Tawang Monastery - India's Largest Buddhist Monastery

Tawang, Arunachal PradeshRELIGIOUS

Explore the largest monastery in India, a 17th-century Tibetan Buddhist center with stunning architecture and a massive Buddha statue in Tawang.

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RELIGIOUS

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2-3 hours

Accessibility

Not Wheelchair Friendly

Parking

No Parking

Photography

No Photography

About the Destination

Overview

Tawang Monastery, also known as Gaden Namgyal Lhatse, stands on a hilltop overlooking the Tawang Chu valley. As the largest monastery in India and the second largest in the world, it functions as a small town for the resident monks. The entire complex is a fortified structure with residential buildings, a library, a museum, and the main temple. The main temple, the Dukhang, is a three-storied building that houses an impressive 8-meter tall gilded statue of Lord Buddha. Visitors can observe intricate murals and thangkas depicting Buddhist deities and teachings on the walls.

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Location & Address

Tawang Monastery, Tawang Town, Tawang District, Tawang Town, Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh, India

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Best Time to Visit

The best months to visit are from March to June and September to October. During these periods, the weather is pleasant with clear skies, offering great views of the mountains. Avoid the monsoon season from July to August due to heavy rainfall and the risk of landslides. Winter, from November to February, is extremely cold with heavy snowfall, which can be beautiful but often leads to road closures. Visiting in late January allows you to experience the Torgya festival.
Peak Crowd: May-June, September-October, and during the Torgya festival (January) - these periods have the best weather and attract maximum tourists.
Moderate Crowd: March-April, November - shoulder seasons with fewer tourists but colder weather.
Low Crowd: December-February due to extreme cold and snow, and July-August during heavy monsoons and potential landslides.

How to Reach

Air

The nearest operational airport is Salonibari Airport in Tezpur, Assam (approx. 330 km away). The journey from Tezpur to Tawang by road takes about 10-12 hours and requires an overnight stop. Another option is the Donyi Polo Airport in Itanagar (approx. 387 km). Taxis are available for hire from both airports.

Train

The nearest major railway station is Rangapara North Railway Station (RPAN) in Assam, about 383 km from Tawang. From the station, you must hire a private taxi or take a shared vehicle for the multi-day road journey to Tawang.

Road

Tawang is connected by a scenic but challenging road from Guwahati (approx. 500 km) and Tezpur (approx. 330 km). The journey involves crossing the high-altitude Sela Pass. It usually takes two days by car with an overnight halt at Dirang or Bomdila. Shared SUVs (Sumo/Bolero) and private taxis are the main modes of transport. An Inner Line Permit (ILP) is mandatory for Indian tourists to enter Arunachal Pradesh.

Local Transport

Within Tawang, local taxis are the only option for getting around. You can hire one for a fixed rate for local sightseeing, including the monastery. The monastery is a short drive or a steep 30-minute walk from the main town market.

Food & Dining

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