Key Monastery
Overview
- •Kye Gompa is a Tibetan Buddhist monastery of the Gelugpa sect located on top of a hill at an altitude of 4,166 metres (13,668 ft) above sea level, close to the Spiti River, in the Spiti Valley of Himachal Pradesh, Lahaul and Spiti district, India.
Highlights
- It is the largest monastery of the Spiti Valley and a religious training centre for lamas.
- It reportedly had 100 monks in 1855.
- The monastery is dedicated to Lochen Tulku, the 24th reincarnation of the great translator Lotsawa Rinchen Zangpo.
- It is about 12 km (7.5 mi) north of Kaza and 210 km (130 mi) from Manali by road.
Dress Code
Modest, respectful clothing is expected at this site.
History
- •Kye Gompa is said to have been founded by Dromtön (Brom-ston, 1008–1064 CE), a pupil of the famous teacher, Atisha, in the 11th century.
- •This may, however, refer to a now destroyed Kadampa monastery at the nearby village of Rangrik, which was probably destroyed in the 14th century when the Sakya sect rose to power with Mongol assistance.
- •In the mid-17th century, during the reign of the Fifth Dalai Lama, Kye was extensively plundered and damaged by the Mongols, and became a Gelugpa establishment.
- •Around 1821, it was sacked again during the wars between Ladakh and Kulu.
Things to Do
Visit Key Monastery
FlexibleKye Gompa is a Tibetan Buddhist monastery of the Gelugpa sect located on top of a hill at an altitude of 4,166 metres (13,668 ft) above sea level, close to the Spiti River, in the Spiti Valley of Himachal Pradesh, Lahaul and Spiti district, India.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Kye Gompa is a Tibetan Buddhist monastery of the Gelugpa sect located on top of a hill at an altitude of 4,166 metres (13,668 ft) above sea level, close to the Spiti River, in the Spiti Valley of Himachal Pradesh, Lahaul and Spiti district, India.
It is about 3.8 km from central Kibber.
The most comfortable months are January, February, April, May and June; August is the hottest, with highs around 19°C.
Quick Information
Best Time
October to March
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