Tawang Travel Guide

Situated at a height of more than 3000 meters, Tawang is renowned for its 400 year old Buddhist Monastery, the biggest Buddhist monastery in India. The Monastery was founded by a monk, Mera Lama, a contemporary of the fifth Dalai Lama. Before the establishment of the Monastery, Tawang was a centre of Tantric religion. The Tawang Monastery is also known as the ‘Galden Namgyal Lhatse’. The sixth Dalai Lama was born here.

The ‘Parkhang’ hall of the monastery houses the library which boasts rare hand written and block-printed Thankas or manuscripts of revered books like ‘Tangym’, ‘Kangyur’ and ‘Sungbhum’. The other uncommon works of Buddhist literature include 108 gold embossed manuscripts of the ‘Teaching of Lord Buddha’ and 225 volumes of the explanations of Buddha’s teachings covered with specially designed moth - proof silk adorned with paintings. The monastery complex also includes a towering 18 ft high gilded statue of the Buddha. There is also a craft centre, which produces exquisite woollen carpets.

Tawang is also suitable for trekking and hiking.