Do you want to explore the best monasteries in India? Discover the impressive Buddhist monasteries with ASAP Holidays. Buddhism has a great influence on the Indian subcontinent. You can experience this through various holy and ancient monasteries or Buddhist temples in India. Monasteries are religious sites dedicated to the different sacred saints of Buddhism. Monasteries have been the center of belief and education for ages.
To connect with the holiness of Buddhist culture, customs, and traditions, you must visit monasteries. You will find monasteries mainly in the northern and northeastern regions of India. The structure of Indian monasteries is unique and scenic. Most of the monasteries are located in mountainous areas like Ladakh, Himachal, Sikkim, Uttarakhand, Assam, and Tripura.
If you want to explore something different in India, let’s explore some beautiful monasteries in India with ASAP Holidays, the best tour travel agency in Delhi.
8 Top Monasteries in India to Visit in 2024
In India, you can explore various monasteries and experience the richness of Buddhism and Buddhist teachings. Northern and Northeast regions have the maximum number of monasteries and all these monasteries are surrounded by majestic mountains and natural beauty.
Hemis Monastery, Ladakh
Discover Hemis Monastery with our best Leh Ladakh tour package and learn more about Ladakhi culture and Buddhism. It is one of the best monasteries in India to see with your family and friends. It is located in the high-altitude region of Ladakh and offers picturesque views. It is just 44 km away from Leh City. It is also the largest and wealthiest monastery in the Ladakh region.
Location: Ladakh, India
Timing: 8 am to 1 pm and 2 pm to 6 pm
Entry fee: INR 50 per person
Thiksey Monastery, Ladakh
Thikesey Monastery is located in Ladakh and 20 km away from Leh at a height of 11,800 ft. It is best known for its marvelous architecture and 49 ft tall statue of Maitreya Buddha in the lotus position. The location and architectural layout of Thikesey are truly magnificent and make this monastery one of the best monasteries in India to visit.
Location: Thiksey, Ladakh 194201
Timing: 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Entry fee: INR 30-50 per person
Namdroling Nyingmapa Monastery, Karnataka
Namdroling Nyingmapa Monastery is located in Coorg, Karnataka. It is one of the most picturesque monasteries in India and is best known for its marvelous architecture. This holy monastery is an ideal place for learning Buddhism and its teachings. Namdroling Nyingmapa is also the largest center for the Nyingma lineage of Tibetan Buddhism in the world.
Location: CXJ8+7Q4, Arlikumari, Bylakuppe, Karnataka 571104
Timing: 7 am to 6 pm
Entry fee: Free
Tabo Monastery, Himachal Pradesh
Himachal Pradesh is the land of beautiful mountains, rivers, lakes, waterfalls, and pine forests. The high-altitude region of Himachal Pradesh has the majority of the Buddhist population. Tabo Monastery is one of the most stunning monasteries in India. It is located in the Tabo village of Spiti Valley and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This place offers a jaw-dropping view of Spiti Valley and snow-capped mountains. It is also known as the “Ajanta of the Himalayas”.
Location: 39VM+C56, Tabo, Dhar Gangchhumi, Himachal Pradesh 172113
Timing: 6 am to 5 pm
Entry fee: Free
Phuktal Monastery, Ladakh
Phuktal Monastery or Phuktal Gompa is one of the best monasteries in India. It is located in the Zanskar region of Ladakh. It is built around a natural cave and is an ideal location for monks and Buddhist sages to meditate in peace and solitude. To reach Phuktal, you need to do a small trek. It is the most scenic route that you can ever take.
Location: 759H+7WC, 194302
Timing: 6 am-1 pm & 1.30-6 pm.
Entry fee: Free
Ghoom Monastery, West Bengal
Ghoom Monastery is one of the best monasteries in India located in the Darjeeling Himalayan hill region of West Bengal. The entire monastery is surrounded by mountains and offers breathtaking views of Himalayan hills. It is a place for peace and medication. It is also popularly known as Yiga Choeling. Ghoom Monastery or Yiga Choeling belongs to the Yellow Hat Sect or Gelukpa. Here you will find the 15-foot-tall statue of the Maitreya Buddha.
Location: Ghum, West Bengal, India
Timing: 6 am to 5 pm
Entry fee: Free
Key Monastery, Himachal Pradesh
Key Monastery is one of the best places to visit in Himachal Pradesh. Himachal Pradesh is home to several Buddhist temples and monasteries. In the higher altitude region of Himachal Pradesh, you will see a massive number of Buddhist communities. In the high-altitude region of Spiti Valley, Key Monastery is located at a height of 4,166 meters (13,668 ft) above sea level. It is the largest monastery in the Spiti Valley.
Location: 72X6+4QM, Key, Pinjoor, Himachal Pradesh 172114
Timing: 7 am to 7 pm
Entry fee: Free
Tawang Monastery, Arunachal Pradesh
Northeast India is indeed a hidden paradise of India and a land of rich cultural heritage. Monasteries are the major tourist attractions in Arunachal Pradesh. Tawang Monastery is located in Tawang, Arunachal. It is the largest monastery in India and 2nd largest in the world. Surrounded by mountains and fog, Tawang Monastery offers a jaw-dropping view to your eyes.
Location: VP5+M3X, Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh 790104
Timing: 7 am to 7 pm
Entry fee: Free
Key Takeaways
India is a land of diverse cultures and rich spiritual heritage, and its monasteries are a testament to this rich cultural heritage. From the ancient monasteries in the high altitudes of Ladakh to the serene retreats in Sikkim, and the historic centers of learning in Himachal Pradesh, each monastery offers a unique glimpse into the spiritual fabric of the nation.
These monasteries not only serve as places of worship and meditation but also as guardians of ancient traditions, art, and culture. Visiting the best monasteries in India is not just a journey through breathtaking landscapes but also an exploration of deep-seated spirituality and history.
FAQ
- Tawang Monastery, Arunachal Pradesh
- Hemis Monastery, Ladakh
- Rumtek Monastery, Sikkim
- Thiksey Monastery, Ladakh
- Diskit Monastery, Ladakh
- Key Monastery, Himachal Pradesh
- Namdroling Monastery, Karnataka
- Ghoom Monastery, West Bengal
- Tsuglagkhang Complex, Himachal Pradesh
- Tabo Monastery, Himachal Pradesh
Tawang Monastery is the largest monastery in India located in the Tawang region of Indian State Arunachal Pradesh.
Not all monasteries allowed people to stay as it was the center of religious activities. On the contrary, some monasteries in Spiti Valley, Dharamshala, Leh, and Arunachal Pradesh provide free stays to travelers. You just need to ask for permission.
Yes, you can stay in a monastery. But remember some high-altitude monasteries aren’t able to provide a stay to the visitors. Before staying in any monastery, please seek their permission and follow the rules and regulations.
There are more than 200 monasteries in Sikkim, India. It is the only Indian state with the maximum number of Monasteries.
