Credit: Saurabh
About Dhankar Monastery
If you are traveling from Kaza to Tabo , Dhankar monastery is one of the key monasteries that fall enroute. The ancient capital seat of Spiti kingdom, the monastery or fort in the local language, Dhang or dang means cliff, and kar or khar means fort Hence, Dhangkar means fort on a cliff
From the complex of a monastery, one can see the spectacular confluence of the Spiti and Pin rivers. Situated in a strategic location, the monastery has served a dual role as both a monastery and fort. Whenever an enemy attack came, the locals came under the protection of the fort.
Features of the fort range from the 12th century to the 17th century.
The early local rulers, known as Nono, played a special role of cultivating the land and repairing the fort. They dispensed justice with harsh penalties that were later removed during British rule.
Nonos were either locals or chiefs sent by the Ladakh rulers to control the region. However, when the rulers of Ladakh became weak, they started controlling the local affairs. They send periodic tributes whenever they come under the attack of Chamba, Kullu, and Ladakh.