Ajanta of the Himalayas

Tabo Monastery, located in the Spiti Valley of Himachal Pradesh, India, is one of the most significant Buddhist monasteries in the region. Tabo Monastery, also known as the ‘Ajanta of the Himalayas,’ is one of the most popular monasteries in the Lahaul and Spiti Valley and was founded more than a millennium back in 996 A.D. This ancient structure stands on the barren, cold, and rocky desert of the Tabo valley at a dizzying height of 3050 meters above sea level. This untouched beauty has preserved the glorious heritage, traditions, and culture of Buddhism through the passage of centuries. According to the Tibetan Calendar, the Tabo Monastery is believed to have been established in the year of the Fire Ape, by a great teacher and translator Lotsawa Rinchen Tsang Po, the king of the western Himalayan Kingdom of Guge.

The best time to visit Spiti Valley is between March to June when the weather is pleasant and cool. These months are the best for adventures like trekking, camping, hiking, mountain biking, and much more. Spiti Valley to Tabo Monastery distance 53.5km

Assembly Hall (Du-khang): This is the main prayer hall of the monastery, adorned with ancient paintings and sculptures.

Stupa: The monastery houses a large stupa, a significant religious structure in Buddhism.

Ancient Caves: Surrounding the monastery are numerous caves that were used by monks for meditation and retreat.

A historic treasure of India and a heaven in its own right, the Tabo Gompa, or Buddhist monastery is second in importance only to the Tholing Gompa in Tibet. It was developed as an advanced centre for Buddhist learning and to preserve the Buddhist legacy. The monastery complex comprises 9 temples, 23 chortens, a monk’s chamber, and an extension that houses the nun’s chamber.