About Namphake Buddhist Monastery and Village
Namphake Buddhist Monastery and Village is a Theravada Buddhist settlement in Namphake village, Naharkatia, Dibrugarh district, Assam, on the banks of the Burhi Dihing River. Established in 1850 by the Tai Phake community, it is known for its traditional stilt houses, serene monastery and preserved Tai Phake culture and language. The monastery houses Buddhist relics and manuscripts and offers insight into distinctive architecture, lifestyle and religious traditions.
Visitors guide
Visitors can expect a quiet riverside village with traditional Tai Phake stilt houses made of wood and bamboo, narrow village lanes and a central Theravada Buddhist monastery. The monastery complex includes a prayer hall with Buddha images, manuscripts and relics. Visitors can walk through the village, observe daily life, traditional weaving and handicrafts, interact with residents, and experience a calm monastic environment surrounded by paddy fields, bamboo groves and the Burhi Dihing River.
Key highlights
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Theravada Buddhist monastery established in 1850 with Buddha images and ancient manuscripts
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Traditional Tai Phake stilt houses built of wood and bamboo
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Preserved Tai Phake language, culture and handicrafts including handloom weaving
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Scenic setting on the banks of the Burhi Dihing River near Joypur Rainforest
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Opportunity to experience village lifestyle and Buddhist practices of the Tai Phake community
History of Namphake Buddhist Monastery and Village
The village was settled by the Tai Phake people who migrated from the Hukawng Valley in Myanmar in 1775. The Namphake Buddhist Monastery was established in 1850 and is one of the oldest Theravada Buddhist monasteries in Assam. It preserves ancient Buddhist manuscripts, relics and traditions brought by the community.
Culture & Context
Centre of Tai Phake culture and Theravada Buddhism in Assam. The village preserves the Tai Phake language, traditional stilt-house architecture, handloom weaving, and Buddhist festivals and rituals. The monastery serves as the spiritual and community centre for the village and is an important example of living Tai cultural heritage in Northeast India.
Route
| By air |
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