My
second day in Manali, started as a lazy one. Curled up in my blanket with
temperature outside dropping, though I wanted to sleep all day, I also didn’t
want to miss the picturesque views the place had to offer.
My
second day at this hill station began with a trip to the famous Tibetan
Monasteries. The existence of several monasteries was evident with the major
population being Tibetans. These monasteries preserve the culture literature and the handicrafts of
the people of Tibet and hence are of high significance to the community.
The
Gadhan Thekchoking Gompa, situated near the Mall in Manali, is a monastery run
by the local people with the help of the funds they gather through donations.
The monastery sells handicrafts of Tibetan artistry and carpets that are
beautifully woven. The monastery was constructed in the year 1969 and it represents
the Tibetan style of architecture with Lord Buddha statue as its presiding
deity.
All
the Lamas at these monasteries are trained as preachers and performers of
religious rites. The Gadhan Thekchoking Gompa monastery also runs a Thanka
school of arts as well as a carpet-weaving centre hence preserving the art.
The
next monastery I visited was the Himalayan Nyingamapa Gompa, situated near the
market. The architecture of this monastery is modern as compared to the Gadhan
Thekchoking Gompa. The monastery is surrounded by beds of sunflowers and is a
sight to behold when its premise is it lit up at night using light bulbs thus, adding
serenity and charm to its overall presence. This monastery features a huge
gold-faced statue of Lord Buddha.
Look out for more of Sanjeev Nanda’s travel stories to the Hill Stations of India!
No comments:
Post a Comment