Monasteries
 Arunachal has been the land of Buddhists and known for some of the largest Buddhist monasteries in India. Some of the important Buddhist monasteries in Arunachal Pradesh embrace the Bomdila monastery and the Tawang monastery.
Bomdila Monastery, situated in state of Arunachal Pradesh, dates back to the year 1965. It owes its initiation to the 12th reincarnate of Tsona Gontse Rinpoche, who got this monastery built before his death in the year 1966. The monastery of Bomdila is an ersatz of the Tsona Gontse Monastery, located at Tsona in South Tibet. The foremost prayer hall of the monastery was added later on by the 13th reincarnate of Tsona Gontse Rinpoche. This hall was later hallowed by His Holiness, the 14th Dalai Lama, in October 1997.
Tawang Monastery is situated in the state of Arunachal Pradesh. It lies at a distance of approximately 180 km from Bomdila. The monastery stands on the brink of a hilltop, at an altitude of approximately 10,000 ft. One of the largest Buddhist monasteries in India, Tawang Gompa also holds the distinction of being the birthplace of the 6th Dalai Lama known by the name of Galden Namgyal Lhatse also, the monastery dates back to the year 1860-61.
Founded by Merak Lama Lodre Gyamtso, it is an epitome of Buddhist architecture and belongs to Gelukpa section. One of the key attractions of Tawang Monastery is the colossal gilded statue of Lord Buddha. It also houses a rich collection of invaluable manuscripts, books depicting Lord Buddha as well as other tutelary deities in sundry poses. At the entrance of the monastery is a pond, known as Dung Gyur Mani. The monastery sources its water from this pond only. |
