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Pilgrimage Guide › Sacred Sites 28–36 › Tawang Monastery
Tawang Monastery in Arunachal Pradesh is the largest Buddhist monastery in India. Founded in 1680–81 by Merak Lama Lodre Gyatso at the wish of the 5th Dalai Lama, it stands at about 3,000 m in the eastern Himalayas.
Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh
1680–81
About 3,000 m
Tezpur (about 320 km); Guwahati
March to June, September to November
Permit needed for all visitors
Tawang Monastery, also called Galden Namgyal Lhatse, was founded in 1680–81 by Merak Lama Lodre Gyatso, following the wish of the 5th Dalai Lama. It belongs to the Gelug school and is the largest monastery in India, with many monks living within its walls.
The main prayer hall (Dukhang) holds a gilded Buddha image about 8 metres high, and the library keeps old Buddhist texts. The 6th Dalai Lama, Tsangyang Gyatso, was born in 1683 at Urgelling, a few kilometres from the monastery. In 1959, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama rested at Tawang after crossing into India.
Tawang is a great centre of prayer and learning in the eastern Himalayas. Joining the monks’ prayers in the vast assembly hall, before the golden Buddha, is a deeply moving experience for pilgrims.
The long mountain journey to Tawang, over high passes and through Monpa villages, also becomes part of the pilgrimage itself.
Tawang is about 320 km from Tezpur and about 480–530 km from Guwahati, through Bomdila and the high Se La Pass (about 4,170 m). The road journey takes two days with a night stop on the way. All visitors need a permit for Arunachal Pradesh: an Inner Line Permit for Indian citizens and a Protected Area Permit for foreigners. We arrange permits for our groups.
March to June and September to November are the best times, with clearer skies and open roads. Winter can bring snow and road closures at Se La Pass. Break the journey at Dirang or Bomdila to adjust to the altitude. Carry warm clothes and your passport and permit at all times.
Prime Value Tours can include this sacred place in a private tour for your group, with an English or Thai-speaking guide, comfortable air-conditioned transport, vegetarian meals and unhurried time for chanting and meditation at every stop. Tell us your group size and travel dates, and we will plan the best route and send your quotation within 24 hours.
Yes. Tawang Monastery is the largest Buddhist monastery in India.
Tawang Monastery was founded in 1680–81 by Merak Lama Lodre Gyatso, following the wish of the 5th Dalai Lama.
The 6th Dalai Lama was born in 1683 at Urgelling, a few kilometres from Tawang Monastery.
Yes. Indian citizens need an Inner Line Permit, and foreigners need a Protected Area Permit. Prime Value Tours can arrange these.
Fly to Tezpur or Guwahati, then travel by road through Bomdila and Se La Pass. The journey usually takes two days.
Government-approved tour operator from Varanasi since 1999. Private Buddhist pilgrimage tours for Thai and Southeast Asian groups, with English or Thai-speaking guides.
