Tabo Monastery, Spiti Valley

Tabo Monastery is nestled in the serene Spiti Valley in Himachal Pradesh. It ranks as one of the top places to visit in the region to understand Buddhist heritage and culture. Founded in 996 AD by the Tibetan Buddhist Lotsawa Rinchen Zangpo, this ancient monastery is one of the oldest operating Buddhist enclaves in the Himalayas as well as in India. Known as the "Ajanta of the Himalayas," Tabo Monastery is celebrated for its exquisite frescoes and murals. These murals cover almost every wall of the monastery's nine temples and numerous stupas. The artistic treasures, alongside valuable collections of scroll paintings, manuscripts, and statues, have been meticulously preserved. They offer a glimpse into the spiritual and cultural life of the past eras.

The monastery is located at an elevation of 10,010 feet above sea level. Surrounded by the mountains, it stands as a contrast to the rugged desert of Spiti Valley, adding to its mystical charm. Unlike most monasteries which are situated on hilltops, Tabo sits in a flat, bowl-shaped valley. It also offers a peaceful sanctuary to about 60 monks residing there. The complex is a marvel of earthen architecture, with structures made from mud that have stood the test of time. The Tabo Monastery is a place of worship and a centre for Buddhist learning. It is here where you can witness festivals like the Chakhar Festival, which showcases traditional Chham dances. Its historical significance, coupled with its spiritual ambience, makes Tabo Monastery a must-visit destination for seekers of knowledge and peace.

• Marvel at the ancient murals of Tabo Monastery that showcase Buddhist tales with vibrant colours and intricate details.
• Witness the serene beauty of the monastery's architecture, standing out with its golden top amidst the desert landscapes of Spiti Valley.
• Explore the caves above the monastery and witness monks meditating here, gaining a unique glimpse into their lives.
• Participate in the Chakhar Festival and witness the traditional Chham dance performances, get to know about the rich cultural heritage of the region.
• Visit the assembly hall to see the grand statue of Vairocana Buddha, surrounded by exquisite frescoes and sculptures, depicting stories of Tibetan-Indian Buddhism.

There is no direct train or air connectivity from Tabo Monastery. One has to break down his trip into parts to make his way to the Tabo Monastery.

1. Traveling by Bus: Reckong Peo bus stand is the nearest major bus stand that provides intercity buses. There is a distance of 150 Kms that one has to travel from Reckong Peo to Tabo. From there it is a walk to the Tabo Monastery. The frequency of the buses is quite low so you have to be on time as the one and the only bus starts at 6:30 am.

2. Driving your own way from Major cities nearby: Travelling from Manali, you have to cover a stretch of 250 Kms which may take about 5 hours while from Shimla it is a drive of 377 Kms which will consume 10 hours of your time.

3. Reaching by Train: Dehradun (DDN) is the nearest Railway station that provides intercity trains. Also, Shimla Railway Station (JDNX) is the closest local train station with a limited train option.

4. Coming by Flight: Chandigarh Airport (IXC) is the major closest airport. Another nearby airport is Bhuntar Airport (KUU) with limited local flights availability.

If you are planning your visit to this ancient monastery, avoid months from January to April as the temperature will vary from 2 Degree Celsius to 14 Degree Celsius between these months and most of the routes are closed due to heavy snowfall. During this time even the locals do not prefer to step out of their homes and make themselves comfortable in their warm houses only.

The tourist season will begin from May onwards and goes on till October. However, one should avoid the monsoon month of August as the areas near the rain shadow desert of Spiti Valley receive very heavy downpours and the routes of the Himalayas get slippery and prone to landslides.

From May to October only the Spiti valley remains functional for guests, November onwards the heavy snow sets in. The ideal duration of the trip is between 7 to 8 days.

1. Tabo Monastery Location: Tabo, Himachal Pradesh 172113, precisely on the top of Tabo village on the left bank of the Spiti river.

2. Timings of Monastery: Morning chants begin at 6 am and monastery closes down at 7 pm in the evening. This happens every single day of the week.

Architecture of Tabo Monastery

Back in 996 A.D in the Tibetan year of the Fire Ape, this huge monastery was founded by the Tibetan Buddhist lotsawa Rinchen Zhangpo on behalf of the king of the western Himalayan Kingdom of Guge,  Yeshe-O. The amazing architecture of Tabo Monastery now holds four beautifully crafted stupas, nine temples. The architecture also includes 23 chortens, a monk's chamber, and cave shrines.

Its architecture is primarily divided into 3 parts including the Main temple, Older & Newer temples and Stupas. Built-in 996 A.D the paintings belong to the 10th -11th century for the main temple, 13th -14th Century for Stupas and 15th -20th century for the rest of the temple. The monastery is having a huge collection of manuscripts and Parmana texts, recorded between 1991 and 1998. Heree, you can find a mix of non-urban and regional characteristics that belong to India and Central Asia.

This perfect blend was made by Yeshe-O and his two sons while they were building the monastery back in 996 A.D.

Tabo Monastery Temple Complex

The Temple Complex basically has the Main Temple, Older Temples, Newer Temples, Stupas and Fittings. Newer temples have the temple of Enlightened gods, The Golden Temple, The Mystic Temple, The Temple of Dormton and The Bodhisattva Maitreya Temple.

The other share of Older temples includes The Large Temple of Dormton, The Mahakala Vajra Bhairava Temple, The Chamber of Picture Treasures and The White Temple.

History of Tabo Monastery Temple

Tabo Monastery will take you a millennium back in 996 A.D when it was built by the Buddhist King Yesho-O, which was later renovated by the royal priest, Jangchub O’d, the 2

Tips for Visiting Tabo Monastery

Here are some of the tips which can be helpful while exploring the corners of Tabo Monastery: