Exploring North India? Here Is A List Of Must To Visit Monasteries

Monastery refers to a building or a group of buildings, which includes the domestic quarters of monastics (monks and nuns) and a place reserved for prayers. Monasteries vary in size, and there are many such structures in the North of India. Located at picturesque locations, some of these monasteries date back to the 14th Century. Here’s a list of popular monasteries in North India that one should certainly visit.

Alchi Monastery

Alchi monastery is one of the few monasteries in Ladakh that is not perched on a hill. Its situated on the banks of the Indus. Renowned as the oldest Buddhist learning centre in Ladakh, Alchi Monastery is located 70 km from Leh in Jammu and Kashmir in north India on the bank of Indus River. A national heritage site, it is distinct from other monasteries in Ladakh as it is situated on flat ground unlike others which are located on hilltops. The foundation of the monastery was laid by Tibetan translator Rinchen Zangpo in the middle of 12th century.

Chemrey Monastery

Dedicated to the Drugpa order of Tibetan Buddhism, Chemrey Monastery is situated 40 km from Leh in Ladakh region in Jammu and Kashmir. An important centre of Buddhist learning, the monastery attracts large number of tourists because of its picturesque location. The monastery was founded in 1664 AD by Lama Tagsang Raschen who also founded Hemis monastery. The monastery is also dedicated to King Sengge Namgyal who was instrumental in the spread of Tibetan Buddhism in Ladakh. About 20 monks reside in the monastery. The monastery complex comprises number of shrines, Dukhang (assembly hall) and the Lhakhang (Lama temple).

Dhankar Monastery

Strategically built at highest location in Spiti Valley, Dhankar Monastery was once the capital of Spiti in 17th century. It is one of the five main Buddhist centres and tourist destinations in Spiti region.
Centrally located in Spiti region, Dhankar Monastery offers panoramic view of the Spiti valley. It is situated in Lahaul and Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh in north India.
Even in ancient times, it was chosen by the Nonos to have better control and safety from its enemy. The Dhankar fort was traditional home for the Nonos, the royals of Spiti.
Remote and cut off from other parts of the country, modernization has bypassed Dhankar. Dhankar is situated at the confluence of Spiti and Pin Rivers. The seventh century Buddhist monastery is the second highest in the world after Ki Monastery and an important centre of Buddhist learning since the seventh century. The new monastery has been constructed at Shichilling Village and houses about 150 Lamas.

Diskit

It is the administrative centre of Nubra Valley, located on the edge of cold desert in Shyok Valley. The 350-year-old Diskit Monastery is very popular. This place is a famous Buddhist monastery. The cold desert between Diskit and Hundur are another attraction for tourists.

Hemis monastery

Hemis Monastery is revered as the largest monastic institution in Ladakh district of Jammu and Kashmir in north India. The monastery has more than 200 branches with more than 1,000 monks in the Himalayan region. Situated in the foothills of Indus at a distance of 45 km from Leh, the monastery has access to motorable roads. Travelling to Hemis monastery itself is a thrilling experience and the surroundings make the journey a memorable one.