| Tobo Monasteries |
| The monasteries of Himachal Pradesh are highly significant and revered by the people of all religion. Tabo is another important tourist place in the Buddhist pilgrimage list, situated in Himachal Pradsesh. The land of Tabo is very holy for Buddhists, as it houses many ancient and new monasteries. The place is more famous for the ancient monastery, believed to be built before the Alchi monastery, which has considerable similarity in terms of Kashmiri Art paintings. Tabo Monastery was founded by the great scholar, Richen Zangpo, in the year 960 AD. Tabo Gompa, located in India, was meant to serve as an institution for advanced learning. Tabo Monastery is also known as 'Tabo Chos Khor', which means 'Doctrinal Circle' or 'Doctrinal Enclave' of Tabo, and houses Deva Gyatsho. In June-July 1996, Tabo celebrated a millennium of its glorious existence. |
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| The location of the Tabo Monastery adds to its charm. The monastery stands at a secluded, flat, barren ground occupying an area of 6300 sq km. it offers magnificent views of the valley below. High boundary wall of mud bricks surround it. Infact, it saw tremendous growth in the Tibetan art between 11th century and 20th century. Tabo Monastery is adorned with a number of exquisite ancient murals, some of them dating back to the 11th century. Tabo is also refered as "Ajanta of the Himalayas". The Tabo Monastery is actually a complex, encompassiing many small Gompas, monasteries and temples. The world famous ancient monastery, located on the bank of river Spiti, offers a valuable window to Tibetan culture. There are a total of nine shrines, which were constructed and renovated between 10 th & l5th century AD. The most important amongst these shrine is Dukhung. |
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Inside
9 temples, 23 chortens, a monk's chamber and an extension that houses the nuns chamber are the part of the Tabo Monastery complex. In the monastery complex there are a group of temples regarded as ancient constructions and also comprises the temples built recently. The Temple of the Enlightened Gods, The Golden Temple, The Mystic Mandala Temple or Initiation Temple, The Bodhisattva Maitreya Temple and The Temple of Dromton are some of the temples are constructed by many great personalities of Buddhism. |
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| The temples that are recently build up are The Chamber of Picture Treasures, The Large Temple of Dromton, The Mahakala Vajra Bhairava Temple and The White Temple. |
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| The Temple of the Enlightened Gods or gTug-Lha-khang with a four-fold figure of Vairocana as its prime figure is the assembly hall of the monastery complex. 2 m above the floor showing the turning wheel of law, the figure is in sitting posture. The Vajradhatu Mandala, 33 life size stucco images are placed on the brackets along the walls. The paintings of showcase of the life of Buddha in its various stages are adorned on the walls of the temple. Artists from Kashmir are known for the splendid work of paintings in the temple. As the name states the Golden Temple or gSer-khang was earlier layered with gold. Plenty of renovation work was done with the advent of 16th century at the behest of the Ladakhi ruler, Sengye Namgyal. Because of temple’s excellent murals it is worth a visit. |
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| The Mystic Mandala Temple or Initiation Temple or dKyil-kHor- khang is dominated by the fascinating painting of Vairocana surrounded by eight Bodhisattvas. On the wall the painting can be seen that faces the door. Mystic Mandala occupies the rest of the temple premises. The place where monkhood is initiated is the importance site of the temple. In the Bodhisattva Maitreya Temple or Byams-Pa Chen-po Lha-khang a hall, vestibule and sanctum are the segregated sections. The prime attraction of this temple is a towering 6 m tall image of the Bodhisattva Maitreya. The Temple of Dromton or Brom-ston Lha khang is located on the northern tip of the complex. The temple was constructed by an ardent disciple of Atisha, Dromton (1008-1064 AD) is the belief. The interiors are adorned with beautiful murals and on the doorways, exquisite carvings are some of the attraction. |
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| The Chamber of Picture Treasures or Z'al-ma is the home to murals of Buddha, his disciples and protective deities in the pure Tibetan style and is attached to the Enlightened Temple of God. The Large Temple of Dromton or Brom-ston Lha khang : is the second largest temple occupying a floor area of 70 sq km of the monastery. The portico and the niche also cover an addition area of 42 sq km. On the outer wall a beautiful work of eight Medicine Buddhas and Guardian Kings are adorned. The Mahakala Vajra Bhairava Temple or Gon-khang : The fierce protective deities of Gelukpa sect are numerous in the room. This is the reason why this temple is also known as the 'temple of horror'. The White Temple or dKar-abyum Lha-Khang walls are decorated. There is a low dado for the monks or nuns to lean against. |
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| To reach the scared place |
| Tabo can reached by road from Manali and Shimla. From Manali, Tabo is around 250 Km, and takes around 12 hours. Shimla is 365 kms from Tabo, and it takes more than a day to reach Tabo from Shimla. One can also reach Kullu by air, and take up the roadways to reach Tabo, which is 295 kms from Kullu. |
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