Monasteries in Arunachal
Tawang Monastery
A sacred monastery known as Tawang Ganden Mangyal Lhatse or ‘the celestial paradise of the divine site chosen by a horse’. The monastery is a old 400 years religious institution with 17 Gompas which was build amidst the ranges with nice views of Tawang-Chu valley. It houses around or more than 300 monks of areas within Arunachal.
Tawang Monastery can be reached from its northern side through ‘Kakaling’, a stone-walled hut-like structure. Monastery contains several buildings, a three-storied assembly hall called ‘Dukhang’ is the main one. An ornate statue of Sakyamuni dominates the inner sanctum with painting, murals, sculptures, decorative fabrics and sculptures.
Festivals in Tawang Monastery
Torgya, Choksar, Ajilamu, and Losar
- Choksar festival consists religious scripture recital, usually villagers skip religious scriptures and walk through their farmlands as a ritual for productivity at their field.
- Losar festival is the Tibetan New Year, the monks read scriptures, perform religious dances, make special delicacies or perform religious colourful decorations.
- Ajilamu or Aji Lamu is a regional festival of Monpa community, generally celebrated with Pantomine dance, reading scriptures or deer dance
Bomdila Monastery
Established in 1965, the colorful Bomdila Monastery remains important spiritual node of the Mahayana. Nestled within the deep mountains, the peaceful abode of monks is believed as the replica of the Tsona Gontse Monastery in Tibet.
- The monastery has the higher Gompa, the central Gompa, and the lesser Gompa. Inside the Gompas, a prayer hall for Lamas, a temple for Buddha, quarters for monks, and a school for young monks. Monastery in Bomdila is famed worldwide due to its unique long & rich Buddhist culture.