Tashilhunpo Monastery Traditional Tour in Tibet

The Tashilhunpo in southern Karnataka is the traditional seat of the Panchen Lama, the second highest ranking Lama after the Dalai Lama. Originally located outside of Shigatse, the second-largest city in Tibet, the China tourist monastery and its monks relocated to India after the Chinese invasion of 1959. The monastery was reconstructed in its new location in the Bylakuppe Settlement where it maintains its traditions and knowledge for future generations.

Tashilhunpo Monastery Tibet tour was founded in 1447 by Gendun Drup, the First Dalai Lama. Later, Lobsang Chkyi Gyalsten, the Fourth Panchen Lama, made major expansions to the monastery. Since then Panchen Lamas resided at Tashilhunpo, and expanded it gradually. Choekyi Gyalpo, the current and 11th Panchen Lama, was enthroned at Tashilhunpo, but does not reside there. In its heyday, Tashilhunpo had over 4,000 monks and had four Tantric colleges each with its own Abbot. After the death of a Panchen Lama, these four abbots led the search for his infant incarnation.

The Kelsang Temple is one of the oldest and biggest buildings in Tashilhunpo. It is a colossal compound. The Main Chanting Hall is a place for lamas to learn the sutras and listen to the Panchen Lama's sermon. On the back end of the hall lies a 5 meters (16 ft) high statue of Sakyamuni. It is said that a part of Sakyamuni's relics was placed in it. Two chapels sit on both sides of the Main Chanting Hall. The left one is devoted to Tara, the goddess who is believed to be the avatar of Avalokitesvara. A White Tara is in the middle and two Green Taras on each side. The right chapel is dedicated to Maitreya Buddha. With a height of 11 meters (36 ft), one can find the statue of Maitreya Buddha in the middle of the chapel. The statues of Avalokitesvara and Bodhisattva Manjusri created by the First Dalai Lama stands near the statue of Maitreya Buddha. The Great Courtyard of the Kelsang Temple is the place for lamas to practice and debate. The wall around the courtyard is covered by thousands of images of Sakyamuni in different postures and expressions. Get Tips for China travel.