Credit: bhaven shah
A bowl shaped flat valley above 10,760 feet has developed into a major halt station going toward Kaza. Surrounded by naked mountains, tabo has numerous visiting points in the form of tabo monastery and ancient caves of more than 1000 years old.
One of the oldest Buddhist structures, the monastery was established in 996 AD under the Gue kingdom from western Tibet. The center of buddhist learning and philosophy contains thangkas, frescoes decorating the walls of temple
In the earthquake of 1975, the structure received damages that were rebuilt, and a new hall, Du-kang or Assembly, was constructed in 1983.
At present, the monastery is under the protection of Archaeological survey of India
Credit: Zenomadic
History of Tabo monastery
In western Tibet, there was once a kingdom of Purang-Guge kingdom in the 10th century that flourished from Ladakh to Mustang. The kingdom was established by the Buddhist king (also known as Royal Lama), Yeshe-Ö. Rinchen Zangpo,was the preceptor to King Yeshe-Ö and helped spread Yeshe-Ö’s empire through missionary activities. Rinchen Zangpo was the famous translator who translated Sanskrit Buddhist text into Tibetan.
The Purang-Guge kingdom controlled important trading routes across the Himalayas and painted the mountains that fell. During this time, the tabo monastery came into existence and was built as the daughter monastery of the Tholing Monastery in Ngari, western Tibet.
Painting and writing on the walls speak about the prevalent political, economic, and religious institutions of that time.
New Tabo monastery
Known as the Ajanta and Ellora of the Himalayas, tabo monastery consists of 9 temples and 23 chortens. Though the older monastery was destroyed in the earthquake of 1975, a new complex is built near the older site. One can visit both the older and new monastery.
In 1996, an important event took place when the Holiness, Dalai Lama, visited the tabo monastery on millennium celebrations and initiated the Kalachakra festival (a process of initiation and rejuvenation)
Currently, the entire monastery complex is home to 70 Bhuddist monks.
Credit: John Hill
Old tabo monastery
Golden Temple (gSer-khang)
Made of sand and clay, it was once said to be covered with gold. The older structure consists of many temples, among which the Golden Temple (gSer-khang) is the most notable. It was believed to have been renovated in the 16th century by Sengge Namgyal, a king of Ladakh.
Bodhisattva Maitreya Temple
The ancient temple is believed to have been built in the first 100 years of monastery construction. Initially a two storied temple the image of the Bodhisattva Maitreya over six metres (20 feet) high is a major attraction.
Temple of Dromton or Trom-ton Temple (Brom-ston Lha khang)
It was founded by Dromton In 1008-1064 CE, who was one of the main disciples of Atisha. The walls of the temple are painted with murals of the eight Medicine Buddhas. The life of Shakyamuni Buddha is beautifully painted at the base of the temple.
Credit: Rounak Alam
Tabo caves
Part of the Tabo monastery complex, these caves are scattered on the adjoining hill in Tabo village. Flags erected outside the cave are clearly visible from the monastery. There is a well defined trail that leads to the cave, but entry inside is restricted. It was believed that in the past, it was used by monks to meditate.
How to reach
Reaching and then exploring the Spiti Valley is itself a challenging task. The frequency of buses on the tabo-kaza route is very limited, so the best way is to take your private vehicle, however, if you don’t have the experience of such, then go for a private taxi.