Tawang Monastery

Tawang Monastery, also known as Gaden Namgyal Lhatse, is located in Tawang town in Arunachal Pradesh at about 3,000 metres elevation. Founded in 1680-1681 by Merak Lama Lodre Gyatso at the behest of the 5th Dalai Lama, it is the largest monastery in India and second largest in Asia. Belonging to the Gelugpa school of Mahayana Buddhism, it houses a 28-foot gilded Buddha statue, library, museum and residential quarters for monks.

Visitors can expect a large hilltop monastic complex overlooking the Tawang Valley with whitewashed buildings, colourful thangkas and traditional Tibetan architecture. The main prayer hall (Dukhang) contains an 8-metre gilded statue of Lord Buddha, murals and scriptures. The complex includes 65 residential buildings for monks, a library with ancient manuscripts, a museum, courtyards and viewpoints offering panoramic valley and mountain views. Prayer ceremonies with chanting can be observed.

Founded in 1680-1681 by Merak Lama Lodre Gyatso in accordance with the wishes of the 5th Dalai Lama, Ngawang Lobsang Gyatso. It belongs to the Gelugpa sect of Mahayana Buddhism and has historically served as an important centre for Buddhist studies and administration in the Monpa region. The monastery was historically associated with Drepung Monastery in Lhasa.

Most important centre of Mahayana Buddhism in Arunachal Pradesh and significant for the Monpa community. It is a major centre of the Gelugpa school, houses sacred scriptures, thangkas and religious artifacts, and hosts important Buddhist festivals and prayer ceremonies including Losar and Torgya. It serves as a living institution for monastic education and cultural preservation.