Monastries In India

Himachal Pradesh Thang Yug Gompa

ThangYugGompa is another beautiful Buddhist monastery situated in Lahaul&Spiti valley, exactly in the Spiti part of it in a distance of 14 km from the Kaza village. This Monastery belongs to the Sa_kya_pa sect and that way it carries a lot of historical significance.

This monastery is situated in a secluded spot amidst the  narrow gauge of KazaNallah, above which  there is a long plateau leading  to Shilla peak.

Tang YugGompa is also known for the achievement of a group of Buddhist scholars in successfully completing the revision of Tangyur, a Tibetan Scripture consisting of 87 volumes, with their tantric
This monastery is located in Spiti, which means place of Mani, which is known to be the Last Sangri La, situated amidst Kinnaur, Ladakh ,Kullu and Lahaul, joining Lahaul it is now a District in Himachal Pradesh.

History

ThangYugGompa was establishedin the first half of the 14th century, a group of eminent Buddhist scholars who were known for their proficiency in  tantra cult.

This Gompa is said to have existed originally in Hikkim village, however when in the year 1975 it got damaged due to an earthquake devastation, it was relocated here in the present spot near Comic Village. One can find remnants of the old Monastery still in the Hikkim village.

This Monastery is functioning under a  head lama who  belongs to Tibet.

Architecture

Tibetan Buddhist Gompas and Monasteries follow huge and expansive size of architecture, comparable to Palaces, maintaining uniqueness in any place they are established. If the Gampa is constructed amidst the living places, the Gampa building will be of different colour and size and anyone can clearly mark a Gampa from a faraway place. Likewise, the Meditation Caves annexed to Cliffs, will be of distinct architecture that they stand out inviting Buddhist monks and other Buddhism followers to come there and do their Prayers.ThangYugGompa is however not very big in size, but follows the basic principles involved in the architecture of Gompas.

Other Attractions

The other places to visit when one goes to see ThangYugGompa would include,

• LalungGompaoccupying a prominent position in Lalungvillage attractingwith its heavily carved wooden Paneling
• Kye Monastery which is considered as the biggest monastery of  Spiti valley, located 12 km from Kaza with an altitude of 4116m, which has good collection of thankas and musical instruments and where about 300 Lamas receive their ritualistic training.
• KungriGompa  another monastery situated at a distance of 10 km from Attargo another in  12 km distance from Kaza, constructed in 14th Century.
• Kibber , which is the highest settlement in the world , connected by motorable road, situated in about 18 km distance from Kaza.

How to Reach

Spitiis approachable  by road in two routes. The first route is used between July to October, starting from Manali and reaching  Kaza throughRohtang Pass. The second one commences  from Shimla and goes to Kaza via Kinnaur, which  route will  be available  between May to October. One has to travel  214 km  distance when going through Manali route, while the distance of the route from Shimla it is 412 km.

To reach Manali or Shimla, a traveler can choose air or rail mode, both these destinations having Airports and Railway Stations.

Most of the people walk the distance from Kaza, first by going to Comic which is in 6 km, and then a small distance toHikkim and ThangYugGompa premises.

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