20 Buddhist Monastery in India - A Glimpse into the Abodes of Spirituality

Hello guys, welcome back to my blog. If you are someone who love peaceful places with big mountains, colourful prayer flags and old wall paintings, then you are at the right place. Today I am going to tell you about 20 famous Buddhist monasteries in India. I will tell you where they are, when they were built and what makes each one special. At the end I have also added the best time to visit and some simple tips. So let’s start.

What is a Buddhist Monastery?

In simple words, a Buddhist monastery is a place where monks (and sometimes nuns) live together, study, pray and meditate. In old Indian languages like Sanskrit and Pali it is called a vihara. In Tibetan Buddhism, which you see in Ladakh, Himachal, Sikkim and Arunachal, it is called a gompa, which means a “remote place”, as per Wikipedia. And honestly, many of them really are in remote places, on hills and cliffs far from the cities.

Most monasteries have a main prayer hall with statues and wall paintings, rooms for the monks to live, and many stupas around. I always feel that these places are not just religious buildings, they are like living museums of art and architecture.

Quick List of 20 Famous Buddhist Monasteries in India

Before going in detail, here is a quick list of all 20 monasteries so you can get the basic idea.

#	Monastery	State / UT	Known for
1	Hemis Monastery	Ladakh	Biggest monastery of Ladakh, Hemis festival
2	Thiksey Monastery	Ladakh	Looks like Potala Palace, 15 m Maitreya statue
3	Diskit Monastery	Ladakh	32 m Maitreya statue in Nubra Valley
4	Lamayuru Monastery	Ladakh	One of the oldest, moon-like landscape
5	Alchi Monastery	Ladakh	Around 900 year old Kashmiri style murals
6	Phugtal Monastery	Ladakh	Built around a cave on a cliff
7	Key Monastery	Himachal Pradesh	Largest in Spiti, looks like a fort
8	Tabo Monastery	Himachal Pradesh	Founded in 996 CE, “Ajanta of the Himalayas”
9	Namgyal Monastery	Himachal Pradesh	Personal monastery of the Dalai Lama
10	Dhankar Monastery	Himachal Pradesh	Hangs on a cliff above two rivers
11	Rumtek Monastery	Sikkim	Largest in Sikkim, golden stupa
12	Pemayangtse Monastery	Sikkim	Wooden model of Guru Rinpoche’s palace
13	Enchey Monastery	Sikkim	Pagoda style building, Chaam dance
14	Tashiding Monastery	Sikkim	Bumchu sacred water festival
15	Tawang Monastery	Arunachal Pradesh	Largest Buddhist monastery in India
16	Bomdila Monastery	Arunachal Pradesh	Replica of Tsona Gontse Monastery of Tibet
17	Ghoom Monastery	West Bengal	15 feet Maitreya statue
18	Namdroling Monastery	Karnataka	The “Golden Temple” of Bylakuppe
19	Mindrolling Monastery	Uttarakhand	185 feet tall Great Stupa
20	Nalanda Mahavihara	Bihar	UNESCO listed ancient monastery and university

Monasteries in Ladakh

Ladakh is like the home of monasteries in India. Most of them sit on hilltops with brown mountains all around, and honestly it looks like a different planet. Here are 6 monasteries from Ladakh which I think you should not miss.

1. Hemis Monastery

Hemis is the biggest and one of the most famous monastery in Ladakh. It is around 45 km from Leh, on the left bank of the Indus river. As per Vikaspedia, which shares the Archaeological Survey of India note, it was founded in the 17th century by Lama Stagsang Raspa, who was invited by King Sengge Namgyal. It is also the main seat of the Drukpa Kagyu sect in Ladakh. The Hemis festival usually happens in June–July, and a giant thangka (painted cloth) of Guru Padmasambhava is shown here only once in 12 years. So if you get lucky with the dates, don’t miss it.

2. Thiksey Monastery

Thiksey is around 19 km east of Leh and it looks a lot like the Potala Palace of Tibet, that’s why many people call it “Mini Potala”. It was founded in 1433 and it belongs to the Gelug (Yellow Hat) sect. The whole complex has 12 storeys built on a hill, painted in red, ochre and white, as you can see on Wikipedia. Inside there is a 15 metre tall statue of Maitreya Buddha which covers two full floors of the building. If you ask me, the view of the Indus valley from the top is worth the climb alone.

3. Diskit Monastery

Diskit is the oldest and largest monastery in the Nubra Valley. As per Wikipedia, it was founded in the 14th century by Changzem Tserab Zangpo and it sits on a hill above the Shyok river, in Diskit village at around 3,144 metres. Just below the monastery there is a huge 32 metre (106 feet) tall statue of Maitreya Buddha, which the Dalai Lama blessed in 2010. Honestly, this statue looking over the whole valley is one of the most beautiful sight in Ladakh.

4. Lamayuru Monastery

Lamayuru is one of the oldest and largest monasteries of Ladakh, and it is famous for the moon-like landscape around it. It is around 127 km from Leh on the Srinagar–Leh road, as per Incredible India. There is a legend that the Indian scholar Naropa dried up a lake here and then founded the monastery. Today it belongs to the Drikung Kagyu school and around 150 monks live here. I think it is the perfect stop if you are doing a road trip from Srinagar to Leh.

5. Alchi Monastery

Alchi is very different from other monasteries of Ladakh because it is built on flat land near the Indus river, not on a hill. It is famous for some of the oldest wall paintings in Ladakh, made in Kashmiri style around 900 years ago. Local tradition says the great translator Rinchen Zangpo built it, but as per Smithsonian Magazine, most scholars believe it was founded about a century later by Kalden Sherab. Today it is not an active monastery, but pilgrims and tourists still come to see it. For an art lover like me, this one is a must visit.

6. Phugtal Monastery

Phugtal is the most unique monastery in this list. It is built around a natural cave on the side of a cliff in the remote Lungnak Valley of Zanskar. As per Wikipedia, sages and monks are believed to have visited this cave around 2,550 years ago, and the present monastery was built around it later. Even today you can reach it only on foot, after a trek and crossing a hanging wooden bridge, and around 100 monks live here. Honestly, just looking at its photos gives me goosebumps.

Monasteries in Himachal Pradesh

Himachal also has some amazing monasteries, mostly in the cold desert of Spiti Valley and in Dharamshala. Spiti looks a lot like Ladakh, so if you can’t go to Ladakh, this is a great option.

7. Key Monastery

Key (also called Kye or Ki) is the largest monastery of the Spiti Valley and a training centre for lamas. It sits on top of a hill at a height of 4,166 metres, close to the Spiti river, as per Wikipedia. It is said to be founded in the 11th century by Dromtön, a student of the famous teacher Atisha. Because of many attacks in the past it was repaired again and again, and today it looks more like a fort then a monastery. Honestly, the photo of Key Monastery with snow mountains behind it is one of my favourite photos of India.

8. Tabo Monastery

Tabo, in the Spiti Valley, was founded in 996 CE by the translator Rinchen Zangpo on behalf of Yeshe-Ö, the king of Guge, as per Wikipedia. The complex has nine temples, four decorated stupas and cave shrines. As per CPREEC, it is the oldest Buddhist monastery in India and the Himalayas which is running continuously and still has its original paintings. Its murals and stucco (plaster) statues are so beautiful that people call it the “Ajanta of the Himalayas”. I think this one is a must for anyone who loves history.

9. Namgyal Monastery, Dharamshala

Namgyal is the personal monastery of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, and it is in McLeod Ganj, above Dharamshala. It was first set up in Tibet in the 16th century. After 1959 the Dalai Lama re-established it in India near his residence, as per the official Namgyal Monastery website. Today it has nearly 200 monks, and unlike most monasteries it keeps the practices of all four main Tibetan Buddhist traditions. If you are in Dharamshala, you can visit it together with the Tsuglagkhang complex, where the Dalai Lama lives.

10. Dhankar Monastery

Dhankar means “fort on a cliff”, and when you see this monastery you will understand why. It hangs on a cliff at around 3,894 metres, above the meeting point of the Spiti and Pin rivers, and it is around 1,200 years old as per Incredible India. Dhankar village was once the capital of Spiti before Kaza. The old building is slowly getting weak because the cliff is eroding, so a new monastery has been built nearby. If you ask me, visit the old one soon while you still can.

Monasteries in Sikkim

Sikkim is a small state, but it is full of beautiful monasteries with green hills all around and views of Kanchenjunga. Here are 4 which I really like.

11. Rumtek Monastery

Rumtek is the largest monastery in Sikkim, around 24 km from Gangtok, and it is also called the Dharma Chakra Centre. As per Wikipedia, it was first built in the 18th century, but when the 16th Karmapa came to Sikkim from Tibet in 1959, it was in ruins. He rebuilt it with help from the Sikkim royal family and local people, and made it his main seat in exile. It was inaugurated in 1966, and it has a golden stupa which keeps the relics of the 16th Karmapa. Honestly, the colourful prayer hall here is one of the most beautiful I have seen in photos.

12. Pemayangtse Monastery

Pemayangtse is near Pelling in West Sikkim and it is one of the oldest and most important monasteries of the state. Its name means “perfect sublime lotus”. As per Incredible India, it started as a small shrine founded by Lhatsun Chempo in the 17th century. Later, around 1705, it was made into a bigger monastery. It follows the Nyingma school. On its top floor there is a seven-tiered painted wooden model of Guru Rinpoche’s heavenly palace, called Sanghthokpalri. I think this wooden model alone is worth the visit.

13. Enchey Monastery

Enchey sits on a hill just above Gangtok, and from here you can see the Kanchenjunga range. Its name means “solitary monastery”. As per Wikipedia, it was built at the place where Lama Druptob Karpo had his hermitage, and locals believe this tantric master could fly. The present building was made in 1909 like a Chinese pagoda, and around 90 monks of the Nyingma order live here. The colourful Chaam mask dance happens here in January. Since it is only around 3 km from Gangtok, I think it is the easiest one to visit in Sikkim.

14. Tashiding Monastery

Tashiding is in West Sikkim, on a hilltop above the Rathong and Rangeet rivers, and many people consider it the holiest monastery of Sikkim. As per Wikipedia, it was founded in 1641 by Ngadak Sempa Chempo Phunshok Rigzing of the Nyingma school. It is famous for the Bumchu festival, when a sacred pot of water is opened every year around February–March. The level of water in the pot is believed to show how the coming year will be. In 2023, more than 30,000 devotees came for this festival as per EastMojo, so you can imagine how special it is for people.

Monasteries in Arunachal Pradesh

Arunachal is a bit far for most people, but trust me, the monasteries here are worth the long journey.

15. Tawang Monastery

Tawang is the largest Buddhist monastery in India, as per Wikipedia. It was founded in 1680–81 by Merak Lama Lodre Gyatso as per the wishes of the 5th Dalai Lama, and in Tibetan it is called Gaden Namgyal Lhatse. It sits at a height of more than 3,000 metres, it is three storeys high and the whole complex is enclosed by a 282 metre long wall. Inside there is a huge gilded statue of Buddha around 8 metres tall, and old scriptures like the Kangyur and Tengyur are kept here. Many people also say it is the second largest monastery in the world after the Potala Palace of Lhasa. Honestly, this is the one from this list which I want to visit the most.

16. Bomdila Monastery

Bomdila Monastery is also called Gentse Gaden Rabgyel Ling or GRL Monastery. As per Incredible India, it was set up in 1965 by the 12th Tsona Gontse Rinpoche, and it is a replica of the Tsona Gontse Monastery of South Tibet. It sits at around 8,000 feet and it is painted in bright red, yellow and white. The complex has three parts, called the Upper, Middle and Lower Gompa. Since Bomdila comes on the way to Tawang, I think you should stop here for some time.

Monasteries in Other Parts of India

You don’t always need to go to the high Himalayas to see a beautiful monastery. Here are 4 more from West Bengal, Karnataka, Uttarakhand and Bihar.

17. Ghoom Monastery, West Bengal

Ghoom Monastery, also called Yiga Choeling, is around 8 km from Darjeeling. It was built in 1850 by the monk and astrologer Lama Sherab Gyatso, and it belongs to the Gelug (Yellow Hat) school. As per Darjeeling Tourism, its main attraction is a 15 feet tall statue of Maitreya Buddha, the Buddha of the future. Two big oil lamps burn in front of this statue all through the year. One small tip guys, there is another monastery in Ghoom which locals also call Ghoom Monastery, so tell your driver you want the “old Ghoom Monastery”.

18. Namdroling Monastery, Karnataka

This is the one which surprises most people, because it is in South India. Namdroling is in Bylakuppe, near Kushalnagar in Karnataka, and people call it the “Golden Temple”. As per Wikipedia, Penor Rinpoche started it in 1963 with just a small bamboo temple of around 80 square feet, while he himself lived in a tent. Today it is the largest Nyingma monastery in the world, and its Golden Temple, opened in 1999, has space for several thousand monks. Inside there are three giant golden statues and there is no entry fee, as per Phayul. Honestly, from a bamboo hut to this, the story itself is so inspiring.

19. Mindrolling Monastery, Uttarakhand

Mindrolling is in Clement Town, Dehradun. Its roots go back to Tibet in 1676, as per Incredible India, and the monastery in Dehradun was built in 1965 by Khochhen Rinpoche. Its biggest highlight is the Great Stupa, which is 185 feet tall and was inaugurated on 28 October 2002, as per the official Mindrolling website. There is also a huge golden statue of Shakyamuni Buddha here. If you are going to Mussoorie, I will suggest you to keep half a day for this place.

20. Nalanda Mahavihara, Bihar

The last one in my list is very different, because it is not a living monastery but the ruins of a great ancient one. Nalanda in Bihar was a famous Buddhist mahavihara (great monastery) and one of the earliest planned universities of the world, as per UNESCO. It was set up around the 5th century CE in the Gupta period, and for around 750 years great scholars taught here. The famous Chinese traveller Xuanzang also came here in the 7th century. In 2016 it became a UNESCO World Heritage Site. For an architecture lover, walking through these red brick ruins is like walking through history.

Best Time to Visit and Some Simple Tips

Since these monasteries are spread all over India, the best time to visit is different for each region. Here is a simple table to help you plan.

Region	Best time to visit
Ladakh	May to September
Spiti (Himachal)	Mid-May to late September
Sikkim	March to May, October to mid-December
Tawang	March to May, September to November
Darjeeling	September to October
Bylakuppe	Any time of the year

For Dharamshala, Dehradun and Nalanda you can go most of the year, but I personally like October to March, when the weather is cool and pleasant.

Some Simple Tips for Visiting Monasteries

These are some basic manners which travel guides like High Asia Tours also suggest, plus a few practical tips from my side.

Remove your shoes before going inside the prayer halls.
Wear modest clothes that cover your shoulders and knees.
Always walk clockwise around stupas, and turn prayer wheels in the clockwise direction.
Keep your phone on silent and don’t touch the statues, murals or other sacred objects.
Many monasteries don’t allow photos inside the prayer halls, so ask before clicking.
For Tawang and Bomdila, Indian tourists need an Inner Line Permit (ILP) which you can apply online, and foreigners need a Protected Area Permit, as per the Tawang district website. Single-use plastic is also banned in Tawang district, so carry your own bottle.
In Ladakh and Spiti, take one or two days of rest first so your body can adjust to the high altitude.

FAQs

Which is the largest Buddhist monastery in India?

Tawang Monastery in Arunachal Pradesh is the largest Buddhist monastery in India. It was founded in 1680–81 by Merak Lama Lodre Gyatso.

Which monastery is called the “Ajanta of the Himalayas”?

Tabo Monastery in the Spiti Valley of Himachal Pradesh is called the “Ajanta of the Himalayas” because of its old murals and stucco statues. It was founded in 996 CE.

Is there any famous Buddhist monastery in South India?

Yes, Namdroling Monastery in Bylakuppe, Karnataka is very famous. It is also known as the Golden Temple and it is the largest Nyingma monastery in the world.

Which is the personal monastery of the Dalai Lama?

Namgyal Monastery in McLeod Ganj, Dharamshala is the personal monastery of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama.

What is the best time to visit monasteries in Ladakh?

The best time to visit monasteries in Ladakh is from May to September, when the weather is pleasant and most places are easy to reach.

Final Words

So guys, these were 20 famous Buddhist monasteries in India, from the cold deserts of Ladakh to the green hills of Sikkim and even down to Karnataka. I have tried to cover their history, location and what makes each one special, in simple words. As it is said that peace comes from within, but honestly these places make it a little easier to find. If you have visited any of these, do tell me your favourite one in the comments. Keep visiting The Indian Architecture for more such blogs.

20 Buddhist Monastery in India – A Glimpse into the Abodes of Spirituality