Tashilhunpo Monastery

Tashilhunpo Monastery

Located in Shigatse 250 Km away from the capital city Tashilhunpo monastery was built by the 1st Dalai Lama in 1447. Among the six hugest monasteries in Tibet this monastery stands on massive area of 300,000 Sq. m and known as the "Seat of Panchen Lama". Panchen Lama is considered as the second most important religious leader after Dalai Lama in Tibet.

The leged goes like; Tashilhunpo monastery was found by Gendun Drub who was later named as the first Dalai Lama. The fourth Panchen Lama started massive reconstruction and renovation of the monastery and the successive lamas continued it. In 1791 this monastery was attacked by Nepalese Gurkha warriors who later retrieved when Chinese marched to the monastery. In 1960, in absence of Panchen lama Chinese took control over the monasteries. Later in 1972 Dalai Lama the 14th ordered re-establishment of this monastery in Karnataka, India. Entry of general public has been allowed from the late 1980’s but not all the part of monastery is permitted to explore. Still this temple is able to attract a huge number of tourists.

This temple has too much to make your tour special in every way.  As soon as you enter the temple premises your eyes will expand with the view of the shiny white walls and golden roofs. On every 14, 15 and 16^th of May in Tibetan calendar, pictures of Lord Buddha are put in display. The Maitreya Chapel holds the biggest statue of sitting Mitreya Buddha, with its height of almost 86 feet. Decorated with gold, diamond, pearl and everything beautiful construction of this statue took more than 9 years for 900 craftsmen. Another wonder can be the Stupa tomb of Panchen Lama at the east chapel covered with 614 Kg of pure gold. Apart from all the fancy Stupas and grand palaces one can certainly enjoy the great paintings on the walls of the monastery.

Opening time of the temple is from 8-12am and 2-4 pm. Except for the days like Tibetan New Year and dancing daily festivals when you can enter the monastery for free, you have to pay a minimal charge to enter the monastery. Reaching the temples is not a problem. A hand pulled rickshaw can take you there in minimal charge but you have to separate plenty of time to spend inside the temple. It takes around three hours to visit the temple and for a temple that covers an area of 300,000 Sq. m it’s not a big deal. Though kids might not find this place too interesting, for serious people who love ancient architectures and philosophy, it’s a heaven.