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MONASTERIES
Tawang Monastery
Covering the peak of a hillock at a height of about 10,000 feet above sea
level the monastery about 350 years old, is the largest of its kind in the
country and controls 17 gompas in the region. It is the fountainhead of
spiritual life of the followers of the Gelugpa sect of the Mahayana school
of Buddhism. The Tawang Monastery is associated with the famous Torgva
festival, which is held in the eleventh Monpa month called the "Dawa
Chukchipah". During the festival, the Monpa
tribes come from far and wide wearing their traditional custumes to
participate in the festival. Many of them set up shop inside as well as
outside the monastery to sell a wide variety of items like cloth, yak
butter and handicraft, which attracts a large number of visitors.
more...
Urgelling Monastery
About 5-km to the south of Tawang Township stands the Urgelling
monastery. It was first of the three monasteries built by Urgen Sangpo,
the youngest brother of Terton Pempalingpa, the famous Treasure-Revealer.
It was built sometime before the year 1489. It was here in 1683 Tsangyang
Gyatso, the Sixth Dalai Lama was born. more...
Gorsam Chorten
The largest Chorten (Stupa) of the area is the one at Gorsam near
Zemithang, which is about 100-km away in the north of Tawang. Lama
Pradhar, a Monpa monk, constructed it most probably in the early part of
eighteenth century. The hemispherical dome rests upon a three-terraced
plinth. Four miniature Stupas are set on the four corners of the lower
most terrace of the plinth. The base is square with each side about 170ft.
in length, with a niche running all along its whole length and 120 Manis
are set in frames of wood in the niche of each of the base. A paved path
goes all around for the pilgrims for circumambulation.
Taktsang Monastery (Tiger's Den )
Tak-Tsang Gompa, serenely situated about 50-km away from the Township, is
believed to be hallowed by the visit of Guru Padmasambhava in the 8th
century A.D. Beautiful hills snow-capped peaks surround the place. This is
one of the oldest monasteries of the district.
Old Bazaar Gompa
This Gompa is situated at the heart of the Tawang Township. It is
beleived that in the olden days the place where the present Gompa stands
was popular known as "Massamg Key-ling Boothmey" which means a
place where a strongman of a society used to play a melodious sounds with
the flutes. With the passage of time a Gompa was built in that particular
place.
Rigyalling Gompa
Rigyaling Gompa is situated at a distance of 1-km from Tawang Township.
The former Rigya Rimpoche constructed the Gompa. After his death,
Chang-sey, the secretary took charge of the Gompa. The re-incarnated Rigya
Rimpoche, Rev. Tenzin Tsedhar is presently in South-India, completing his
education. This Gompa is surrounded by a thick plantation of tress planted
by 'Changsey' under the guidance and supervision of forest department,
Tawang.
NUNNERIES
Brama Dung Chung Ani Gompa
Tawang district has a long tradition of nunneries called "Ani
Gonpas", which are the abode of nuns. Unlike the monks (Lamas), the
girls become nuns and join the nunnery on their own and there is no social
pressure or tradition making the practice compulsory.
Brama Dung Chung Ani Gompa (nunnery) is the oldest Ani Gompa (Nunnery) in
Tawang District. It is situated in the lap of a far off mountain laced
with natural scenery. It is located at a distance of 9-km from the main
town. This nunnery was constructed by a Lama named Karchen Yeshi Gelek
from Tsang province of Tibet in the year 1595 A.D. Presently there are
forty five ('Anis') nuns in this Monastery. Being very poor, the
inhabitants of Brahmadungchung Ani Gonpa depend on begging for sustaining
themselves.
Gyangong Ani Gompa
Gyangong Ani Gonpa is a beautiful Nunnery, having about 50 Buddhist Nuns,
located on top of a beautiful hillock about 5-km away in the north of
Tawang founded by Mera Lam Lodre Gyamtso and was subsequently offered by
him to his elder sister. Thus the Gyangong Ani gonpa came into existence.
This Ani Gonpa is under the administration of Tawang Monastery and the
nuns of this monastery get provision from the Tawang monastery Location of
nunnery and the customs being followed by nuns remind visitors of the
period of Maurya Dynasty, when the Buddhism was preached in remote hilly
areas under the shade of green trees.
Singsur Ani Gompa
This Gompa is one beautiful nunneries of Tawang district. It is situated
at a distance of around 28-km west from the Tawang Headquarters towards
the Geshila road. It houses around 30(thirty) Anis (Nuns). The new Singsur
Anie Gompa was built by the previous Rev. Gonpatse Rimpoche in 1960. The
old Singsur Ani Gompa is also in existence and is situated in the midst of
the 'Shaa' (huts) of the Anies. 