Tashilhunpo Monastery

Tashilhunpo Monastery is counted among the six biggest monasteries of Gelugpa in Tibet. It rests at the foot of Drolmari. The monastery was founded in 1447 by the First Dailai Lama. Thereafter its expansion work was taken up by the Fourth and successive Panchen Lamas.

Tashilhunpo Monastery covers a total area of around 300,000 square meters. Some of the main features of this shrine are Maitreya Chapel, The Panchen Lama's Palace and The Kelsang Temple. This seat of the Panchen Lama today acts home to over 800 lamas.

Visit here to explore its imposing buildings topped with golden roofs and white walls. The Thangka Wall here is huge and was raised by the First Dalai Lama in 1468. The wall is adorned with the images of Buddha annually on the 14th, 15th and 16th of May. Also stroll around the Maitreya Chapel on the west side of Tashilhunpo. It houses one of the largest statues of Maitreya Buddha in a sitting position. The statue rises to a height of 26.2 meters and is adorned with gold, pearl, amber, copper, coral, diamond and many other precious gems. It is said that this status took over 9 years in completion with hard work done by 900 craftsmen.

The Stupa-tomb of the Tenth Panchen Lama is on the east of the chapel. It is covered with 614 kg gold, 868 valuable stones and 246,794 jewels. There is also the Panchen Lama's Palace next to the Stupa-tomb constructed during the rule of the Six Panchen Lama. Tourists still cannot access this place. The Stupa-tomb of the Fourth Panchen Lama is on the east of the Panchen Lama's Palace.

Another ancient wonder of Tashilhunpo is the Kelsang Temple, one of the oldest shrines in Tashilhunpo. Then there is the Main Chanting Hall where lamas learn sutras and Panchen Lama's sermons are given.

Tashilhunpo Monastery has numerous other features which one needs to see to believe. Here you can go deep into the history of Tibet and learn about the ancient religion sprawling here.