Kye Monastery is situated 12 kms north of Kaza and serves the western population of Spiti in the Lahaul & Spiti District of Himachal Pradesh. It is the oldest and biggest monastery of the valley and located at (4116 m) above Kye village. It houses beautiful scriptures and paintings of Buddha and other goddesses. Lamas practice dance, sing and play on pipes and horns. Many Lamas get religious training here. It has murals and books of high aesthetic value. This monastery is an outstanding example of the monastic architecture, which developed during the 14th century in the wake of the Chinese influence. The Mongols plundered the monastery in the middle of the 17th century. In the 19th century, it again suffered three brutal attacks. The successive trails of destruction and patch-up jobs have resulted in a haphazard growth of box-like structures, and the complex now resembles a defensive fort. Kye Monastery in Kaza is one of the most beautiful monasteries in the valley. The monastery completed 1000 years in 2000 AD.
History
The history of the monastery dates back to 1000 AD. Thereafter, there have been several attacks on it. In the 17th century, the Mongols were the one who attacked the monastery. The 19th century saw three more effort to ruin the monastery. This continuous onslaught on the monastery resulted in frequent renovation and reconstruction work, which in turn has given rise to irregular box like structure. So much so that the structure now gives an appearance of fort rather than a monastery. Today, the monastery is renowned religious training center for the Lamas who can be seen dancing, singing and playing on their pipes and horns.
Site & Architecture
The design of Monastery is not symmetrical one. Continuous attacks and rebuilding lead to an uneven design pattern. The monastery looks like a fort, where temples are built on top of one another. Paintings and Murals cover the walls of monastery. This monastery is an outstanding example of the monastic architecture, which developed during the 14th century in the wake of the Chinese influence. The monastery enshrines Buddha images and idols, in the position of Dhyana. Kye Monastery in Spiti valley is another magnificent monument in Himachal Pradesh. The structure is so huge, that it looks more like a fort, than a monastery. The construction of this monastery does not look very orderly, rather it seems that in successive time, many temples have been added on top of the existing one. It has been a major center of Buddhist learning and pilgrimage.
Kye houses beautiful scriptures and paintings of Budha and other gods and goddesses. The monastery is also a center for religious teachings to Lamas (the Tibetan Monks). One can find Lamas practice, dance, sing and play on pipes and horns. It has a collocation of ancient murals and books of high aesthetic value. This monastery is a perfect example of the monastic architecture. Kye monastery was attacked by the Mongols during 17th century, and suffered 3 more attacks in 19th century. The successive trails of destruction and patch-up jobs have resulted in a haphazard growth of box-like structures, and thus complex now resembles a defensive fort.
The 1000 years old Kye monastery is another millennium years old monastery, after Tabo monastery. Kye monastery dates back to 1000 AD, and a celebration of its millennium years were conducted in 2000. The celebrations witness `His Holiness Dalai Lama`, along with more than 15,000 Buddhist devotees from all parts of the globe. Buddhist regards 1000 years as Kalachakra or the `Wheel of Time`. Kalchakra is a religious celebration performed by the Dalai Lama every year. It is considered the most revered and secret spiritual practice of trans Himalayan Buddhism for the Moksha (salvation) of all mankind. On a monastery`s millennium year, the Kalachakra ceremony was considered all the more auspicious.
