Lhalung Monastery

Lahaul & Spiti Valley is a beautiful place in Himachal that is located between Tibet and India. The valley is covered with beautiful mountains and its monasteries, nature, and other attractions are worth visiting. Spiti valley is known for its amazing monasteries, each having its history.

These monasteries are visited by thousands of people across the world who are in search of peace and serenity. So, if you are visiting the valley, then do not miss out on some of the famous monasteries such as Tabo, Dhankar, Key, and Lhalung Monastery, Lahaul & Spiti Valley.

Know more about these monasteries before you decide to visit the valley.

The Ancient Tabo Monastery

It is one of the most ancient and popular monasteries in Lahaul & Spiti Valley that goes back to 996 CE. The monastery has to be reconstructed in the 1980s as it got destructed due to the earthquake. It houses around 45 monks, 4 stupas that are beautifully decorated, 9 temples, 23 cave shrines, and a monk’s chamber. If you are visiting this place, then you can feast your eyes with two beautiful monasteries in Tabo – the old and the new. While the old one is a heritage property of the Archaeological Survey of India, the new one is taken care of by the local government.

When you are visiting the monastery, you will be amazed by its untouched beauty consisting of ancient paintings, manuscript, clay statues, frescos, murals, etc. that represent the Tibetan Buddhism. The Tabo Monastery is also famously known as the Ajanta of the Himalayas.

The Biggest Monastery – Key Monastery

The Key Monastery is the biggest monastery of the Spiti Valley. It was founded in the 11th century and is located on the top of the hill with temples constructed on top of it. When you visit the monastery, you can have a clear view of the Spiti river valley and the Himalayas. The Key monastery is the place where Lamas have their religious training center and houses 350 Lamas. Apart from many Lamas present in the monastery, you can also find manuscripts, antique books, Buddha reliquary, and murals. The Key Monastery is a perfect example of a monastic structure.

One of the Oldest Monastery - Lhalung Monastery

The Lhalung Monastery is one of the oldest monasteries that was established by a Buddhist Mahaguru, Rinchen Zangpo in the 10th century. It is also known as the Golden Temple or Sarkhang. Lhalun is translated as the ‘land of the gods’ and Lhalung god is said to be the head of all gods. The people of the Spiti valley believe that the Tangmur mountain, from where the gods appear, changes colour according to the moods of the gods. For example, if the mountain is red, then it would mean that the gods are angry and if it turns yellow, then the gods are happy. Since it has been preserved very well, you will find it to be representing ancient Tibet.

The Lhalung Monastery also has a sacred tree that was planted by Rinchen Zangpo. It is also said that the monastery was built overnight by the gods soon after the Buddhist Mahaguru planted the tree. The monastery also houses a collection of Buddhist scriptures of the Kangyur. The library of the monastery also has Thangkas that depicts the life of a Buddha.

The Popular Gandhola Monastery

It is yet another monastery that one should visit in the Lahaul & Spiti Valley. The monastery, like other monasteries, is surrounded by mountains and sand dunes. It is also one of the oldest monasteries in Lahaul and was established in the 8th century by Guru Rinpoche. The monastery is very to close the confluence of the Chandra and Bhaga river. It houses many Dhrupka monks and nuns, religious treasures, and beautiful architecture. Even though the monastery was renovated in the late 1950s, it still has a touch on the ancient Buddhist monastery.

One of the most unique features of the monastery is the wooden statue of Buddha. You can also awe yourself with the sculptures made of clay. You can also find statues of some of the famous gurus and lamas in the monastery. When you visit the monastery, you will find an image of the Goddess Kali made of black stone, murals, paintings, white marbles, etc.

Tangyud Monastery – the Highest Motorable Monastery

The Tangyud monastery looks like a castle with red, white, and blue stripes. It has a long courtyard that has quarters for monks and a prayer hall. When you are visiting the monastery, you will find traditional decorative items that make it look attractive and beautiful. It is also very famous as it is one of the highest altitude monasteries in the country. The monastery is located at an altitude of 4520 meters. The village located at the foot of the monastery has a population of only 114 people and also has the world’s highest post office.

When to Travel to Lahaul & Spiti Valley

Even though the valley is accessible throughout the year, the best time to travel to the valley is between June – November. This is also the tourist season as many tourists visit the valley to see the beautiful scenery and the monasteries. The weather during this time is also pleasant and hence, roaming around the valley is suitable.

How to Reach Lahaul & Spiti Valley

The valley is located near the mountains and hence, it can only be accessed by road. So, if you are planning a trip to the valley, then you should hire a taxi that will take you to the valley and bring you back. However, make sure that you are prepared for 9 days trip to the valley if you want to cover the whole place. If you are into adventure, then you can also hire a bike and enjoy the trip to the valley. There many bike rental agencies in Shimla, Manali, and Kaza from where you can rent a bike.

Can you Stay in the Lahaul & Spiti Valley?

Yes, you can stay in the valley. Even though you may not find big hotels in the valley, you can easily find small accommodations that are comfortable even for a family.