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Table of Contents
- Hemis Monastery, Ladakh
- Thiksey Monastery, Ladakh
- Mahabodhi Temple, Bodh Gaya
- Phuktal Monastery, Zanskar
- Mahaparinirvana Temple, Kushinagar
- Rumtek Monastery, Sikkim
- Wat Thai Temple, Kushinagar
- Mindrolling Monastery, Dehradun
- Tawang Monastery, Arunachal Pradesh
- Namdroling Monastery and Golden Temple, Karnataka
- Dharma Stupa, Sarnath
- Vishwa Shanti Stupa, Rajgir
Table of Contents
- Hemis Monastery, Ladakh
- Thiksey Monastery, Ladakh
- Mahabodhi Temple, Bodh Gaya
- Phuktal Monastery, Zanskar
- Mahaparinirvana Temple, Kushinagar
- Rumtek Monastery, Sikkim
- Wat Thai Temple, Kushinagar
- Mindrolling Monastery, Dehradun
- Tawang Monastery, Arunachal Pradesh
- Namdroling Monastery and Golden Temple, Karnataka
- Dharma Stupa, Sarnath
- Vishwa Shanti Stupa, Rajgir
Buddhism a variety of traditions, beliefs and spiritual practices largely based on original teachings attributed to the Buddha. There are approximately around 250 – 500 million Buddhists all around the world. However, not many know that the founder of Buddism Siddharth Gautama was originally from India.
Because of that, there are actually many landmarks and historical places that serve as a pilgrimage place for the Buddhists.
Underneath is the list of 12 monasteries Buddhist temples and monasteries in India:
Hemis Monastery, Ladakh
It is the largest and richest Buddhist monastery in the Ladakh region. The monastery was founded before the 11th century but re-established in India in 1652. It houses a famous collection of ancient statues, sacred thangkas, and various other artifacts. During the high season, it is possible to stay at the monastery and participate in the Hemis spiritual retreat that is run by the monks. The festival is celebrated annually in June or July each year. Simple accommodations and food are provided by the monastery.
Thiksey Monastery, Ladakh
The second most prominent monastery in Ladakh, it is set covering one side of a hill. There are numerous buildings that are arranged in ascending order of importance. The buildings are all white-washed. The monastery is a favorite amongst the tourists, many consider it to be the best monastery in the region. One of the highlights of the monastery is the Maitreya Temple, which contains a towering 15-meter statue of Maitreya Buddha which was built to commemorate the visit of the 14th Dalai Lama in 1970. It was built in the 1430 AD and is supposed to be dedicated as a mini Potala palace.
Mahabodhi Temple, Bodh Gaya
Located in the Bodh Gaya city in the Bihar state, it is one of the most important monasteries in India. This temple is built on the exact place Gautam Buddha attained enlightenment during his meditation under the bodhi tree. The temple is adorned with beautiful architecture which reflects the diversity of the customs, cultures, and traditions in Buddhism.
Phuktal Monastery, Zanskar
The location of this monastery is isolated, and in order to reach it, you will have to do two and a half or three days trekking. It is constructed out of the mouth of a huge cave and down into the side of a cliff. To reach the monastery, the visitors have to cross a suspension bridge.
Mahaparinirvana Temple, Kushinagar
Located in Uttar Pradesh state, this temple is the house of a 6 meters long statue of the reclining buddha. The temple is set in the middle of an extensive lawn and ancient ruins. The statue of the reclining buddha was discovered in 1876, and it is significant because it depicts the dying age of Gautam Buddha.
Rumtek Monastery, Sikkim
Sikkim is a city that is full of monasteries. It is predicted there are about 200 monasteries in total. Rumtek is the largest and one of the most visited one. This is because of the colorful, grand architecture. It dates back to the 9th century in Tibet but was re-established in the 1960s in India. The monastery to date still holds plenty of activities such as chanting and ritual services every morning and evening. They also hold a masked dance during the annual group meditation that happens in May or June and two days before Tibetan new year.
Wat Thai Temple, Kushinagar
This is one of the most distinctive temples in India. This can be seen throughout the temple architecture as it is very heavily influenced by Thailand architecture. The temple is known for this and is scenic and beautiful.
Mindrolling Monastery, Dehradun
It is one of the most popular religious sites for Buddhists in India. It is located close to the Rajaji National park, in the district of Dehradun. The monastery house one of the tallest Buddha statue which height about 107 feet. The monastery function as a center of learning with one of the largest Buddhist institutes in India.
Tawang Monastery, Arunachal Pradesh
This is the largest monastery in India and perhaps one of the main tourist attractions in Arunachal Pradesh. Tawang monastery is precariously located at 10,000 feet above sea level near the border of Bhutan. It appears and is structured like a fort, with ravines on tow sides. They have an annual torgya festival in January, in which they perform the famed masked dance.
