Tawang Monastery, Arunachal Pradesh

The Monastery is located in the hazy mountains of the eastern Himalayan range in Arunachal Pradesh. The Tawang Monastery is the largest monastery in India.

The town is notorious for the Tawang Monastery. The Tawang Monastery was founded by Merak Lama Lodre Gyatso with the wishes of the 5th Dalai Lama, Ngawang Lobsang Gyatso in the year 1680-81. The monastery serves as a massive center of Mahayana Buddhism and spiritual learning for hundreds of monks.

The monastery is also known as Gaden Namgyal Lhatse, which means "the divine paradise of complete victory." It is located atop a hill, with an elevation of more than 10,000 feet, and gives the best views of the Tawang Valley.

This is a three-story high monastery surrounded by a 925-foot (282 m) long compound wall and consists of 65 residential buildings. This place houses more than 450 monks, where you can sit and enjoy the most gorgeous views of the Tawang River. Monastery’s nearby attractions are the Tawang War Memorial, the 15th-century Chakzam Bridge, and the stunning Pangateng Tso (PT Tso) Lake.

The monastery houses the Parkhang (library), which contains priceless, centuries-old ancient scriptures. This includes 400-year-old Kangyur manuscripts and gold-embossed texts detailing the teachings of Lord Buddha. It also features a towering 18 foot high gilded Buddha statue.

Tawang Monastery is a place where it feels like time slows down, allowing you to reconnect with your inner peace. There is no better way of returning to nature, especially after a busy week’s work in the city.

What is the best time to visit this place?

The Monastery is generally open daily from 07:00 AM to 07:00 PM, and the best time to go is between 07:00 AM and 10:00 AM to experience the morning prayers.

The following are the months divided into sections so that the travellers can choose the time to according their best interest:

November to March - White Snowy Landscape

Mid-December to March presents travellers with heavy snow, especially at Bumla Pass, Sela Pass, and high-altitude areas.

April to June - Flourishing Aesthetics due to Tawang’s Spring and Early Summers

Travellers can enjoy stress-free travel with clear roads and pleasant, sunny weather. Witness the glorious blooming of rhododendrons and numerous wildflowers, filling the hillsides with vibrant shade. This season is perfect for trekking in the trails, which will immerse you in local village life.

July & August: Traverse in the Lush green Valley in the Monsoons

Monsoon rainfall transforms Tawang into a thrilling panorama of greenery. Hills and valleys come alive with vibrant vegetation. Monsoon brings a burst of color as wildflowers bloom across the landscape.

September to November: Explore the Town’s Peace Post-Monsoon & Autumn’s Delight

Travellers can enjoy crisp, clear skies and lush green valleys flourished by the monsoon rains. Waterfalls will be flowing in their full glory.