Dhankar Monastery

Dhankar Monastery is the symbolic salutation to the spiritual beliefs of the Buddhist community. It is located in Lahaul and Spiti valley, and has been listed as one of the hundred most endangered monuments in the entire world. Situated at an altitude of 3,894 meters, it offers a spellbinding view of the Spiti valley and is a melting pot for diverse cultures and religions. For a truly enriching experience, include a visit to Dhankar Monastery in your Spiti Valley Holiday Packages.

Dhankar Monastery is also known as Dhangkar Gompa or Dhankhar and was built around 1000 years ago. It was also known as Lha-od Gompa after it’s founder and renovator, Lha-od, who was a popular lama. This monastery is the main center of Buddhist culture and houses the collection of centuries-old thanksas.

One of the prime attractions of this monastery is the statue of Vairochana that consists of four figures of Buddha in the state of meditation. You will also find here Buddhist scriptures, Medicine Buddha murals, and protector deities. It also consists of a small museum where murals and scriptures have been stored.

You can also spot many beautiful Thangka paintings on the wall of this monastery. Presently, some of the sections of this gompa have been totally abandoned due to the deterioration of the building, and a new gompa has been built in place of it to lure the visitors.

The monastery is still standing in a fragile condition, and more than twenty people are not allowed to enter this monastery at one time. From the Dhankar monastery, you can indulge in a thrilling trekking experience to Dhankar Lake.

• Experience the beautiful views of the Spiti Valley, with its rocky mountains and the confluence of the Spiti and Pin rivers.
• Marvel at the statue of Vairochana or Dhayan Buddha, old Buddhist scriptures, and Thangka paintings inside the Dhankar Monastery.
• Learn about the rich history and cultural significance of Dhankar Monastery as you walk through its ancient rooms.
• Observe monks praying and meditating in the monastery's spiritual atmosphere, and gain knowledge of their lives.
• Trek to Dhankar Lake to witness a serene view of the lake with reflections of the snow-capped mountains.

History of Dhankar Monastery

Structure of Monastery

Tips for Visiting Dhankar Monastery

You can start your journey to Dhankar Monastery from either Shimla or Manali. Manali is the shortest route but sadly it is not open throughout the year. So Shimla is always the recommended route. Although you can only take roads to the monastery but flights and trains from your original destination till Shimla and Manali could do a little help. From any of the two destinations, you have following options except driving on your own:

- Taxi:
You can take a taxi from Manali to Kaza and then another taxi from Kaza to Dhankar Monastery which is just 34 KM from there. If you are starting your journey from Shimla, then you must take a taxi to Kaza and descend in between Tabo and Kaza at Dhankar to reach the Dhankar Monastery.

- Bus:
Buses from Manali drop you off at Kaza by the evening of the same day you started and from there you can take a taxi to reach the monastery. You can take a bus from Shimla to Reckong Peo and then from Reckong Peo to Kaza. You have to keep in mind to drop off between Tabo and Kaza to reach the Dhankar Monastery.

- Car:
It is easy to drive your own way to the monastery while enjoying the surrounding beauty of the routes. You can drive via Manali through the Rohtang Pass and then reach Kaza. From there it would take less than an hour to drive to the monastery. Just make sure to have a permit to drive on the Rohtang Pass in case using a personal vehicle.

Whereas, the route from Shimla is easy and adventurous. You start driving from Shimla towards Kaza and take a pit stop after Tabo and before Kaza at Dhankar where you will find the Dhankar Monastery.