Tawang Monastrey, Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh India

Tawang is both historically and naturally endowed. It is located at a distance of 183 Kms from Bomdila and is situated at an altitude of 3500 metres above sea level. The natural beauty and solitude of Gudpi and Chong-Chugmi ranges, Tawang chu River and Tawang valley are very mesmerizing.

Tawang Monastery which is an important seat of Mahayana Buddhism is located here. This world famous monastery of the Gelukpa was founded during the 17th century by Mera Lama Lodre Gyaltso who is considered as a contemporary of the 5th Dalai Lama.

It is Asia’s second largest monastery and India’s largest which controls 17 Gompas in the region. The highlights of this monastery are the imposing three-storied assembly hall and the 28 ft high golden statue of Lord Buddha. There is also a big library which has an impressive collection of ancient books and manuscripts. The famous Buddhist gold inscribed scriptures Kangyur and Tangyur are preserved here.

Another attraction of Tawang is the Urgyelling Monastery which is considered sacred as it is the birth place of Thangyang Gyatso, the sixth Dalai Lama. Bramadung Chung, Sengsarbu Ani Gompa, Gyanggong Ani Gompa are also well known nunneries and monasteries with the Ani Gompa being one of the oldest in the country.

There are also beautiful natural Lakes in Tawang like the Sangetsar Lake which is known for its scenic surroundings as well as rare avi-fauna like snow pigeon and musk deer and the PTso Lake for its picturesque landscape.

The crown of Buddhism in Arunachal Pradesh, the Tawang monastery forms the core of the Lamaistic faith of the Mahayana school of Buddhism in the region, making it the largest monastery of India and the second largest of Asia. Also known as the 'Galden Namgyal Lhatse', the Tawang monastery was established by Merak Lama Lodre Gyamtso in the year 1860-61. The Tawang monastery, standing as high as 10,000 feet above the sea level amidst the picturesque Himalayan ranges sloping towards the east, offers a panoramic view of the Tawang-Chu valley. The monastery, which houses more than 300 monks(actual capacity 700 monks), is the main centre of spirituality and religion for the people residing in and around Tawang.

Tawang Monastery in Arunachal Pradesh is the largest monastery in India. It was founded near the small town of the same name in the northwestern part of Arunachal Pradesh state of India by Merak Lama Lodre Gyatso in 1680-1681 in accordance with the wishes of the 5th Dalai Lama. The monastery belongs to the Gelugpa school and has a religious association with Drepung Monastery in Lhasa, which continued during the period of British rule. It is very close to the Tibetan border, in the valley of the Tawang-chu which flows down from Tibet.

The monastery is three stories high and occupies an area of 140 sq m. It is enclosed by a 610 m long compound wall. Within the complex there are 65 residential buildings and 10 other structures. Tawang Monastery is one of the largest monasteries of Mahayana sect in Asia. The monastery is also known in Tibetan as Galden Namgey Lhatse, which translates to 'celestial paradise in a clear night.' The library of the monastery has valuable old scriptures, mainly Kanjur and Tanjur, numbering 850 bundles.

Tawang Monastery was founded by the Mera Lama Lodre Gyasto in accordance with the wishes of the 5th Dalai Lama, Nagwang Lobsang Gyatso. It belongs to the Gelugpa sect and is the largest Buddhist monastery in India. The name Tawang means Horse Chosen.  Its name (ta = horse, and wang = chosen) is the subject of an interesting legend. As the story goes, the site of the monastery was chosen by the horse of Merag Lama who had been unable to decide on a site to establish the monastery.

One day he was praying in cave, seeking divine guidance. When he came out after the prayers, he found his horse missing. On searching, the horse was located standing quietly on a hilltop. Considering this as a sign of divine blessing, he decided to construct the monastery at the very spot. The monastery was built with the help of volunteers from the neighboring villages. It is also known by a Tibetan name, Galden Namgey Lhatse, which means 'celestial paradise in a clear night'.