Credit: vinod kumar
About Kardang Monastery
Lahaul and Spiti are place of monasteries. Once part of the Ladakh kingdom, Buddhism has flourished in the region since ancient times. Kardang Monastery, located in the district of Lahaul, is quite an important monastery.
History of Kardang Monastery
It was built in the 12th century on the left bank of Bhaga river. The importance of the monastery is reflected in the village of Kardang, which was once the capital of Lahul. The monastery remained in a dilapidated condition until it recovered in 1912 CE by Lama Norbu Rinpoche
He, along with Lama Kunga, established the monastery for educational and training purposes. The monastery is a treasure trove of knowledge and houses the Kangur and Tangyur in Sherpa and Bhotia languages.
Situated on the ridge below Rangacha Peak, the monastery has a main temple in which the Sakyamuni sit at the center, surrounded by Padmasambhava , Vajradhara on the right and left. The second room, which is the main prayer hall, has the statue of Avalokitesvara.
A large number of monks and Chomos reside in the monastery. They have equal rights and have permission to have a family. In the month of summer, they go back to their families work in the field and return in the months of winter.
How to Reach
Kardang monastery is accessible through a road that connects to the Tandi Bridge (the confluence of the Chandra and Bhaga river). From the district of Lahul, the monastery is 22 km away.