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Why to visit Gandhola Monastery
The Mighty Guru Ghantal Monastery, popularly known as Gandhola Monastery is the most popular tourist destination in the Lahaul region. The monastery, surrounded by mountains and rolling sand dunes, casts a spell. It is thought to be the Lahaul region's oldest monastery.
Interesting facts about Ghandola Monastery
- According to legend, Guru Rinpoche founded the monastery in the eighth century CE.
- Historians discovered a copper goblet in 1857, which is the oldest example of metalwork from the first century.
- The mighty monastery is perched at an elevation of 3160 m on the rocky cliffs of Tupchiling village, close to the confluence of the Chandra and Bhaga rivers.
- Guru Ghantal Monastery is run by the Drukpa monks and nuns, and it, like all other Drukpa monasteries, is dedicated to His Holiness the 12th Gyalwang Drukpa, or Drukchen Rinpoche.
- The monastery houses some extremely valuable religious artefacts.
- A seven-story fort made of stone and wood stands on the monastery's outskirts.
- The fort is said to have been built by Raja Man Singh, the former ruler of the Kullu kingdom; it even houses a prized sword.
How to reach?
Gandhola monastery is 18 km away from Keylong, Himachal Pradesh. You can easily hail a bus or a taxi from there.
Entry Fees : Nil
Best time to visit : May - October
Visiting Duration : 3-4 hours on average
