Buddha Purnima marks the birth anniversary of Gautam Buddha. Every year, devotees across the world celebrate the birth of their spiritual leader by visiting monasteries and offering prayers. In Bihar, you’ll also see a lot of people offering milk near the Bodhi Tree. Gautama Buddha, an ascetic, was born Prince Siddhartha Gautam but eventually advocated for self-discipline and peace until he attained nirvana or liberation.
The importance of meditative practices is one of the most important things you can learn from Gautam Buddha. The Buddhist monasteries in India serve to teach you exactly that. Let’s explore some of the best monasteries in India.
Phuktal Monastery, Ladakh
Nestled in Zanskar, Ladakh, the Phuktal Monastery is a remote Buddhist sanctuary built around 2,500 years ago. It’s perched at the mouth of a natural cave on a cliff and resembles a honeycomb from afar. You can reach here only on foot via challenging trekking routes, but once you reach, the calm ambiance will more than make up for your fatigue.
Phuktal in the Zanskari dialect means Cave at Leisure. There’s even a school right next to the monastery that you can visit. You’ll be humbled when you discover the noble intention of the monks to provide free education to local children. Inside, there are prayer rooms, a library, a kitchen, guest quarters, and accommodation for approximately 700 monks.
Timings: 6:00 am to 4:00 pm
Key Monastery, Himachal Pradesh
The Lahaul and Spiti District in Himachal Pradesh have long hidden the awe-inspiring Key Monastery at an altitude of 4,166 meters near the Spiti River. It’s also the largest monastery in Spiti Valley. Amongst the locals, you’ll also hear people calling it Kye Monastery or Ki Monastery. It was founded by Dromton, a disciple of Buddhist spiritual leader Atisha, in the 11th century.
The monastery houses Buddha idols in the Dhyana posture and preserves a collection of ancient texts and murals. You must visit here if you’re intrigued by Buddhism because this is a religious education hub for approximately 300 Lamas. But no matter your interest, we highly recommend visiting this monastery in June or July for the vibrant Cham Festival.
At the festival, you’ll see a procession of the Chaam dancers. All decked in colorful costumes and masks, they perform a dance to ward off evil spirits. Eventually, a demon made of butter is set ablaze. To celebrate this festival the true way, prepare to lie down and have the Lamas walk over you, as part of the rituals!
Mindrolling Monastery, Dehradun
The Mindrolling Monastery, also known as the Buddha Temple Complex, is in Clement Town, Dehradun, amidst the Himalayan foothills. It’s also one of India’s largest Buddhist centers. This monastery is truly an architectural masterpiece with multiple floors. You’ll find peace not because it’s a monastery but because of the serene gardens surrounding it.
Accessible via cabs or local transport, it’s best to visit between April and June for pleasant weather. Don’t miss the opportunity to admire the 39-meter-high Buddha statue.
Ghoom Monastery, Darjeeling
The Yiga Choeling Monastery or old Ghoom Monastery, nestled at 2,438 meters in Darjeeling, stands as the oldest Tibetan Buddhist Monastery. It was founded in 1850 by Lama Sherab Gyatso of the Gelugpa sect. Don’t forget to marvel at the 4 meter Maitreyi Buddha statue crafted from Tibetan clay under Lama Domo Geshe Rinpoche’s leadership. Manuscripts of Buddhist significance are also found here that you can read against the backdrop of panoramic views of Mount Kanchenjunga.
The monastery’s adorned walls exhibit diverse Buddha deities and lamas while oil lamps brighten the central hall. Don’t forget to pay your respects at the Maa Daat Kali temple a short distance from here.
Tawang Monastery, Arunachal Pradesh
Going further west, you’ll reach Arunachal Pradesh that houses the Tawang Monastery, also known as the Golden Namgyal Lhatse, in Tawang. It’s one of the most prominent landmarks in Arunachal Pradesh and prides itself on being the second-largest monastery in the whole world.
It was founded by Merak Lama Lodre Gyamtso to fulfill the wish of the 5th Dalai Lama and it still retains strong ties to the Gelugpa sect of Buddhism. The statue of Lord Buddha here is what attracts both peace and tourists because of its ornate interiors adorned with intricate artwork.
Namdroling Monastery, Karnataka
Located 34 km from Coorg, Karnataka, Namdroling Monastery is the principal teaching center of Nyingmapa, a Tibetan Buddhist school. You might have even heard of it as the ‘Golden Temple’. As soon as you step in, you’ll see colossal golden statues of Guru Padmasambhava, Buddha Sakyamuni, and Amitayus.
Presently, you’ll find structures such as educational institutions and a hospital that serves approximately 5,000 Sangha members. You can take all the time you want to marvel at the paintings here that depict Tibetan mythology. During the later hours of the day, you can even stroll in the garden. If you wish to stay indoors, spark a conversation with the monks here who’ll delight you with their simplistic and peaceful thoughts.
Summing Up
A monastery is one of those places that holds the power to transport you to a world of peace, calmness, and stillness. If you want to master exactly that, you should visit one or all of these monasteries in India.
FAQs
Which Is The Largest Buddhist Monastery In India?
Tawang Monastery in Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh, is the largest monastery in India.
Are Buddhist Monks Allowed To Have Kids?
No, celibacy is one of the principles that must be followed if you’re a Buddhist monk.
What Are The 4 Sacred Buddhist Places?
The 4 most sacred places for Buddhists in South Asia are:
- Lumbini: where Lord Buddha was born
- Bodh Gaya: where he attained enlightenment
- Sarnath: where he announced his first teachings
- Kushinagar: where he left the mortal world and attained nirvana.
