Himachal Pradesh Tangyud Monastery
Tangyud Monastery, also known as Sakya Tangyud monastery is situated nearby the town of Kaza, which is the subdivisional headquarters of the remote Spiti Valley. The Gompa goes by a lot of names, mostly with relation to Buddhist culture. This monastery forms one of the important Buddhist pilgrimage place in India. It is built at the edge of a deep canyon, giving a fort like appearance. At an altitude of about 4587 mts, the monastery is close to the Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary and is close to the town of Kaza. Tangyud monastery belongs to the sect of Sakye in Spiti, built and popularised during the rule of the Nonos chieftains in the Spiti valley.
Architecture
Tangyud monastery is built like a fortified castle, with walls being slanted and massive, which have been fixed with battlements of big rods and ochre and due to the fortification of these walls with vertical strips, these massive walls look taller.
History
In the Valley of Spiti, this is one of the two remaining monasteries, which belonged to the Sakya Sect of Buddhism. Evidences collected from the Tangyad Monastery reveal that it is built at around 14th century, under the patronage of Mongol rulers, when the Sakyapas came to power. But the local people think that the monastery is quite old. Studies have shown that it was modelled on the lines of Chinese castle, more so because of the fortified nature of the monastery. According to some legends, it is also believed that there was the Kadampa establishment, which was founded by Rinchen Zangpo, somewhere in the 1000 CE and the place was known as Rador-Iha. Due to the revision of the name by Sakyapa sect, the present name of Tangyud might have evolved, whose basis was also on the treatises which presently form part of the Tengyur. The monastery was patronised by the Nonos Chieftains of the Spiti kingdom. As per their need in the architectural built, there is a special place built into the Southeastern part, where the Nono Chieftains pay a visit. At the foothills of the Monastery, there is the village of Tangyud. In the earthquake of 1972, the Gompa was badly damaged.
Reaching There
Tangyud Monastery is about 4 kms from the town of Kaza, and therefore, anyone interested to visit this monastery will have to come to Kaza. This town is about 250 kms away from Bhuntar Airport or Kullu Manali airport, which in turn is well connected with many cities of the north India. Shimla Airport is at a distance of about 445 kms from the town of Kaza.
Road connectivity to Kaza is good from Shimla, for which people have to pass through the Kuzum Pass, at a distance of about 200 kms from Manali. The Kaza town is about 58 kms from Losar, 212 kms from Manali and 762 kms from Delhi, although roads are found from a number of other towns also.
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