Monasteries run by Buddhists are among the most revered sites of devotion. In their quest for tranquilly, millions of people from all over the world visit these places of worship. We present to you a list of the world’s most incredible monasteries.
- Taktsang or Tiger’s Nest Monastery, Bhutan
The Taktsang Monastery, also known as the Tiger’s Nest, is perched on the edge of a 900-meter cliff, and it is a commanding site that has long been associated with Bhutan. The monastery is reachable by road; nevertheless, there is a two- to three-hour hike from the parking area to the monastery. Guru Rinpoche is said to have flown here from Tibet on the back of a tigress. Since then, Taktsang has become known as a holy place where any wild animal can be brought up as a pet.
- Ki Gompa, Spiti Valley, India
At a height of 13,667 feet, Key Gompa, also known as Ki Monastery, is a notable Tibetan Buddhist monastery dating back 1,000 years. Parts of the building that have undergone numerous restorations and demolitions can be seen on the trail going up to the monastery. As a result, the monastery now resembles a fort with temples stacked on top of one another and has a box-like appearance.The best time to visit Spiti is between the march to June. This is also one of the best Himachal Pradesh Destinations in Himachal Pradesh.
- Yumbulagang Monastery, Tibet
Yumbulagang, which served as the palace of the first Tibetan king, Nyatri Tsenpo, is said to have been the first building ever built in Tibet. In Tibetan, the name translates to “Palace of Mother and Son.” The palace was converted into a monastery of the Gelugpa School during the rule of the fifth Dalai Lama. Sadly, it got a lot of damage during the Cultural Revolution and only had one level until 1983, when it was rebuilt.
- Hanging Monastery, China
One of China’s most amazing vistas is the Hanging Monastery, which hangs precariously 75 metres above the ground midway up a cliff. This amazing monastery, which consists of a network of 40 chambers connected by walkways and hallways suspended in midair, was constructed in the fifth century AD and has been “hanging” there for the past 1500 years.
- Taung Kalat, Burma
The Buddhist monastery of Taung Kalat, situated on an extinct volcano cap, is regarded as one of Burma’s most stunning places. Visitors must ascend the 777 steps to the monastery in order to get there. A stunning panoramic view of the area is available from the summit of Taung Kalat. Both the enormous, lone Mount Popa and the historic city of Bagan are visible.
- Lama Temple, Beijing
The Lama Temple (Yonghe Temple), situated in the northeastern portion of Beijing, is one of the greatest Tibetan Buddhist monasteries in the world. The temple was created by Chinese emperors who had a keen interest in the Tibetan style of Buddhism. Over the years, many Tibetan and Mongolian monks have lived and taught here. The temple has a 26-meter-high figure of Maitreya Buddha made from a single piece of white sandalwood.
- Punakha Dzong, Bhutan
Punakha Dzong, one of Bhutan’s historic dzongs, stands regal on an island between the confluence of the Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu rivers. A dzong is a building that combines elements of a fortification and a monastery. There is a dzong in each district in Bhutan. The Punakha Dzong, which is connected to the mainland by an arched wooden bridge, is home to numerous priceless artefacts that date back to the time when various rulers ruled the empire from this valley.
- Ganden Monastery, Tibet
At an elevation of 14,108 feet, Ganden Monastery, one of Tibet’s “big three” university monasteries, is located at the summit of Wangbur Mountain. Sera Monastery and Drepung Monastery make up the other two. The Red Guards entirely destroyed the monastery in 1959, and they even set fire to Tsongkhapa’s mummified body, the monastery’s founder. Since the 1980s, the monastery has been undergoing reconstruction.
- Thikse Monastery, India
The Yellow Hat sect of Tibetan Buddhism’s Thikse Monastery is renowned for its resemblance to Lhasa’s Potala Palace. In the Indus valley, the monastery is situated at a height of 3,600 meters. Beautiful Buddhist wall paintings, statues, and stupas may be found inside this 12-story building. The Maitreya Temple, which was built as a tribute to the 14th Dalai Lama’s visit to the Thikse Monastery in 1970, is one of the primary attractions.
- Erdene Zuu Monastery, Mongolia
The Erdene Zuu Monastery is possibly the oldest Buddhist monastery still in existence in Mongolia. It was constructed in 1585 by Abtai Sain Khan during the introduction of the Tibetan school of Buddhism to Mongolia. Its building utilised stones from Karakorum, an ancient city nearby. 100 stupas make up the wall that encircles it.
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