Nepal is a picturesque destination that offers more than just trekking, mountaineering, and family vacations. It is also popular for meditation retreats, cultural visits, and spiritual quests. Nepal has several religious temples, stupas, and monasteries scattered throughout the country. The birthplace of Lord Buddha is what characterises Nepal the most. Every year, pilgrims from all over the world visit Nepal, particularly to discover and pay tribute in monasteries.
Here are some of the significant monasteries to visit while in Nepal:
White Gumba
A monastery on the heights of the Druk Amitabha Mountain, offering an amazing view of the Kathmandu valley below, is well-known for serenity and tranquillity, and the practice of Buddhism. It is a place to seek emancipation from hectic daily routines. The Druk Amitabha Mountain Monastery is also known as White Gumba, White Monastery, or Seto Gumba. It is located in the Nagarjun Municipality of Kathmandu, in the northern portion of Swayambhu.
It is a wonderful site to see and experience the rich Tibetan culture and practices. Being a Buddhist monastery, the environment exudes a tremendous sense of peace. People come here to meditate and to learn Buddhist teachings. The main features of this place are the wide garden with murals, statues, fountains, paintings, and Chaityas, all designed and built in the Tibetan architectural style. Many of these stunning structures provide insight into the culture’s richness, making it a must visit monastery in Nepal.
Kopan Monastery
The calm Kopan Monastery is located on the outskirts of Kathmandu Valley, on top of Kopan Hill. The Tibetan Buddhist monastery is significant because of its history and traditions. Offering numerous Buddhist courses, the place offers a respite from the rush of city life as well as a space for self-reflection. The hilltop monastery, situated just north to Boudhanath, offers a spectacular view of the Kathmandu valley. The former residence of an astrologer is now a serene monastery in the Gelug style of Tibetan Mahayana Buddhism led by Lama Zopa Rinpoche.
Thyangboche Monastery
Thyangboche Monastery is the largest and most famous Tibetan Buddhist monastery on the major Everest trekking route from Lukla to Everest Base Camp, located at an elevation of 3867 metres. This monastery, also known as Dawa Choling Gompa, is famous for its magnificent surroundings and wonderful interior. It is situated on a hill close to the intersection of the Dudh Koshi and Imja Khola rivers, with Mt. Ama Dablam as its backdrop.
This monastery is quite near its mother monastery, the Tibetan Rongbuk Monastery. Lama Gulu created the first Vajrayana Buddhist celibacy monastery in the Nyingma lineage in 1916. Nuns came to Thyangboche Monastery during its first year of operation to study and practise Buddhism, as Vajrayana Buddhism does not discriminate against gender. After a while, the nuns were housed at the nunnery in Devoche, a little monastery maintained by Thyangboche.
Matepani Monastery
Matepani Monastery is located in Pokhara’s Kundahar region, in the Kaski District. It is located on top of a little green hill about five kilometres east of Pokhara city. The monastery was founded in 1960 AD by Nyshangs who had moved to Pokhara from Manang. The daily prayer process of the monks who live there is a very unusual sight for outsiders. If you have the opportunity to establish friendship with and grow close to the monks there, you may be invited to their rite. Prayers are held numerous times a day in the big hall of Gumba.
The exquisite interior of the Matepani Gumba, with its beautiful hues in the artwork that signifies and represents several instances of Buddha’s life and various legends that make up Buddhist faith, will astound you. The majestic statue of Lord Buddha, as well as another 11-foot-tall statue, will undoubtedly attract your attention.
Compiled By: Rebika Bishokarma
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