Tayul Gompa is situated around 6 km from Keylong in the Bhaga Valley of Himachal Pradesh. It is one of the oldest functional monasteries in the Lahaul and Spiti Valley. Lama Sarjan Rinchain from the community of the Dogma Gompa built this monastery in the 17th century. Tulku Tashi Tanphel, a Ladakhi, carried out the renovation work at this monastery a century later. As a result, its walls became resplendent with murals and stucco paintings. This gompa is easily accessible to tourists from the towns of Kaza and Keylong. During the Himachal tour, you can explore this monastery along with other famous attractions of the region. Book a Himachal tour with us and customize the itinerary according to your requirements.
Legend
Tayul Gompa houses a unique collection of statues, paintings, and wall murals. The prime attraction of this monastery is the 12 feet statue of Padmasambhava. The famous hundred million Mani Wheel is also of great interest to tourists. According to legend, the Mani Wheel turns on its own during special occasions! Both pilgrims and tourists turn these wheels to seek the blessings of God.
You can check out the 101 volumes of the sacred Kangyur texts kept at the library. The Thangkas highlight the early life of the Lord Buddha. During the renovation work, the Narthang edition of the Kangyur was added to this library.
How to Reach Tayul Gompa
You can drive from Keylong to this Gompa. Many pilgrims also walk up to this monastery from Keylong. Keylong lies on the highway of Manali-Leh and is around 122 km from Manali. However, the Manali-Leh road is only open from June to November since snowfall makes this route inaccessible from the month of December.
Around Tayul Gompa
Keylong is the district headquarters of the trans-Himalayan region of the Lahaul and Spiti Valley. This region is famous for being home to a number of ancient monasteries. Over the years, Keylong and Kaza have emerged as popular destinations for Buddhist pilgrimage. Here are some of the prominent monasteries you can visit besides the Tayul Gompa:
- The Shashur Monastery – The King of Bhutan commissioned the Shashur Monastery in the 17th century. Located amidst blue pine trees, this monastery has beautiful surroundings. The priceless paintings and a 15 feet high Thangka are among the main attractions.
- The Ghemur Monastery – Located around 18 km from Keylong, this gompa is famous for its devil dance performance.