Tawang Monastery, Tawang
Known by its Tibetan name Gaden Namgyal Lhatse, meaning “the divine paradise of complete victory,” it was founded in 1680–1681 by Merak Lama Lodre Gyatso, following the directive of the 5th Dalai Lama.
Architecture of the Temple
The monastery is a striking three-storey Dzong-style structure, enclosed within a 925‑ft long compound wall, and comprises 65 residential buildings.
Its assembly hall (Dukhang) houses a towering 8-meter (26-ft) Buddha statue, alongside vibrant thankas and intricate Buddhist murals and artwork The entrance, or kakaling, is grand and richly painted, setting the tone for the spiritual experience within
How to Reach to Temple
By Air: Nearest major airports are Tezpur (~317 km) and Guwahati (~480 km). From there, visitors can hire taxis or shared vehicles to Tawang; helicopter services also operate occasionally.
By Road: Scenic and challenging routes via:
- Tezpur → Bomdila → Sela Pass → Tawang (~12-hour drive)
- Guwahati → Dirang → Sela Pass → Tawang, crossing the high-altitude Sela Pass (~13,700 ft).
Permits: Indian citizens need an Inner Line Permit (ILP); foreign nationals require a Restricted Area Permit (RAP)
Temple Timings
