Spiti Valley, lying across the Trans-Himalayas, is not anything like your quintessential Himalayan splendor. It isn’t home to gurgling streams, sweeping forests, and lush green meadows; alternatively, it’s miles replete with barren hills, heavily inhabited villages, and fabulous monasteries dramatically perched on the panorama. Here are the pinnacle monasteries you ought to explore on your visit to Spiti:
Key Monastery
The 11th-century Key Monastery, constructed within the Pasadena style of structure, is among the largest Buddhist studying centers and the oldest schooling center for Lamas in Spiti Valley. Located at the top of 13,668 toes above sea stage, the monastery is unfolded over three floorings. The highlight of the monastery is the ancient work of art, rare thangkas, and guns.
Since Key Monastery has been rebuilt several times, it seems greater like a citadel with certain parts of the structure stacked haphazardly. However, the view of the panorama from here is truely lovely. Surrounded by snow-capped mountains and glaciers, the valley seems breathtaking.
Dhankar Monastery
Strategically constructed at the very best point in Spiti Valley, Dhankar Monastery gives the maximum lovely panoramic view of the surroundings. Built within the 7th-century, Dhankar is located on the confluence of the Spiti and Pin rivers. The Meditating Buddha statue that sits within the center of the monastery is worth seeing, as are the work of art, thangkas, and Buddhist scriptures.
About 2.5km from the monastery, a visit to the Dhankar Lake surrounded by glacier mountains is especially endorsed. Especially if you’re a hiking fanatic. Pin Valley National Park, approximately 26km away and home to the rare ibex and snow leopard, is likewise really worth exploring.
Tabo Monastery
It is often referred to as the ‘Ajanta of the Himalayas’. Tabo Monastery is perched at an altitude of 10,007 feet in Spiti. Spread over 6,300 rectangular meters, the monastery is domestic to nine temples and gompas. The monastery is known for its stucco sculptures carved on the walls, similar to those in the Ajanta Caves in Maharashtra.
This 10th-century monastery also houses some splendid thangkas, works of art, statues, and paintings that depict the Himalayan region’s tradition and history. What units Tabo apart from different monasteries is that it permits visitors to live within its partitions and get a firsthand to enjoy life at the monastery.
Lhalung Monastery
Also known as the Golden Temple, Lhalung Monastery literally manner the ‘Land of the Gods.’ It has the distinction of being one of the earliest monasteries to be founded in Himachal Pradesh. The temple became based using Rinchen Zangpo, who ruled the western Himalaya consisting of Zanskar, Guge, Spiti, and Kinnaur for the late 10th-century.
The legend goes that the mountain on which this monastery is located modifications color now and then, retaining in sync with the god’s temper; for instance, crimson means anger and yellow method joy. The highlight of the monastery is the numerous gold leaf deities stored in its shrine and the fantastically embellished partitions with pictures of more than 50 deities.
