Tabo monastery is located in the Spiti Valley, Himachal Pradesh. Perched at an altitude of 3050 m, it offers splendid sights of the valley below. The monastery was established by Richen Zangpo, in year 960 AD.

Tabo Gompa, located in India, was supposed to be used as an establishment for avanced studies. It foresaw a period of enormous growth in the Tibetan art between the 11th century and the 20th century. Tabo monastery decorated with quite a few exquisite murals, some of them going back to the 11th century.

The whole monastery complex is composed of nine structures, of which the most popular is Duwang Lakhang. The enormous Chaitya Hall has splendid architecture as well as some splendid Buddhist sculptures. Independently of the latter, there is the splendid four-face Buddha, Amitay Bouddha (in lotus seat), an stucco idol of Bodhisattva Maitreya, etc Because of its beautiful mural and stucco images, Tabo was given the name “Ajanta of the Himalayas”.

The monastery is used as residence for about ixty monks. The principal tomb inside the monastery is that of Tsug Lhakang and it is located in the middle of the complex. Tabo monastery also has a rich collection of clay statues of the Buddha, painted in the Kashimiri style.

Fast Facts

Location

Spiti Valley, Himachal Pradesh.

Founded In: 96 AD.
Founded By: Richen Zangpo.