Northeast India is one of the most underrated parts of the country. However, it is actually is excellent for tourism! In reality, the 8 states of the Northeast act as a transition from South Asian culture to East Asian culture. The food, the attires, the languages, all have a uniqueness of their own. Interestingly, because of the proximity to China, Tibet and other east Asian countries, Buddhism heavily dominates these states. Therefore, to help you explore the wonderfulness of these lands, here is a list of the 8 Best Monasteries in Northeast India that will pull you deeper into the culture.
8 Best Monasteries In Northeast India
LOCATIONS
| Sr. No. | NAME | LOCATION |
| 1 | Tawang Gompa, Arunachal Pradesh | Cona, Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh 790104 |
| 2 | Namphake Buddhist Monastery, Assam | Namfake Rd, Dihing Kinar Bangali, Assam 786610 |
| 3 | Rumtek Monastery, Sikkim | Tsurphu Labrang Pal Karmae Sangha Dhuche, Dharma Chakra Centre, Sikkim 737135 |
| 4 | Kartok Monastery, Sikkim | 6JM4+W2Q, Kartok, Sikkim 737106 |
| 5 | Shillong Buddhist Monastery, Meghalaya | Buddhist Temple RdGolf Links, Shillong, Meghalaya 793001 |
| 6 | Abhaya Dana Forest Monastery, Mizoram | Bajeisora, Mizoram 796770 |
| 7 | Pemayangtse Monastery, Sikkim | 8742+3JM, Sikkim 737111 |
| 8 | Venuvan Vihara Buddhist Monastery | VIP Rd, Abhay Nagar, Agartala, Tripura 799005, india |
1. Tawang Gompa, Arunachal Pradesh
Not just in Arunachal Pradesh, Tawang Gompa or the Tawang Monastery is actually the largest monastery in India and the second-largest in the world. The name Tawang gompa means translates to “the divine paradise of complete victory” in Tibet. There are 65 residential buildings on the entire property of Tawang Gompa. The legend says that the Prince of Lhasa lost his horse one day, and found it grazing outside the monastery. Eventually, more and more development happened and made the monastery what it is today.
2. Namphake Buddhist Monastery, Assam
Interestingly, Namphake Village is what gave Assam its reputation for Te production. People often call it the ‘Tea City of India. However, tea production and factories are not the only centres of attraction in Namphake Village. The dedication and devotion of the people of Namphake towards Buddhism and the cheating of Buddha make this place culturally rich. Additionally, the Namphake Monastery is the most famous in Assam, and it’s the most adored one too! Therefore, make sure to pay your visits.
3. Rumtek Monastery, Sikkim
Many people know The Rumtek Monastery as ‘Dharma Chakra Centre’. It is the largest monastery in Sikkim and is the seat-in-exile of the Gyalwang Karmapas. The origins of the monastery date back to the 18th century. However, the 16th karma decided to restore and renovate it after arriving in Sikkim in 1959. Later, the monastery reopened, holding the title of ‘Dharma Chakra Centre’ in 1966.
4. Kartok Monastery, Sikkim
Another popular monastery in Sikkim is the Kartok Monastery. It is the sixth oldest monastery of Sikkim and follows the order of Tibetan Buddhism. A visit to Kartok is always a fulfilling one since the Monastery is surrounded by mountains and a beautiful lake. Moreover, the entire scenery is truly picturesque. The best time to travel to Kartok is from March to June since it gets really cold during the winters.
5. Shillong Buddhist Monastery, Meghalaya
Since there aren’t many monasteries in Meghalaya, the Shillong Buddhist Monastery holds a special place in the hearts of people. However, in actuality, this is a Buddhist Temple. Budhha Purnima is majorly celebrated in this temple (as annual fest), and Poojas of morning, evening and afternoon take place inside the temple every day (similar to Hindu temples).
6. Abhaya Dana Forest Monastery, Mizoram
The words ‘Abhaya Dana’ mean fearlessness and trust in the Pali language. Interestingly, this monastery is a fairly new one since it was established very recently in 2020. As for the cultural practices, people prioritize the basic idea of following the teaching of Buddha here. As the name suggests, it stands under a forest of the village Old Bajeisora.
7. Pemayangtse Monastery, Sikkim
Lama Lhatsun Chempo designed and established the Pemayangtse Monastery in 1647. The monks in this monastery are ‘Ta-Tshang’, which means, they are ‘monks of pure lineage’. These monks are the most celibate and are born without any physical abnormalities. Incidentally, the monastery is one of the oldest and premier monasteries of Sikkim, so the organisation is a strict follower of these traditions. Additionally, the monks only come from the community of Bhutias of Sikkim.
8. Venuvan Vihara Buddhist Monastery, Tripura
The monastery originated in 1946 with the idols of Buddha and Bodhisattva in it. It is the biggest monastery in Tripura, and the locals consider it to be of great importance. Furthermore, there are also speculations about the Burmese origins of this shrine. It gets its name from the Venu van Vihara, which is a beautiful garden that surrounds the Monastery.
FAQs
Which is the largest Buddhist Monastery in the world?
The Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet, is the largest Buddhist Monastery in the world. In fact, it used to be the winter palace of Dalai Lamas before they fled to India.
Which is the biggest monastery in India?
Not just in Arunachal Pradesh, Tawang Gompa or the Tawang Monastery is actually the largest monastery in India and the second-largest in the world.
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