The remote
valleys of Lahaul, Spiti and
Kinnaur have strong Buddhist
traditions. Splendid gompas,
Buddhist monasteries, built
along bare mountain-sides
seem to be a part of the rugged
terrain. These are the repositories
of a wealth of Buddhist art
and culture. The dim, cool
interiors of ancient monasteries
glow with the brilliance of
painted murals, stuccos and
elaborate thangkas framed
with rich borders of silk.
In Dharamsala, where the Dalai
Lama has settled in exile,
is a marvelous Tibetan township
where an entire cultural tradition
is being nurtured. It is a
centre that attracts scholars,
pilgrims and tourists.
REWALSAR:
Perhaps the most sacred spot
for Buddhists in Himachal
Pradesh, Rewalsar is 20 km
south west of Mandi. According
to legend, Guru Padmasambhava
departed for Tibet from this
beautiful spot, to spread
the 'dharma'. A pagoda-style
monastery stands along the
edge of the lake.
GURU GHANTAL
MONASTERY(3020 m): This is
on the right bank of Chandra
river about 4 kms. above Tandi
and is believed to be the
oldest Gompa of Lahaul having
wooden structure with pyramidal
roofs, wood carving, preserving
the idols of Padmasambhava
& Brajeshwari Devi. On
the full moon night in mid-June
a festival called "GHANTAL"
is celebrated by Lamas &
Thakurs together.
KARDANG MONASTERY(3500
m): It is about 5 kms. from
Keylong across Bhaga river.
It is believed to be built
in 12th century. Monastery
has a large library of Kangyur
and Tangyur volumes of Budhist
scriptures in Bhoti. Kardang
village was once the capital
of Lahaul.
SHASHUR MONASTERY:
Situated on a hill about 3
kms from Keylong (Lahaul &
Spiti) towards north on the
same slope. During June/ July
this monastery attracts a
large number of visitors when
Lamas perform the devil dance.
It was founded in the 17th
century a.d. It belongs to
red hat sec and is located
among the blue pines. The
paintings represent the history
of 84 Buddhas.
TAYUL GOMPA(3900
m): Tayul Gompa is 6 kms.
from Keylong (Lahaul &
Spiti) and is one of the oldest
monasteries of the valley
having a huge statue of Guru
Padmasamhava about 5m high
and houses library of Kangyur
having 101 volumes. In Tibetan
language Ta-Yul means the
chosen place. There is an
interesting story behind this.
KYE MONASTERY:
It is situated 12 kms. north
of Kaza (Lahaul & Spiti)
and serves the western population
of Spiti. It is the oldest
and biggest monastery of the
valley and located at (4116
m) above Kye village. It houses
beautiful scriptures and paintings
of Buddha and other goddesses.
Lamas practice dance, sing
and play on pipes and horns.
Relegious training to Lama's
is imparted here. It has murals
and books of high value.
THANG YUG
GOMPA: It is located 13 kms.
above Kaza (Lahaul & Spiti)
serving western part of central
Spiti. Situated in a secluded
place in the narrow gauge
of Kaza Nallah, it generally
has a Lama from Tibet. Above
this there is a long plateau
which leads to Shilla peak.
