Monasteries in India are like a sanctuary and a place where people go to rest and enjoy life’s tranquility. These monasteries, which date back over 1,000 years, offer a comfortable atmosphere with many amenities including food, accommodation, and massage. Some of the most beautiful monasteries in India are just waiting for you to step inside and experience serenity with last minute flights.
Enjoy the beauty of Indian hospitality & spirituality with these top 5 monasteries:-
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The breathtaking views of Hemis Monastery – Leh Ladakh
Located on the banks of the Indus River, against the stunning backdrop of Ladakh, the Hemis Monastery (or Hemisgompa) is one of the largest monasteries in the newly constituted Union Territory. The enormous white monastery complex sits atop a hill, its structures occupying practically every inch of the summit, one edifice looking poised over the other. The monastery is one of the most popular day excursions from Leh and is located immediately beyond the picturesque settlement of Hemis, right along the Leh-Manali route for Tourists all around the world especially Canadian travelers coming by Canada to India flight. The monastery sits in solitude, almost like the meditating monks inside its gloomy rooms, silhouetted against vast barren mountains and an incredibly beautiful blue sky.
The monastery, considered one of the most important among the numerous ones scattered across Ladakh, houses various religious treasures, most of which the museum displays. These treasures include a statue of Lord Buddha, gold and silver stupas, thangka (religious) paintings, and an astonishing collection of items. Tourists coming by last minute flights can stay at the monastery guest house for a more immersive experience.
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Glimpses of Eye-catching Namdroling Monastery – Karnataka
The Namdroling Monastery, often known as ‘The Golden Temple,’ is one of India’s largest Tibetan communities. The Golden Temple complex is located near Bylakuppe, about 5 kilometers from Kushalanagara in the Kodagu district of Karnataka, and is home to over 16000 refugees and 600 monks.
The principal features within the temple are the sculptures of Lord Buddha in the center, with Lord Amitayus and Lord Padmasambhava on either side. Visitors coming to India by flight bookings of cheap tickets to India can pray, contemplate, make donations, and rotate the mani prayer drums. Rotating these prayer drums is thought to provide the same effect as repeating the Buddhist prayer “Om Mani Padme Hum.”
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Enchant your spirit with Tabo Monastery – Spiti Valley, Himachal Pradesh
This seemingly mundane town of mud cottages has some stunning delights. It is located in a bowl-shaped flat valley, with the Tabo Monastery at the valley’s bottom, as opposed to other monasteries, which are often set above hills. There are galleries of wall paintings and stucco figures here, earning it the moniker “Ajanta of the Himalaya,” after the Maharashtrian location with tunnels rich in art.
Tabo, the largest monastery complex in Spiti Valley, dates back to its foundation in 996 AD. Tibetan Buddhist Iotsawa (translator) Rinchen Zangpo is said to have built it on behalf of Yeshe-O, the monarch of Guge in the western Himalayas. It has nine temples, 23 chortens, and a room for monks and nuns.
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Endow your journey with the sacred Ghoom Monastery – Darjeeling, West Bengal
Ghum Monastery, commonly known as Ghoom Gompa, is a renowned tourist site in Darjeeling. Situated at an elevation of 2225 meters above sea level, this picturesque site offers stunning views of the Eastern Himalayas. Moreover, it stands as the highest point along the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway route. For tourists booking cheap tickets to India, this foggy town provides an array of attractions. Consequently, visitors can explore these tourist destinations as part of a beautiful Darjeeling tour.
The hill town has been attracting visitors ever since the mountain train was constructed. The town is beautiful, graced with natural beauty, and a treasure trove of numerous monasteries. The most renowned monastery in the area is Yi Ga Choling Gompa, also known as Ghoom Monastery. Builders constructed it in 1850, and it accommodates a 5m tall statue of the Coming Lord Buddha. The yellow sect of Buddhists worships the location. The monastery has over 300 beautifully bound Tibetan scriptures as well as amazing antique artwork. Here live over 30 Gelugpa School monks.
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Explore the divinity of Rumtek Monastery – Sikkim
Rumtek Monastery, situated approximately 20 kilometers from Gangtok, also goes by the name Dharma Chakra Centre. It serves as the residence of His Holiness Gyalma Karmapa the XVI, the leader of the Tibetan Buddhist order Karma Kagyu. This monastery, built in the 16th century, is the largest in Sikkim, showcasing Tibetan architecture and unique Buddhist art artifacts. It is a perfect spiritual destination for tourists arriving on last-minute flights from around the world. The enormous prayer hall inside the monastery boasts lavish ornamentation with magnificent murals, sculptures, and ancient thankas (Buddhist paintings on fabric). You can also find beautiful paintings depicting the Kargyu lineage and eight Bodhisattvas.
The primary architectural style of the building follows that of Tibetan monasteries. Its interior features murals, frescos, and paintings. In the main structure, a shrine hall houses a 10-foot-high statue of Sakyamuni Buddha. The monasteries in India also get house four sculptures representing the protectors of the universe: Virupaksha, Virudaka, Dhritarashtra, and Vaishravana. Legend has it that when the 9th Karmapa scattered holy rice after conducting a ritual, four grains fell around Sikkim, with one landing on the site of the ancient Rumtek Monastery, a 15-minute walk down the slope from the Dharma Chakra Centre.
The monasteries in India are some of the most magnificent buildings you’ll ever see. This is one of the reasons why you will love traveling to this beautiful country. Maybe you also have a special place for these ancient places?
