Shashur Monastery

Shashur Monastery is a 17th-century Tibetan Buddhist monastery of the Drugpa sect located approximately 3 kilometers from Keylong in Lahaul and Spiti district, Himachal Pradesh. Situated amidst blue pine forests on a hillside, it was established by Lama Deva Gyatsho of Zanskar. The monastery is renowned for its ancient thangkas, including one over fifteen feet long, wall paintings depicting the 84 Mahasiddhas, and its annual Tseshe festival featuring Cham masked dances held between June and July.

Visitors can expect a serene spiritual environment surrounded by blue pine trees with views of the Lahaul valley. The monastery complex includes prayer halls adorned with ancient murals, large thangkas, and statues of Buddhist deities. Visitors may encounter resident monks, who are traditionally from Bhutan, and can observe daily rituals if timed appropriately. Access involves either a 3-kilometer uphill trek from Keylong or a 5-kilometer motorable road. The site offers opportunities for photography (without flash inside), cultural observation, and attending the vibrant Tseshe festival if visiting in summer.

Established in the 17th century by Lama Deva Gyatsho of Zanskar, a missionary of Nawang Namgyal, King of Bhutan. A smaller gompa existed at the site before the current monastery was built. Lama Deva Gyatsho resided at the monastery until his death. It has served as an important learning center for the Drugpa sect in the Lahaul region.

The monastery is a significant spiritual center for the Drugpa sect of Tibetan Buddhism in Lahaul. It hosts the annual Tseshe festival (also called Tsechu) between June and July, featuring traditional Cham masked dances performed by monks. The resident lamas are customarily from Bhutan, maintaining a unique cultural link between Lahaul and Bhutanese Buddhist traditions. The monastery houses valuable religious art including thangkas and murals depicting the 84 Mahasiddhas.