Tibetan Monasteries
The colourful Tibetan monastery
is famous for its carpet-weaving unit where the residents,
the immigrants from Tibet, produce handicrafts of various
kinds that attract the tourists towards it
Tibetan Monastery is one of the oldest
and famous place in Manali. Due to huge number of tibetan
peoples settled in Kullu Manali Tibetan Monasteries
has been set up.
The main attraction of the monastery is the handicrafts
of Tibetan artistry and the carpets that are woven and
sold in the monastery. The Gadhan Thekchoking Gompa in
Manali was constructed in the year 1969. The architecture
of the monastery represents the Tibetan style of architecture
designed with hued frescoes. The statue of the Lord Buddha
presides in the monastery.
The Gadhan Thekchoking Gompa is situated
near the Mall in Manali. The monastery is run by the local
people who gather funds through donations.
The aromatic fragrance of the Tibetan incense sticks that
are lit in the Tibetan Monasteries of Manali lays an enchanting
charm on the tourists and lures them to visit the monastery
again. The Tibetan monasteries at Manali are one of the
main Manali tourist attraction and features chiefly as
an important pilgrim itinerary on a tour of Manali.
Lamas are trained as preachers and performers
of religious rites in the monastery. The monastery also
runs a Thanka school of arts and a carpet-weaving centre.
This is done mainly to preserve ancient
Tibetan art. Handicraft are also kept for sale to outsiders.
The paintings inside depict events from Lord Buddha's
life. The Kalchakra i.e. the wheel of life painted on
the wall of the monastery shows the circle of life. In
the vicinity of the monastery there is the 'manne'. The
Buddhists believe that rotating it gives you salvation.
There is another monastery at Pangran,
about 8 km from Patlikuhl a small town on National Highway.
The lamas (Monks) are given training to be preachers.
During the training the lamas are not allowed to go out.
They are provided with lodging and food.
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