Gungri Monastery is located in Lahul and Spiti district in Himachal Pradesh. It is one of the oldest Buddhist monastic establishments in the Pin Valley. Gungri monastery belongs to the red-headed division, `Nyingmapa` (Old School), launched by Padmasambhava, the benefactor saint of the Buddhists. He had established the Mahayana Tantric Buddhism here offset of 8th century. Tabo Monastery, Attargo, Kye Monastery, Kibber Monastery, Sichling and Dhankar Monastery are the nearby tourist destinations. Joginder Nagar and Shimla Railway Station is the nearest railhead. Gungri Monastery can be accessed by bus, available from Kaza.
History of the Gungri Monastery
The Gungri monastery experienced destruction in the hands of Sikh militia in A.D. 1841 and the blemishes of that devastation are still visible on the murals unseen at the back of the dark brown stain on the damaged walls of temple.
Architecture of the Gungri Monastery
Usually the Western Himalayan monasteries are built in a solid outline with all the temples and dwellings put together. However the Gungri monastery is structured on three separated rectangular blocks, all facing to the east. The Iha- khang is established on the highest terrace towards the North, followed by the Samdrup-chos-ling in the middle and a dense structure accepting the Tengyur on the southern-end.
Re-establishment of the Gungri Monastery
The Gungri Monastery is now being repaired widely, like many monasteries in Spiti. Many new buildings are coming up and the older ones are taken care of.
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