OVERVIEW

Namgyal Monastery is also the home of the Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama and the largest Tibetan temple outside Tibet. This beautiful monastery was founded in the 16th century by the second Dalai Lama and it was established so that Namgyal monks could assist the Dalai Lama in public religious affairs. The monks living here perform rituals for the welfare of Tibet and work as a center of learning and meditation on the profound Buddhist treatises. In 1959, the Red Chinese invaded Tibet, after which, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama along with thousands of Tibetans, including hundreds of Namgyal monks, fled into the neighboring countries of Nepal, Bhutan, and India and re-established the Namgyal monastery in India.

The Namgyal Monastery was first established by the 3rd Dalai Lama in 1575 in Tibet and was relocated to Dharamshala following the Tibetan uprising in 1959. The monastery currently houses around 200 Tibetan monks, who help preserve the monastery's ancient rituals, artistic skills, and traditions. The study of Buddhism includes modern studies of both Tibetan and English language, the study of Sutra and Tantra texts, Buddhist Philosophy, making butter sculptures, torma offerings, sand mandalas, playing various ritual musical instruments, ritual chanting, and dances.

Best Time To Visit

There is no specific time as the weather remains favorable here throughout the year. Visit at your own convenience.

Open and Closing Time

Visiting Time: 7 AM to 9 PM (Daily)

Suggested duration: 1 hour to 2 hours

General Information

Entry Fee

Entry Fee: No Entry Fee

Near By Attraction

Tsuglagkhang Complex Dal Lake Kangra Valley State Museum of Dharamshala Hotels available near Namgyal Monastery

Application Availability Which Saves Some Money

Zomato, Swiggy(Provide lip-smacking food at a cheap price). Uber, Ola(Provide 24/7 Cab Services).

Interesting facts about Namgyal Monastery

It was founded by the third Dalai Lama from 1564 to 1565.

It is also known as the Namgyal Dratsang in the local language which means the Victorious Monastery. The café, the book shop and the guest house are available for the tourists. The Namgyal Tantric College lies in the same premises where a number of monks learn the ancient so-called magic tricks. The leisure time of the young monks studying at the monastery is spent playing badminton and practicing debate. Namgyal Monastery to relax in a peaceful environment. Shove aside your hectic schedule and walk in to treat yourself with this amazing session of rejuvenation. The daily worshipping takes place inside the monastery under the supervision of His Holiness Dalai Lama and the other monks. When here, you can witness the ancient rituals, artistic skills, and traditions of making sculptures, building colored sand mandalas, alongside sacred monastic dance, music and chanting