10 Must Visit Monasteries in India

Let’s start with India’s largest monastery, Tawang Monastery! Located at a height of about 10,000 feet above sea level, this monastery is renowned as the birthplace of the 6th Dalai Lama. The magnificent architecture, intricate detailing and stunning statues, everything you see here will captivate your eyes. If you have an innate fascination to learn about Buddhism, you can head to the library that holds an extensive collection of ancient scriptures. In case you are wondering how to reach here, you will have to take a flight to Guwahati. From here, you can take a cab to reach your destination.

Believed to be the oldest monastery in India, it is often on the top of every traveller’s travel wishlist. Well, it has all the rights to be! Touted as one of the wealthiest Buddist monasteries in Ladakh, this monastery can be your reason to visit Leh. What's so special about it? The monastery houses ancient statues, sacred thangkas and other memorabilia that will provide you with a glimpse of the past. If you wish to explore this biggest monastery in Ladakh, we suggest visiting during the annual Hemis Festival. Held in June or July, this festival reflects the true essence of this place. Don’t miss the ‘Mask Dance’ of this festival! To reach here, take a flight to Leh and hit the roads.

Want to explore a famous monastery in India on your next vacation? Head to the Rumtek Monastery! It is one of the most popular among the 200 monasteries scattered around Sikkim. Visit during May-June (Tibetan New Year) to participate in special prayers, processions and the renowned masked dance. Believe us, Rumtek Monastery is the ideal place to seek solace and peace of mind. So, don’t wait any longer and book your flight to Bagdogra. Once you have deboarded, you can take a taxi to reach here.

Home to 6000 lamas, this Tibetan settlement is said to be the second highest monastery in India. The monastery will enchant you with its spiritual teachings, splendid architecture and magnificent interiors. If you are looking for an escape from the bustling cities, it is a must-visit monastery to include in your itinerary! The serene ambience of the temple is quite alluring and will help induce peace in your mind and body. If you have decided to visit this monastery, book a flight to Mysore from where you can hop on a cab to cover the rest of the distance!

A famous monastery known for its splendid architecture and a lively collection of Buddhist statues and stupas, Thiksey Monastery has plenty of things to charm you. You will be blown away by the white-capped architecture of this 12-storeyed monastery. Walk in to check out the 46-feet tall statue of Maitreya Buddha, one of the largest in the Ladakh valley. The enclosed calm, ancient artefacts and the spiritual ambience of the place will make up for your peaceful retreat. If you are planning to reach here through the airways, take a flight to Leh and cover the rest of the distance in a car.

Settled atop a hill (13,667 feet above sea level), Key Monastery is next on our list! Backed with majestic Himalayan peaks, its location provides an incredible sense of calm. You can delve into the Tibetan Buddhist religion, explore the well-preserved statues and unearth the Chinese-influenced architecture. Its unique box-like structure is the result of several restorations it had to go through. Want to learn more? Visit the library that has an elaborate collection of ancient scriptures and rare books. To reach this Spiti Valley attraction, you can take a flight to Bhuntar airport followed by a short road trip.

The list of the must-visit monasteries in India will be incomplete without mentioning the official residence of the spiritual leader, Dalai Lama. Surrounded by the beautiful forests of Dharamshala, Tsuglagkhang Complex is where spirituality meets the natural environment. In the complex, you will get to see Tsuglagkhang temple, Namgyal Gompa, Tibet Museum and Kalachakra temple. To make the most of your trip to this monastery, you must take a ritual walk to explore the different parts of this revered complex. Take a flight to Kangra airport near Dharamshala and book a private cab to reach the Tsuglagkhang Complex.

Ladakh has a truly unique collection of beautiful monasteries, one of them being the famous Phutkal Monastery. You have to trek to the place as it is built on the mouth of a cave, with a river flowing below. Perfect for you if you love trekking! Now, another fascinating fact! You have to cross a suspension bridge to reach here. And when you reach here, tour the prayer rooms, reflecting the Buddhist art and culture most beautifully. You can also head to the library to feed your curiosity even further. Wondering how to get here? Take a flight to Leh and reach your destination via roadways.

Located at the Himalayan foothills, Mindrolling monastery is engulfed with a natural bounty. When you look around this place, the beautiful landscapes and the majestic gardens will be a treat to your eyes. Look out for the Great Stupa, as it is the main attraction of this monastery. Here’s an astonishing trivia! With a height of 60 m, it is believed to be one of the world’s tallest stupas. Besides, you can see numerous shrine rooms adorned with sacred murals and relics within this place. Believe us, a visit here will relax your mind and soul, leaving you spellbound. Get ready for an unforgettable experience at Mindrolling monastery by booking a flight to Dehradun.

Come to visit the Ghoom Monastery near Darjeeling to witness the a15-foot statue of Lord Buddha. Nicknamed Yiga Choeling, it is one of the oldest monasteries in the region. Here you can admire the awe-inspiring architecture while appreciating the scenic views of snow-capped mountains around. When you go inside, you can go through the vast collection of Buddha’s manuscripts to know more about the history and tradition of this place. You can reach here by taking a flight to Bagdogra. From here, you can approach the monastery via roadways.

Whichever monastery you visit, each promises you to make your experience peaceful and worth it! And now that you have an idea about the visit-worthy monasteries in the country, why not pack your bags and tour some of these auspicious places? Give yourself a break from the monotony of daily work and seek some tranquillity in these Buddhist monasteries!