5 hilltop monasteries in India every traveller must visit
Sitting in the lap of nature, each of these monasteries is far from the madding crowd, and is a must-visit for those seeking peace.
If peace is what you are seeking, there can't be a better alternative than hilltop monasteries. You are from the traffic jams, pollution and deadlines of the plains. Up there, there's no toxic smoke to choke you, no noise pollution created by the honking of cars and no racing against time to reach somewhere or to finish a job. Up on that mountains, within the lap of nature, and inside a monastery, there's nothing but peace. You can simply sit in silence, observe your thoughts and find your own happy space.
The weather is also perfect to go up to the hills. We have compiled a list of some of the most beautiful hilltop monasteries that you must explore at least once in your lifetime.
Rumtek Monastery, Sikkim
A visit to this monastery is a must when you travel to Gangtok. In fact, it is one of the tourist sightseeing spots of the region. Surrounded by lush green mountains, the Rumtek Monastery is one of the oldest in India. Also known as the Dharmachakra Centre, this 18th century monastery was the seat of the Karma Kagyu lineage. The interiors of the monastery remain brightened up by some of the rarest and beautifully done Buddhist artworks in the form of wall murals and thangkas. There are as many as 1001 miniature Buddha statues made out of gold are kept inside the monastery.
How to reach: The Rumtek Monastery is located at an easy driving distance from Gangtok. Bagdogra, at 123 km, is the nearest airport, while New Jalpaiguri, at a distance of 148 km, is the nearest railway station.
Dhankar Gompa, Himachal Pradesh
Reaching this monastery will be good enough to disconnect you from the rest of the world. After all, no worldly troubles can touch you in a remote part of the country, high up at an altitude of close to 13,000 feet. Surrounded by towering peaks and a stark-yet-stunning landscape, the Dhankar Gompa in Himachal Pradesh's Spiti Valley is a fort monastery, which was the capital of the local kingdom way back in the 17th century. Around the monastery is a small village with only a handful of huts, mostly inhabited by the monks. The only way of staying in this place is by taking shelter in a homestay. Also read: Three of the remotest villages in Himachal Pradesh you can visit this summer
How to reach: There can't be a better alternative to reach this place than a locally hired vehicle. Dhankar is located at a distance of 24 km from Kaza. Taxis are available from Kaza and charge around Rs 2,000 for a round trip.
Tawang Monastery, Arunachal Pradesh
It's almost impossible to miss out on this monastery when you are talking about some of the finest places of Buddhist worship in India. The Tawang Monastery is the largest monastery in the country and is believed to be the second largest in the world, after Potala Palace in Lhasa. Situated in the Tawang river valley of Arunachal Pradesh, the monastery was built in the late 17th century by Merek Lama Lodre Gyamsto, at the behest of the fifth Dalai Lama. Within the monastery complex, there are 65 residential buildings and a library housing some of the most ancient and valuable scriptures belonging to different canons of Tibetan Buddhism. Located at an altitude of 10,000 feet, the monastery offers unparalleled views of the valley.
How to reach: Tezpur in Assam, at a distance of 143 km, has the nearest airport and railway station. Buses and taxis are available from this place.
Hemis Monastery, Jammu and Kashmir
A popular destination among those who travel to the Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir, the Hemis Monastery is located at a distance of 45 km from Leh. This old Tibetan Buddhist monastery is known among travellers from all parts of the world for the annual Hemis Festival. With traditional dance performances representing a riot of colours, this festival is a treat among tourists and an absolute delight for travel photographers. The festival is usually held in the fifth month of Tibetan calendar, which falls between the months of June and July every year.
How to reach: Hemis can be reached by road from Leh. Leh is connected to Delhi by air.
Tabo Monastery, Himachal Pradesh
Another monastery in the Spiti Valley of Himachal Pradesh, the Tabo Monastery is believed to be the oldest continuously operated Buddhist monastery in India and the Himalayas as a whole. Founded in 996 CE by Rinchen Zangpo, who was the king of the Western Himalayas, the monastery is now under the protection of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) as a national historic treasure of the country. Located at an altitude of 10,000 feet in the Tabo village, the monastery houses priceless collections of ancient thangkas, manuscripts, well-preserved statues, frescos and extensive murals that cover almost every wall of the monument.
How to reach: Tabo is 337 km from Shimla and 149 km from Reckong Peo. There's a daily public bus that departs Reckong Peo at 6:30am and reaches Tabo at 4pm. The most convenient way of reaching this place is by hired cabs from Shimla.
(The writer tweets at @SamonwayDg)