10 Must-Visit Monasteries In India

1. Tawang Monastery

Located on one of the best trekking spots in India, Tawang Monastery is in the scenic Arunachal Pradesh. Nestled at an elevation of 3500 m (11483 ft), its serene and breathtaking surroundings make this monastery an ideal place to seek the peace of mind. Known by the locals as the Chosen Horse Monastery, Tawang Monastery is the birthplace of the sixth Dalai Lama. Within its compound, visitors will find sixty-five residential buildings that serve as shelter to hundreds of monks and lamas. The library in one of these buildings contains an impressive collection of holy relics and manuscripts. Cultural festivals are also a big part of the monastery.

Tawang Monastery

Address: Cona, Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh 790104

Website: Tawang Monastery

Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 7am - 5pm; Fri- Sat: 5pm - 12am (closed on Sun)

2. Rumtek Monastery

Rumtek Monastery is one of the most expansive and most-visited holy places in the city of Sikkim. Travelers, especially devotees, always make this place a priority to visit despite the city having over a hundred monasteries. One of the reasons behind this is that Rumtek Monastery is one of the most vibrant and grandest in India. If you want to experience the best of this monastery, the best time to visit is February or March. The monastery celebrates the Tibetan New Year during these months. Special prayers, processions, and lively masked dance are part of the festivities.

Rumtek Monastery

Address: Tsurphu Labrang Pal Karmae Sangha Dhuche, Dharma Chakra Centre, Sikkim 737135, India

Website: Rumtek Monastery

Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)

3. Thiksey Monastery

One of the things that will fascinate you about Thiksey Monastery is the uniqueness of its architecture. Entering the place, you’ll immediately feel like you’re in a different world, especially with its setting. Another great thing here, visitors will find this monastery easy to navigate. The most important building is at the top of the hill. Its main attraction is the statue of Maitreya Buddha that stands at 49 ft (15 m). The best time for an Instagram-worthy shot is when the sun’s just about to set, and the skies are with colorful hues, and Thiksey Monastery is below it.

Thiksey Monastery

Address: Leh Manali Hwy, Thiksey, Jammu and Kashmir 194201

Opening hours: 7am - 7pm (daily)

Price: 0.27 USD

4. Phuktal Monastery

If you find yourself needing solitude, one of the best things to do is to reconnect with nature. One way to do this is to indulge in a trekking adventure, and Zanskar is the right place. While trekking, you might be surprised to see a cluster of little huts at the mouth of a cave. These wood-built huts are Phuktal Monastery. There is a suspended bridge you need to walk through to reach the monastery. During the monsoon, Phuktal Monastery becomes more breathtaking than the average. Buddhist art and heritage are evident from the wall and ceiling paintings found inside the monastery.

Phuktal Monastery

Address: Darcha, Jammu and Kashmir 194302

Price: Free

5. Hemis Monastery

Hemis Monastery might not be among the largest monasteries, but it certainly is the oldest monastery in India established during the 11th century. It boasts a rich history, and it’s also the wealthiest monastery in Ladakh that shares its root with Naropa, an ancient pupil of Buddhism believed to achieve enlightenment in Hemis. If you want to experience Hemis Monastery in all its glory, the best time to visit is between June and July. During this time, the lively Hemis Festival takes place. A masked dance will welcome you together with natives wearing traditional clothing.

Hemis Monastery

Address: Hemis, Jammu and Kashmir 194201

Opening hours: 8am - 1pm, 2pm - 6pm (daily)

6. Enchey Monastery

Gangtok is one of the most captivating places in Sikkim. It’s no wonder a lot of tourists make it a priority on their lists to visit, especially with it being home to Enchey Monastery. It’s one of the ancient Buddhist monasteries here that plays an important role in the town’s tourism. It’s surrounded by pine trees, and the cliff it is on gives visitors all the solitary they need. Its colorful architecture is home to more or less than a hundred monks. The founder of this holy place is Lama Druptob Karpo, a master in the art of flying.

Enchey Monastery

Address: Gangtok, Sikkim 737103, India

Website: Enchey Monastery

Opening hours: 6am - 7pm (daily)

7. Namdroling Nyingmapa Monastery

Founded by Pema Norby Rinpoche in 1963, Namdroling Nyingmapa Monastery is the largest teaching center of Nyingmapa. The monastery used to be just a bamboo structure in a small land. However, over the years, the monastery underwent a lot of transformation that makes it what it is now — grand. One cannot visit without appreciating all the nooks and corners of this monastery, especially its number of golden paintings. One of the rules here is for tourists to remove their footwear when entering the temple. Everything about this monastery is tranquil, especially its sprawling grounds, where silence is revered.

Namdroling Nyingmapa Monastery

Address: Arlikumari, Bylakuppe, Karnataka 571104, India

Opening hours: 9am - 6pm (daily)

8. Ghoom Monastery

One of the main tourist attractions in Darjeeling, Ghoom Monastery or The Ghum, is easily accessible from Ghoom Railway Station. The founder of this place is Lama Sherab Gyatso and it was established in the mid-19th century, making it the oldest monastery in the region. With it being 7470 ft (2277 m) above sea level, visitors will have the pleasure of witnessing scenic nature views while exploring the monastery. The major attraction here is the statue of Lord Buddha, which stands at 15 ft (5 m). It is adorned with precious stones and pure gold, which makes it ethereal and captivating. For those who want to learn about Buddhist scriptures, its library is the place to go.

Ghoom Monastery

Address: Ghoom, Darjeeling, West Bengal 734102, India

Website: Ghoom Monastery

9. Tabo Monastery

Tabo Monastery is one of the oldest monasteries in India, established by Rinchen Zangpo in 996 AD. Its location is in Spiti Valley, a place you need to see for yourself as it is truly magical. Tabo Monastery houses a total of nine temples, with one holding the holy ‘Wheel of Law". Almost every part of the monastery comes with real-life paintings, from the walls to its ceilings. There are also several caves encircling the place. It’s the main reason why it is also known as the “Ajanta of the Himalayas”. For those visitors who want to learn a thing or two about Buddhism, you may do so in this monastery.

Tabo Monastery

Address: Tabo, Himachal Pradesh 172113, India

Website: Tabo Monastery

Opening hours: 6am - 7pm (daily)

10. Kye Monastery

Perched atop a hill, Kye Monastery is a famous Tibetan Monastery in Spiti Valley. Considered to be over 1000 years old, it is one of the oldest monasteries in the region. If ever you decide to visit this monastery, one of the things to expect is serenity. You’ll also be mesmerized by the beauty of its surroundings. It houses ancient Buddhist scrolls and paintings. There are some lamas, monks, and nuns who live here.

Kye Monastery

Address: Key, Himachal Pradesh 172114, India

Website: Kye Monastery

Opening hours: 6am - 6pm (daily)

A spiritually enriching journey to India

There are times when we feel suffocated with everything. There are also instances in our lives where things are getting too much for us to handle. Maybe a break from it all will be the best thing to do. Consider going on a trip where you can find inner peace and gain inspiration. As the saying goes, life is too short to stay in one place. So travel, wander, satisfy the explorer in you, and of course, indulge in a spiritually enriching journey that will change you for the better.