Bhoti language; there are strips of paper on which the sacred mantra 'Om Mani Padme Hum' is written one million times. Every year in the months of June and July, the monastery hosts an annual Chaam dance where monks are dressed in dramatic masks and head gears. An important center of Buddhist, this charming monastery can enlighten the tourist with its architecture and breathtaking surroundings!

Shashur Monastery

Amidst the hilly terrains of the Himalaya rests a small and quaint Buddhist shrine called Shashur Monastery. The literal meaning of "Shahsur" is blue pines; it is completely compliments with the name of the monastery because it is surrounded by the blue pine trees which share shoulders with each other. Shahshur monastery is related to the Gelukpa order or red hat sect of Tibetan Buddhism. The monastery was founded by the Lama Dewa Tyatsho hailing from Ladakh in the 16th century but its construction was stopped after awhile. Later, the construction of the monastery was restarted by Lama Dewa Gyatsho in the 17th century. It is also believed that Dewa Gyatsho stayed in the monastery till his death.Shashur monastery is perched at an elevation of 600 m above the valley, and one need to pass through hilly terrains and narrow valley to reach the monastery. Built in accordance with the Mandala concept whose basic form is a square having four gates containing a circle with a center, Shahshur monastery is praised all over India for its excellent architecture. The walls of the monastery are decorated with beautiful paintings showing the 84 Siddhas of Buddhism, 5 meter Thangka (beautiful silk painting with embroidery done all over it) and a statue of Namgyal. The monastery is at its best during the month of June and July as an annual festival is organized here. During the annual festival, colorfully dressed and masked monks perform the devil dance widely known as chaam dance. Shahshur monastery is a prominent Tibetan Buddhism learning center as well, which attracts tourist from not only India but across the world.

Kye Monastery

Overlooking Kaza from a height of about 13,500 ft, the Kye monastery is the largest in the valley and holds a powerful sway over the most populous part of the valley around Kaza. The gompa or monastery is an irregular heap of low rooms and narrow corridors on a monolithic conical hill. From a distance it resembles the Thiksey monastery near Leh in Ladakh. The irregular prayer chambers are interconnected by dark passages, tortuous staircases and small doors. Hundreds of lamas receive their religious training in the monastery. It is also known for its beautiful murals, 'thankas', rare manuscripts, stucco images and peculiar wind instruments that form part of the orchestra whenever 'Chham' is enacted in the 'gompa' during summers. Another interesting aspect of the 'gompa' is its collection of weapons, which may have been used to ward off marauders and also to maintain its control over people betraying a church-militant character. Thousands of devotees from all over the world attended the 'Kalachakra' ceremony which was performed in August 2000 by His Holiness Dalai Lama. 'Kalachakra' initiation is not just an elaborate puja or a religious congregation, it is a workshop on a grand scale to make an earnest effort by both the teacher and disciples to awaken their Buddha nature by the combined forces of teaching, prayer, blessing, devotion, mantra, yoga and meditation. It is an effort by every participant to try to discover the true and permanent peace for the sake of all others. The Buddhists believe, mere presence during this elaborate initiation ceremony stretching over a few days liberates the participant from suffering and bestows on him the bliss of enlightenment. The ceremony focuses on five main subjects - cosmology, psycho-physiology, initiation, sadhana and Buddhahood. A 'Kalachakra mandala' and 'Viswatma deitiy' in union with his consort are at the centre of this ceremony guiding the disciple through the tedious process of initiation.

Ladakh

Buddhism in Ladakh is ancient and widespread and a popular theme for cultural tours in Ladakh. The population of Ladakh is predominantly Buddhist and Ladakh has been deeply influenced by Tibetan Buddhism, which follows the Mahayana and Vajrayana schools. In these forms of Buddhism, Buddha is worshipped a deity who has attained Nirvana (freedom from the cycle of birth and death). Various incarnations of Buddha, known as Bodhisattvas, are also worshipped in monasteries. Many tourists undertake trip to Ladakh to explore, understand and learn from the ancient Buddhism which is practiced here. The mythology of Tibetan Buddhism has many tales of various spirits and demons. These representations of both good and evil qualities are depicted in the form of masks and their stories are enacted as masked dances during the annual festivals of various Gompas in Ladakh.Dalai Lama: The Buddhists of Ladakh regard His Holiness the Dalai Lama, as their supreme spiritual leader and as living incarnation of Buddha. The present Dalai Lama, who is the 14 Dalai Lama was originally known as Tenzin Gyatso. As a child he was recognized as an incarnation of the previous Dalai Lama, who had passed away in 1933. Tenzing Gyatso was brought to Lhasa and proclaimed the new spiritual leader of the Tibetan people on Feb 22nd 1940.Due his resistance to the Chinese occupation Tibet, the Dalai Lama became an icon of political as well as spiritual leadership for the Tibetans. The Dalai Lama left Tibet and came to India in March, 1959. Ever since, he has led an international campaign against the Chinese occupation of Tibet. He received the Nobel Prize for Peace in 1989 for his leadership of the struggle for the peaceful liberation of Tibet.Some Common Buddhist Terms are: Gompas: A Gompa is a spiritual community where monks or nuns live and practice their religion. Gompas in Ladakh are also educational institutions and play a central role in the life and economy of the local community. Gompas are more than just monasteries and many have museums where tourists can view collections of Buddhist art. The annual festivals in Ladakh are celebration at the Gompas which is a colorful sight with masked dances and religious ceremonies drawing both pilgrims and tourists in large numbers. Chortens and Stupas: Chortens and stupas are dome shaped structures built over a square base. They are usually built in memory of a Buddhist monk or religious teacher. Some stupas may contain relics of holy men. Chortens are often decorated with Buddhist prayer flags and offerings such as oil lamps or flowers etc may be placed around them. Thangka: Thangkas are Buddhist religious paintings that depict episodes from the life of Buddha or various Boddhisatvas. Rich in symbolism and Buddhist imagery, Thangkas are religious artifacts and the art of learning to paint a Thangka is a discipline that requires extensive training. Mandala: A Mandala is a symbolic representation of the Universe according to Buddhist iconography. A colorful design made from sand on the floor of a monastery or painted on a wall or screen, a mandala is believed to have mystical powers that aid in meditation concentration and prayer. Mandalas often depict a palace with four gates, which open to the four principal directions of the Earth. Mandalas are used in the rituals of a monks initiation and are called the 'Architecture of Enlightenment' Mandalas made of sand are usually swept away after a prayer ceremony to symbolize the impermanence of life. The designs of the Mandala follow an ancient tradition and consist of concentric circles and intersecting lines. The process of learning to create a Mandala is part of the training of every Tibetan monk.Central Institute of Buddhist Studies: The Central Institute of Buddhist Studies in Ladakh is the premier for the study of Buddhism in Ladakh. Established in 1959, the institute was created by the combined effort of ten important Gompas of Ladakh. Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru, India's first Prime Minister, extended the support of the Indian Government to this institute of learning. The Institute currently offers courses from primary education to Doctoral Degrees and has 29 Gompas and nunneries affiliated to it. The Central Institute of Buddhist Studies is located in Choglamsar, about 8 kilometers from Leh.

Zangla Monastery

A small picturesque place in Zanskar region of Ladakh, Zangla is known for being the base or an important point of major treks in Zanskar region. As attractions, the place has an old castle, which is almost in ruins, there is a nunnery and an ancient monastery in a nearby village of Tsa Zar which are worth seeing. The view from the castle is simply spectacular, and thus one must not miss to visit this tourist attraction. On the other hand, the ancient monastery in Tsa Zar should be visited for its beautiful frescoes. Zangla is important point in important treks in Zanskar like Chadar trek and Padum-Strongdey-Zangla-Karsha-Padum trek, Padum-Markha valley and Padum-Lamayuru trek.

Ambran

Far away from the idyllic mountains of Ladakh which reverberate with Buddhist chants, Nirvana-seekers can now hear the sacred hymns in the city of temples as Jammu will soon get its first Buddhist temple-cum-cultural centre, adding another landmark to the city where thousands of students from the coldest region of the state come for studies. Although work on the cultural centre at Channi Rama was started in 2006-07, so far, only a two-storey building has been completed for which land was provided by the government. The work got stalled due to shortage of funds arranged by the All Ladakh Gompa Association which has decided to complete the building. When contacted, All Ladakh Gompa Association president Shedup Chamba said the remaining work on the centre would be started soon. “The delay was mainly because of fund shortage. It is a huge building and needs crores of rupees. All the funds are being collected through donations. We want to make it a living relic of a unique Tibetan Buddhist culture being followed in Ladakh region,” said Chamba. Apart from a ‘gompa’ (Buddhist temple), the centre will have a conference hall, rooms for visitors and an information desk to give people a glimpse of life and religious ceremonies. It will also have a meditation room-cum-library.The building has been given a typical Buddhist prayer hall shape which sets it apart from other structures in the vicinity close to the Jammu-Pathankot national highway. “For years, our students pursuing studies in Jammu have no place where they can assemble. They had to hire or rent costly hotels or auditoriums in the university to host social events,” said Sonum Dawa, member of the Ladakh Hill Development Council. Jammu has a centuries-old connection with Buddhism. Around 30 km from the city centre, there is a place called Ambran on the banks of the Chenab river in Akhnoor where archaeologists found ruins of the Kushan period which ruled the state in the eighth century. A gompa and living quarters of monks was found at the site. Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama had visited the ancient Buddhist ruins in December 2012, highlighting its importance.

Dzongkhul

Dzongkhul Monastery or Zongkhul Gompa is located in the Stod Valley of Zanskar in Jammu and Kashmir in northern India. Like the Sani Monastery, it belongs to the Drukpa school of Tibetan Buddhism. Dzongkhul has traditionally been home to famous yogins. It is sited near the foot of a wide valley which leads to the pass known as the Umasi-la which joins Zanskar and Kishtwar.Its foundation is attributed to Naropa (956-1041 CE), who was a celebrated Indian Buddhist yogi, mystic and monk from the renowned Vikramshila University in Bihar. He is said to have meditated in one of the two caves around which the gompa is built and the monastery is dedicated to him. His footprint can be seen in the rock near the entrance to the lower cave. The gompa contains images and thankas of famous Drukpa lamas. Zhadpa Dorje, a famous painter and scholar created some of the frescoes on the cave walls almost 300 years ago. Impressions of Naropa's ceremonial dagger and staff are also said to be in the rocks in his meditation cave[6] which attracts many pilgrims. Until about the 1960s there were some 20 resident monks, but the numbers have dropped sharply in more recent times. It also contains a rich collection of precious artifacts, such as an ivory image of Samvara, a crystal stupa, and texts containing spiritual songs and biographies. Dzongkhul became a flourishing Kagyu meditation centre under the Zanskari yogi Ngawang Tsering (1717-1794).Dzongkhul is in a south-western side valley of the Bardur River. It is built directly on a rock wall with two caves behind. In front are about 10 stone houses which tend to blend in with the surrounding rocks from a distance. About 10 minutes' walk from the gompa is a high viewing spot similar to the one at Hemis Monastery with a beautiful view from the terrace.

Dhankar Fort And Monastery

This beautiful monastery is locked between the rocky spurs at the top of clif in the Dhankar village at an elevation of over 3,800 meters in the Spiti valley. It is a 16th century old fort monastery, which has also served as a prison in the erstwhile era. The Dhankar Gomba is over 1000 years old and is connected to the rest of the valley through a Motorable road, which is good for small vehicle only. There is a new monastery in the small village of Shichilling below the old monastery. The old monastery is associated with the Great Translator, Rinchen Zanggpo, and its complex comprises a number of multi-storey buildings perched together.The fort of Dhankar now lies in ruins, but still is a place worthy of a visit. From the remnants of the fort one can see vast expanses of the Spiti valley. It is also of art and historical importance. Founded between 7th and the 9th Centuries, Dhankar's old temple complex occupies the southern part of the steep mountain slope of the village. It is known by the name of Lha-O-pa Gompa (monastery of the followers of Lha-O). The monastery consists of a number of multistoried buildings perched together, giving a fortress like impression. There are five different halls including Kanjur, Lhakhang, and Dukhang where a life size silver statue of Vajradhara, the Diamond Being, is placed in a glass altar embellished with scarves and flowers. Most interesting at the Lha-O-pa gompa is the small chapel on the uppermost peak above the main monastery - Lhakhang Gongma. The building is decorated with depictions of Shakyamuni, Tsongkhapa and Lama Chodrag on the central wall. Dhankar's main attraction, although least publicised, is a fresh water lake about 2.5 km from the village at a height of 13500 ft. Set amidst lush green pastures, the lake offers an idyllic camping site. Some boating facilities are proposed to be introduced in the near future. Under the Desert Development Project of Spiti the common carp variety of fish has been introduced in this lake. No angling is however, allowed in the lake. There is no rest house in the village. If you plan to halt for night, do carry tents, sleeping bags and other provisions.

Namdroling Monastery

Namdroling Monastery belongs to Sangha Community, where Buddha’s preachings are preserved intact for worldwide propagation. This monastery was founded by His Holiness, Pema Norbu Rinpoche. Home to 5000 monks and nuns, this monastery is known as a center for pure upholding of the teachings of Buddha.Currently, the Namdroling Nyingmapa Monastery is one of the largest teaching centers of Nyingmapa, which is a lineage of Tibetan Buddhism in the world. Besides, this monastery also features a retreat center, which was opened in 1985. At this retreat center, thirty monks have undergone an intensive three-year retreat.Every year in the autumn season, Pema Norbu Rinpoche gives instructions on Ngondro, Tsa Lung and Dzogchen, from the Namcho cycle of Terton Mingyur Dorje. This one month retreat can be attended only by people of Buddhism faith.

Dubdi Monastery

Dubdi Monastery, alternatively known as Yuksom Monastery, is a Buddhist shrine of the Nyingma sect of Tibetan Buddhism near Yuksom. Established in the year 1701, during the reign of Chogyal Namgyal, is considered to be the oldest monasteries in Sikkim, carrying immense historical significance to it. The literal meaning of the word ‘Dubdi’ is ‘the retreat’ which clearly be seen authenticating itself through its mesmerising hilltop location amidst the thick chestnut forest. A fair walk to the monastery introduces you to the nature’s wonderland embellished with fine tall trees, gorgeous stoned path eventually leading to the panoramic view of the snow peaked mountains, and the far off valleys and greenery.This elaborately painted two storied stone structure, stands at an altitude of 2,100 metres carrying images of divinities, saints, other symbols and collection of manuscripts and texts. Along with these, there are statues of three lamas positioned in the monastery, who worked towards the establishment of Yuksom. The ornamented bell shaped gilded dome on top of the roof is known as “Gyaltshen”. Dubdi is a sacred place named as the Hermit’s Cell after crowning of Phuntsog Namgyal as the first King or Chogyal of Sikkim at Norbugang Yuksom in the year 1642.

Enchey Monastery

Enchey Monastery is a 200-year old monastery built on a hilltop situated 3 km away from the main city. This temple was blessed by Lama Dhrupthob Karpo, a renowned saint who was known to have flying powers.

Pemyangtse Monastery

Pemayangtse Monastery is a beautiful monastery situated in Pelling in West Sikkim. It is positioned on a hilltop which overlooks the Rebdentse ruins and is built on the highest hill in the neighbouring areas. It stands out like a castle and is a stunning sight.

Do-Drul Chorten (Stupa)

Located on a hillock in Gangtok, the Stupa is marked by a golden dome that can be seen from various places in Gangtok. The Stupa was built by the Venerable Trulshik Rinpoche, head of the Nyingma order of Tibeten Buddhism, in 1945. It is surrounded by Chorten Lakhang and Guru Lakhang, where there are two huge statues of Guru Padmasambhava. It is regarded as one of the most important Buddhist stupas of Sikkim.

Rumtek Monastery

24 km from Gangtok, Rumtek Monastery is the holy seat of XVIth Gyawla Karmapa, the head of the Karma Kagyu order of Tibetan Buddhism. The beautiful shrine and monastery located here are extremely popular among the Tibetan Buddhists. The Rumtek Monastery appears very serene in the beautiful background of majestic hills and beautiful waterfalls. The massive prayer hall inside the monastery is decorated with splendid murals, statues and 'Tangkhas'. It is the largest monastery in Sikkim and reflects best of Tibetan architecture.

Lingdum Monastery

Located at an hour's drive from Gangtok, Lingdum Monastery is a Buddhist pilgrimage destination. The sprawling complex, set amid serene forested hills, is a specimen of sacred architecture. Its exquisite murals, statues and adornments, besides the impressive scale of the edifice, bring a look of wonderment to every visitor's face.Lingdum Monastery is a Buddhist pilgrimage center following the Zurmang Kagyu sect of the ancient school of Tibetan Buddhism. It is under the spiritual direction of H. E. Zurmang Gharwang Rinpoche, who is the 12th successive successor of the Kagyu sect. The monastery symbolizes the Tibetan Buddhist architecture and an eye-catching portion is its apex carved with parasols, finials and pagoda roofs over a vast courtyard. A gigantic statue of Lord Buddha is enshrined at the end of the hall; the statue is massive in size with a height of five meters, the perfectly sculpted face and the hands radiate a life like effect. The retreat center situated on a hillock behind the monastery is another interesting place not to be missed where the monks retire to meditate.

Sanga Choeling Monastery

Located in the midst of a picturesque setting with fluttering prayer flags and calm environment, Sanga Choeling is a prestigious monastery in Sikkim. It is noted to be one of the oldest and most important Buddhist shrines in Sikkim, besides, it also offers a splendid view of the snow-clad peaks. Sanga Choeling is said to be built in the year 1697 and the creator of the monastery is Gyalwa Lhatsum Chempo who was the follower of the Nyingmapa sect of Tibetan Buddhism. Inside this magnificent monastery, one can witness the ancient wall paintings, statues, unique clay statues and scriptures. There are also other important valuable artifacts stored in the premises of the Sanga Choeling Monastery, which was actually remodelled after a fire incident.

Tashiding Monastery

Tashiding Monastery reflects an old world charm and a serene ambiance that is ideal to seek some enlightenment and spirituality. The monastery binds the visitors with its attractive architecture and a snowy backdrop of grand mountain peaks. Along with being one of the oldest Buddhist Monasteries in Sikkim, it does make a destination not to be missed by the tourists. Tashiding Monastery belongs to the Nyingmapa order and was built in the 17th century on top of a hill between the two beautiful rivers, Rangit and Rathong. This popular monastery is believed to cleanse every sin of those seeking forgiveness and willing to repent. Tashiding Monastery is a must visit attraction for its festival, Bhumchhu, which is a sacred water ceremont that is celebrated joyously during the 14th and 15th day of the first month in Tibetan calendar. Surrounding the shrine are the fluttering prayer flags and holy stupas that are built for spiritual benefit of the devotees. Today, this monastery houses around 60 to 70 monks.

Phensang Monastery

Discover the spiritual side at Phensang Sangag Choling Monastery, and witness the best monastery in Sikkim. Located on an uphill, Phensang Monastery is amongst the largest monasteries in Sikkim, and has the largest number of monks. On his way to Northern zone in 1721 A.D., the 3rd Lhatsun Jigmed Pawo founded this monastery. Later in 1840, the monastery was rebuilt and it can accommodate a large number of monks. Unfortunately, in 1947 the monastery was gutted by fire but it was restored in the same year. Again in 1983, the structure was damaged due to heavy rain, but with the help of government aid and involvement, the monastery was rebuilt again.Currently, around 300 lamas of the Nyingmapa Buddhist order reside in Phensang Monastery. During the Sikkimese New Year, in the month of December a sacred dance is performed by all the monks.

Mindrolling Monastery

One of the six monasteries of the Nyingma school of Buddhism, Mindrolling Monastery, was built in 1965 by Khochhen Rinpoche. Located at a distance of 10 km from the Clement Town, Mindrolling Monastery offers an amazing view of the neighboring town. The monastery was built to renew the Mindrolling Monastery in India. Everything about the monastery is simply grand: at over 60m tall its Great Stupa is believed to be one of the world’s tallest stupa and contains a series of shrine rooms displaying relics, murals, and Tibetan art. Impressive 35 m high gold Sakyamuni Buddha Statue, dedicated to Dalai Lama, is presiding over the monastery. Few years after its formation, Mindrolling Monastery started expanding and today it is the largest Buddhist center in the world. All the masters, teachers, and followers of Nyingma lineage consider Mindrolling monastery as an inspiring example of the practice of profound Dharma of Vajrayana Buddhism.Nagyur Nyingma College, one of the largest Buddhist Institute, is also a part of the Mindrolling monastery. This state-of-the-art institute trains monks to preserve the unbroken lineage of teachings and passes them on to the next generation of practitioners. Presently, the Mindrolling organization provides education to over 300 monks, starting from primary, secondary education till research. Mindrolling organization features a well stock library and retreat center, a branch of for nuns and western retreatants who are responsible for preserving the Jetsunma line.One can see some of the most magnificent examples of Buddhist art in the interiors and exteriors of the Mindrolling Monastery. There is a huge stupa, surrounded by large prayer wheels. Also, there is a Buddha Garden where one can see huge standing Buddha keeps a watchful eye, surrounded by a fence holding dozens more large prayer wheels. Adjacent to Mindrolling Monastery is a Tibetan Refuge Colony of Clement Town, featuring healthcare clinics, residential area, dairy, shopping complex and dormitories of young monks. A visit to this Mindrolling Monastery is rejuvenating and enthralling, which one should experience at least once in life.

Dhamma Salila

Dhamma Salila is an alternative to Dhamma Sikhara for those who'd prefer a mountain setting, especially during summer. It's nestled into the Doon Valley of the Himalayas not far from Dehradun in Uttarakhand, and has a soothing riverside location. This center was established in 1995, and is relatively small. It can accommodate about 40 students in double rooms with communal bathrooms. However, it has a pagoda with separate meditation cells. 10-day courses are held twice a month throughout the year, except in January. If you don't like the cold, avoid going there from November to March.

Ghoom Monastery

Also referred to as Yiga Choeling Monastery, Ghoom Monastery houses a 15-foot high Maitreya Buddha statue that captivates the surroundings with its aura. Built in 1850 by Lama Sherpa Gyaltsho, a Mangolian Monk, it is famous for its beautiful Thangka on the walls, fancy bells, and drums. This attraction in Darjeeling is a storehouse of Tibetan translations of popular Sanskrit works such as Meghadoot by Kalidasa, Nagamandala by Sriharsa and NyayaKrit by Dharmakriti, to name a few.

Bhutia Busty Monastery

At a distance of 2 km from Darjeeling Railway Station, Bhutia Busty Monastery or Karmaa Dorjee Cheoling Monastery is a Buddhist monastery located in Bhutia Busty area of Darjeeling, West Bengal. It is one of the popular and oldest Buddhist monasteries in Darjeeling and among the top places to visit in Darjeeling.This monastery was earlier located in Observatory Hill where the Mahakal Temple stands today. It was originally built there by the Lama Dorje Rinzing in 1761 CE. According to history, the monastery was completely ravaged during Gorkha invasion in 1851 CE and was rebuilt in 1861 CE. But due to many disturbances, it had to be shifted to its present location in the year 1879. However, the monastery in the new location was also destroyed by an earthquake in 1934 CE, after which it was restored and reconstructed by the King of Sikkim. The present structure is stunning and has been built in a traditional Tibetan style with Sikkimese influence. The monastery belongs to the Red Sect of Buddhists and has links with the Kagyu and Nyingma orders of Tibetan Buddhism. The main prayer room inside the monastery has a model of Buddha in a glass case and photos of His Holiness Dalai Lama. There are also the images of Tara Devi and Lakshmiswari who is a goddess with thousand hands and eyes. On the other side of the prayer room there is a large image showing Buddha's life story.Set against the mighty Kanchenjunga, Bhutia Busty Gompa is home to stunning murals that depict the life and journey of Buddha. The monastery has a huge library, which has collections of many Tibetan and Buddhist books. One can have a glimpse of the Tibetan life and culture from these books. Travellers can also have a look at the original copy of the 'The Tibetan Book of the Dead' at the library. Photography is completely banned inside the monastery.

Japanese Temple And Peace Pagoda

Having a gleaming white structure, Peace Pagoda is a two-storey building that was constructed in 1972. This attraction in Darjeeling showcases four statues of Lord Buddha glistened with gold polish and eight sandstone carvings. During drumming prayers, visitors can immerse in the rituals by taking part in hand drum sessions. A symbol of spirituality, one can experience surreal beauty from its premises. The view of the Kanchenjunga peak and the surrounding hills and valleys look simply mesmerizing.