9 places to discover
Auniati Satra is a prominent Vaishnavite monastery located at Auniati on Majuli Island in Assam. Founded in 1653 by Niranjan Pathakdeva, it is one of the oldest and most important satras established under Ahom patronage. The satra is a major centre of the Ekasarana Dharma propagated by Srimanta Sankardev and is noted for its religious traditions, cultural heritage, museum and preservation of Assamese art forms.
Enchey Monastery is a Buddhist monastery located about 3 km northeast of Gangtok in Sikkim, belonging to the Nyingma order of Vajrayana Buddhism. Built in 1909 on a site blessed by Lama Druptob Karpo, it is perched on a hilltop with views of Gangtok town and the surrounding Himalayan range. Notable for its Chinese pagoda-style architecture, sacred images and annual masked dance festival, it is an important religious centre housing around 90 monks.
Gyuto Monastery is a Tibetan Buddhist monastery located in Sidhbari near Dharamshala in Kangra District, Himachal Pradesh. Originally founded in Tibet in 1474 and re-established in India after 1959, it is known as a centre for tantric studies of the Gelug tradition. The monastery features traditional Tibetan architecture, a golden roof, prayer halls and thangkas, and serves as the residence of the Karmapa. It is set against the Dhauladhar range.
Karsha Monastery, also known as Karsha Gompa, is the largest Buddhist monastery in the Zanskar Valley of Ladakh, located in Karsha village about 14 km from Padum. Perched on a hillside overlooking the Stod River, it belongs to the Gelugpa school of Tibetan Buddhism. Founded in the 11th century, it houses numerous shrines, murals, thangkas and a revered Avalokiteshvara statue, serving as the most important monastic centre in Zanskar.
Namgyal Monastery is a Tibetan Buddhist monastery located within the Tsuglagkhang Complex in McLeod Ganj, Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh. Founded in the 16th century by the 3rd Dalai Lama and re-established in Dharamshala in 1959, it serves as the personal monastery of the 14th Dalai Lama. Notable for its prayer halls, traditional architecture, and role as a centre for Buddhist study, ritual and Kalachakra teachings.
Ralang Monastery is a prominent Tibetan Buddhist monastery located in Ralang village near Ravangla in Namchi District, Sikkim. Comprising the historic Old Ralang Monastery (1768) and the newer Palchen Choeling Monastery (completed 1995), it belongs to the Kagyu sect. Known for its traditional Tibetan architecture, extensive thangka collection, and annual Pang Lhabsol and Kagyed cham dances, it is an important religious and cultural centre set against Himalayan mountain views.
Sera Monastery in Bylakuppe, Karnataka is one of the largest Tibetan Buddhist monasteries outside Tibet, located in the Bylakuppe Tibetan Settlement near Kushalnagar. Originally founded in 1419 near Lhasa by Jamchen Chojey, it was re-established in Bylakuppe in 1970. The complex houses Sera Jey, Sera Mey and Sera Choling colleges and is notable for its Tibetan architecture, large prayer halls, gilded Buddha statues and vibrant murals.
Tashi Lhunpo Monastery is a Tibetan Buddhist monastery located in the Bylakuppe Tibetan Settlement in Mysuru district, Karnataka. Re-established in 1972 by the Tibetan community in exile, it is the branch of the historic Tashi Lhunpo Monastery originally founded in 1447 in Shigatse, Tibet. Notable for its traditional Tibetan architecture, large prayer hall, gilded Buddha statues and vibrant murals, it serves as an important centre for Buddhist study and cultural preservation in South India.
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.