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Urgelling Monastery is one of the oldest monasteries in India. It is the birthplace of the 6th Dalai Lama, Tsayang Gyatso, who was born in 1683. Before he left the monastery, he struck the ground at the monastery gate with his walking stick. The stick is believed to have grown out to be a giant oak tree that still stands strong at the gates of Urgelling Monastery. It is one of the holiest places for Buddhists all around the world. This blog will guide you through all you need to know.
Urgelling Monastery Location
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Urgelling Monastery or Urgelling Gompa is in Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh. It is a small monastery, surrounded by beautiful hills, and rural villages with rugged roads. It is one of the least crowded places in India.
Suggested Read: Top Places To Visit In Tawang For An Unforgettable Experience
How To Reach Urgelling Monastery
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The monastery is 3 km away from Tawang Town Center. You can either take a taxi or walk to the holy place. You’ll know you have reached the monastery when you see a red & blackboard with an inscription about the creation of the beautiful old monastery.
Things To Do
There are several things to see at Urgelling Monastery. The place is a perfect dive into the daily life of a Buddhist monk.
1. Explore The Birthplace Of The 6th Dalai Lama
Photo: Dhrubazaanphotography / Wikimedia Commons
The monastery is famous for being the birthplace of Tsayang Gyatso, the sixth Dalai Lama, born in 1683. The monastery still holds his birthplace and visitors can stop by where the great saint was born and grew up. The authorities at the monastery have made quite an effort to give respect to the holy one and his journey. You can also visit the oak tree that supposedly grew Tsayang Gyatso’s walking stick as he walked out of Urgelling for Lhasa.
Suggested Read: Things To Do In Itanagar on your next vacation To Arunachal Pradesh
2. Visit The Main Hall
Photo: Jayanth Muppaneni / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only
If you visit the monastery, you have to explore the main hall. The place is decorated with hand-drawn paintings of all the Dalai Lamas and figures of all the deities from Buddhism. Once you enter, you will experience the faint sound of a bell and the aroma of burning incense, making the whole atmosphere heavenly. The Main Hall radiates peace, serenity and tranquillity. It is a great place to pray and meditate. The main hall is small, but it is still beautiful.
3. Witness The Beautiful Tibetan Thangkas
Photo: Vanvelthem Cédric / Wiimedia Commons
Every Buddhist monastery is covered in Tibetan Thangkas. Tibetan Thangkas are a form of paintings that depict all the deities, mythical beings and symbols from Buddhism. These beautiful artworks are used as learning aids to illustrate a story or life of a deity or a teacher. They’re quite expensive, so if you visit the Urgelling monastery, make sure you look at these paintings.
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4. Learn About The History Of The Oak Tree
Photo: Rohit Sharma / Wikimedia Commons
The Oak tree at the gate is a must-see at this holy monastery. As he reached the gates of Urgelling Monastery, he struck the ground with his walking stick, which got stuck in the place. It is believed that the place where his walking stick was stuck, now stands a tall and powerful Oak Tree. While we might not know the true origin of the tree, the oak tree is quite famous among the pilgrims and tourists around the world who visit the monastery every year.
5. Experience Monastic Life
Photo: Basile Morin / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Buddhist monks live one of the hardest lives on this green planet. Their life is hyper-focused on self-control, discipline, focus, meditation, and wisdom. These monks live a life unthinkable by most people in the village. They are celibate and spend their days taking care of the monastery, meditating and doing community service to the nearby villages. The Buddhist monastic lifestyle traditions are one of the oldest monastic traditions in the world, established by Gautam Buddha himself.
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Where To Stay
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The closest accommodation option to Urgelling Monastery is Tawang. Here you can find some great places to stay during your visit to Arunachal Pradesh. Places such as Ugyenling Hotel Tawang, and Bumla Inn are the closest accommodation options to the monastery.
Where To Eat
Photo: Gayatri Malhotra / Wikimedia Commons
The monastery is away from the town and is in the Urgelling village. There are almost no eating options in or around the monastery. You can grab something to eat from the local vendors in the village or bring your lunch with you. If you decide to stay at Tawang, you can get a chance to taste cuisine from Northeast India, and India in general. Foods like Naga Thali and Pani Puri made from wheat flour and dosas are quite popular in Arunachal Pradesh.
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Best Time To Visit
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The Urgelling Monastery is open all year round, every day of the week but the best time to visit the monastery is during winter when Tawang is covered in snow. If you plan on visiting the monastery, you must make sure the caretaker is available or you might waste your time walking to the monastery. The caretaker is around during the earliest hours of the day and night. it’s better if you visit the monastery during the daytime to enjoy the peaceful tour of the holy place.
Other Factors To Consider
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Tips For Travellers
- You should dress modestly while visiting the holy place.
- Carry all necessary amenities such as a mobile phone, water bottle, etc.
- When visiting the monastery, make sure you respect the sacredness of the place.
- Carry your trash with you and do not litter around the premises.
Suggested Read: Discover Top Things To Do In Tawang To Make Your Vacation Memorable
Urgelling Monastery is one of the most beautiful places in the world. The place is small, humble and modest compared to other monasteries in the same area. It is one of the few places you need to visit at least once in your life to witness beauty and experience peace. If you want to explore Arunachal Pradesh, and Tawang, book your trip with TripXL.
Cover Photo: Mayur More / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only
