Tibetan Monasteries - Manali, Manali - Timings, History, Darshan, Pooja Timings

At a distance of 250 m from Manali Bus Stand, The Tibetan Monastery is situated near the Mall in Manali. Tibetan Monastery is one of the oldest and famous places in Manali. Due to huge number of Tibetan population settled in Kullu & Manali area, Tibetan Monasteries has been set up. Tibetan Monasteries are one of the popular sightseeing places in Manali.

There are three important Tibetan Monasteries in Manli - The Gadhan Thekchoking Gompa, Himalayan Nyingamapa Temple and the other one at Aleo on the left bank of Beas River.

The Gadhan Thekchoking Gompa is situated near the Mall in Manali. The monastery is run by the local people who gather funds through donations. The unique feature of the monastery is the handicrafts of Tibetan artistry and the carpets that are woven and sold in the monastery. The Gadhan Thekchoking Gompa was constructed in the year 1969. The architecture of the monastery represents the Tibetan style of architecture designed with hued frescoes. The statue of the Lord Buddha presides in the monastery.

The Himalayan Nyingamapa Gompa is situated near the market place in Manali. The architecture of this monastery replicates a more modern style than the earlier one. Placed in the midst of sunflowers, the monastery glows at night with light bulbs lit to lighten it up. The huge gold faced bronze statue of Lord Buddha presides over the monastery.

These monasteries are surrounded by several small shops selling beautiful handicrafts and carpets made by Tibetan people living nearby these monasteries. The Tibetan Monasteries also run a Thanks School of Arts and a Carpet-weaving Center to preserve ancient Tibetan art. The paintings inside these buildings depict events from Lord Buddha's life and the Kalchakra that is the wheel of life fixed on the wall of the monastery shows the human life cycle. The Buddhists believe that rotating these wheels gives you salvation.

Timings: 6 AM to 6 PM.