Trust behind 16-metre Buddhist statue ‘monstrosity' invites neighbours to join it in ‘Garden of Peace'
'Peace begins with you and me,' said the statue's builders
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India.com
7 minutes ago
- India.com
Looking For Inner Peace? These 7 Buddhist Monasteries In India Are Calling You
When you step into a Buddhist monastery in India something shifts. The world slows. The chatter fades. And beneath the everyday noise you find calm halls, silent courtyards and ancient chants that feel alive. Most travelers head straight to famous temples in Bodh Gaya or the Dalai Lama's temple in Dharamshala. But what if we told you it's time to go off the beaten path? It's time to explore monasteries that whisper stories of peace, learning and inner journeys. What makes a Buddhist monastery different from a simple temple? It's not just the statues or the prayer wheels. It's the life that thrives within its walls. Monks study in simple rooms, ceremony bells ring at dawn, and every stone seems to hold a lesson. In these sacred spaces you do more than look around. You listen. You breathe. And you remember why travel is about more than selfies. Tired of the usual spots? These seven monasteries in India offer a chance to look deeper into Buddhist culture and practice. They are places where chants echo in stone corridors, where tea with monks feels like a lesson in kindness, and where the very air seems to carry a promise of calm. Monastery – Arunachal Pradesh At over 3 000 meters above sea level, Tawang Monastery is the largest in India and the second largest in the world. Its white walls and red roofs glow against blue skies and snow-capped peaks. Here you might catch a glimpse of young monks practicing debate or join simple offerings of butter lamps. Don't miss the small museum that holds ancient thangkas and relics. Early mornings are best for watching the sun light up golden prayer wheels. Monastery – Sikkim Just outside Gangtok, Rumtek stands on a green hill with views of the Alps of Sikkim. It is the seat of the Karmapa lineage and filled with richly painted shrines. Inside you'll find monks chanting in low voices and the scent of incense drifting through wide halls. Visit the shrine room, where a giant golden Buddha presides, and pause in the gardens to watch prayer flags dance in the breeze. Monastery – Ladakh Hidden in a deep valley near Leh, Hemis is famous for its annual dance festival that honors Padmasambhava. Bright masks, swirling robes and thunderous drums fill the courtyard with ancient power. Outside festival time, Hemis is quiet and almost empty. You can walk along apple orchards and learn about the monastery's art studio, where monks create new thangkas by hand. Monastery – Ladakh Built like a castle on a hill, Thiksey offers one of the most dramatic views of any monastery in India. Its ten-story complex houses a giant Maitreya Buddha statue and simple rooms where monks study philosophy. Take time to sip butter tea in the small café run by nuns and watch the soft light fill prayer halls lined with colorful murals. Buddhist Monastery – Mcleod Ganj, Himachal Pradesh Often called Little Lhasa, this bustling hillside monastery is where the Dalai Lama made his home in exile. Every morning monks in red robes stream up the steps for teachings in the main temple. You might join a public talk or explore the workshops where refugees craft prayer wheels and jewelry. The mix of Tibetan prayer flags and green pine forests feels like a bridge between two worlds. Monastery – Sikkim Pemayangtse means 'Perfect Sublime Lotus,' and the name fits. Founded in the 17th century, it presides over a sacred valley with views of Mount Kanchenjunga. Here the walls are covered in vivid frescoes of deities and saints. You can watch butter lamp ceremonies at dusk and then wander the terraced fields below to see farmers tending their terraces. Monastery – Gangtok, Sikkim Perched on a ridge above Gangtok town, Enchey is small yet spirited. It hosts mask dances during the annual Chaam festival and welcomes visitors to its quiet courtyard. Chanting echoes from simple halls painted in deep reds and blues. From the courtyard you look down at Gangtok's rooftops and up at the mountains beyond—a reminder that peace lives between earth and sky. Why Explore These Monasteries Beyond the Guidebook It's not just about beautiful buildings or photo ops. Visiting lesser-known monasteries shines light on local monks, artisans and teachers who keep age-old traditions alive. You support small shops selling handmade butter lamps and rice bowls. You help maintain quiet study rooms that cost little but mean much to those who live there. And you give yourself a chance to find calm in a fast world. Practical Tips for Your Monastery Visits Dress RespectfullyWear modest clothes that cover shoulders and knees. Remove shoes before entering prayer halls. Carry a Scarf or ShawlA simple wrap can help you feel comfortable in drafty halls and show respect when joining ceremonies. Learn a Few PhrasesA polite 'Tashi Delek' (good luck) or 'Jamyang' (thank you) in Tibetan or local language brings smiles. Pack Light SnacksSimple biscuits or fruit help you stay energized during long drives between remote monasteries. Start EarlyMany monasteries hold first chants at dawn. Early visits are uncrowded and filled with morning light. Ask Before PhotographingSome rituals are private. Always ask for permission and use a quiet camera mode. Stay MindfulMonasteries are living homes. Keep voices low, follow signs, and let the hush guide you. Final Thought These top seven Buddhist monasteries in India invite you to wander beyond the usual temples. They ask you to slow down, listen and learn in places where every stone and prayer flag holds a story. The next time you seek more than sightseeing—when you crave a deeper rhythm—turn your compass toward these hidden hearts of peace. Because travel isn't just about reaching a place. It's about stepping into a story that stays with you long after you leave.
Time of India
27 minutes ago
- Time of India
The Quiet Power Of Friendship
The kind of world we live in is greatly influenced by whether or not we have good friends . Close friends can make even the most trying circumstances bearable, while loneliness can make even the smallest pain worse. Human connections are treasured in the Buddhist worldview, and friendship is seen as more than just a means of having fun; it is an essential force that influences our own spiritual growth or human revolution and our journey towards happiness and enlightenment. Ananda, a disciple of Gautama Buddha , once shared with him, "It seems to me that by having good friends and advancing together with them, one has already halfway attained the Buddha way." Gautama corrected him gently but firmly: "Ananda, this way of thinking is not correct. Having good friends and advancing together with them is not half the Buddha way but all the Buddha way." The core of Buddhist practice is revealed in this powerful statement: the presence of genuine, sincere and supportive friends fosters life's progress. How do we create genuine friendships in a world where many people feel isolated even though they are connected digitally? The answer lies in taking the courageous first step to reach out, listen earnestly, and believe in the inherent worth of those around us. Deep bonds of trust that cut across age, background, and status can be created by simply opening our hearts to others without hesitation or fear of criticism and listening to the perspectives of those around us. Genuine friendship takes work. It entails caring about other people's happiness, supporting them even when it's inconvenient, and sharing both their joys and their sorrows. Walking the path of the Bodhisattva - a person devoted to the happiness of others - means caring deeply, acting with trustworthiness, and never giving up on people around us. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Libas Purple Days Sale Libas Undo Buddhism refers to these people who support, encourage, and stand by us as 'good friends'. Having such good friends is important but so is becoming one ourselves. It is important to keep asking ourselves these questions: How can we foster growth in those around us? How can we make our homes, workplaces, and communities places of warmth and trust? My mentor Daisaku Ikeda once wrote, "Peace is not some abstraction far beyond our reach. It begins with creating a circle of trust and friendship right where we are. As each of these circles expands to include more people, global peace will be realised." These words remind us that friendly conversation is the first step towards social reform , peacebuilding , and enduring harmony. In its purest form, friendship is a spiritual endeavour. It is the practice of showing compassion in our day-to-day interactions and greeting people with warmth and respect. By becoming aware of our everyday interactions in this way, we begin to change not only our own lives but also the structure of society. By being our best selves with others, we can help bring out the best in them. The future is not built by individuals walking alone. It is created by individuals who journey through life together as friends, companions, and fellow seekers. Authored by: Minoru Harada The writer is president, Soka Gakkai, a global community-based Buddhist organisation Deepen your understanding of the Bhagavad Gita: Explore chapter 2 with Sri Gaur Prabhu's guidance
India.com
2 hours ago
- India.com
Like In A Bollywood Action Scene: 5 Most Dangerous Hikes Around Leh You Won't Forget
Adventure doesn't ask for comfort. It asks for if there's one place in India that demands it and rewards it — it's Leh. Here, the mountains aren't just part of the scenery. They are the stage, the story, and the silence between each breath. Forget manicured picnic spots or touristy view decks. Around Leh, the trails are wild. Raw. Brutally beautiful. Most visitors come to take selfies at Magnetic Hill or stroll through Leh Market. But what if we told you — real adventure lives higher up? Beyond phone signals, past paved roads, on trails where the air is thin and every step feels like a heartbeat? This isn't for the faint-hearted. These trails are for those who seek more than Instagram. They're for those who want to feel the land underfoot, the sky pressing closer, and their own limits stretching at every turn. Let's walk the wild edges of Ladakh. Carefully. 1. Chadar Trek – The Frozen River That Tests Your Soul It's not just a trek. It's an experience that feels like walking through another world. The Chadar Trek follows the frozen Zanskar River in winter — a sheet of ice winding through narrow gorges. With walls rising hundreds of feet on either side and ice cracking beneath your feet, the thrill is real. What makes it dangerous: The temperature can drop to -30°C. The ice is unpredictable. One wrong step, and you're in the water. What makes it worth it: Silence like nowhere else. A frozen world where your own breath sounds loud. And the feeling that you've done something few dare to try. This isn't a hike. It's a whisper from winter — asking if you're listening. 2. Stok Kangri Trek – Where the Sky Begins Stok Kangri was once considered India's easiest 6000-meter peak. Don't let that fool you. Altitude sickness, glacier crossings, and scree slopes make it dangerous even for experienced trekkers. The summit push is steep, icy, and often in the dark. What makes it dangerous: The height — at over 20,000 ft — can play with your lungs and your mind. What makes it unforgettable: Sunrise from the summit, watching shadows stretch across the Himalayas. Every painful step earns you one of the best views on Earth. Stok doesn't just challenge your legs. It questions your will. 3. Markha Valley Trek – Beauty That Doesn't Hold Back Don't be fooled by the green villages and Buddhist flags. The Markha Valley is stunning, but it makes you work for it. The trail goes through waist-deep river crossings, narrow ridges, and long stretches with no shelter. It's hot in the day, freezing at night, and oxygen is always in short supply. What makes it dangerous: River crossings after snowmelt can sweep you off your feet. Long days with no water sources test your endurance. What makes it special: The contrast. Desert mountains, lush fields, ancient monasteries — all stitched together by the trail under your boots. This is Ladakhi wilderness with a spiritual heartbeat. 4. Kang Yatse II – For the Brave Who Want More If Stok Kangri is closed (which it often is now), Kang Yatse II has become the new test for trekkers in Ladakh. This climb combines long glacier walks, crevasse navigation, and a steep final summit section. And there's the always-present risk of altitude sickness at 6250 meters. What makes it dangerous: Unpredictable snow. Deep crevasses. And no fixed ropes unless you carry them. What makes it thrilling: Fewer crowds. A quieter route. And views that stretch across endless Himalayan peaks. Kang Yatse II doesn't hand you adventure. You earn every moment of it. 5. Mentok Kangri Trek – The Hidden Beast Above Tso Moriri This one's lesser known. And more brutal. Mentok Kangri is a group of peaks near the beautiful Tso Moriri Lake. The trek is remote, high-altitude, and demanding. Most of the time, you're walking above 5000 meters. And yet, it doesn't get the attention it deserves. What makes it dangerous: Altitude fatigue hits early. The trails are not marked. Weather turns fast. And help is far away. What makes it worth it: You get solitude like nowhere else. Just you, the wind, and a view that feels like the top of the world. Mentok Kangri is where courage meets calm. Why take dangerous trails near Leh? Why not just stick to monasteries and markets? Because these trails teach you things the city never can. They strip away your expectations. They slow you down. They humble no Google Map here. No shortcut. No the sound of your own breath. And maybe — if you're lucky — the wind telling you a secret. These trails are not about conquering nature. They're about letting nature strip away your ego. How to Trail Safely in Leh's High Altitudes 1. Acclimatize like your life depends on itBecause it does. Spend 2–3 days in Leh before you trek anywhere higher. 2. Go with a guide or a certified operatorThese are not DIY treks unless you're highly experienced. 3. Pack light but smartCarry layers. Gloves. Sunglasses. Sunscreen. And most of all — water. 4. Listen to your bodyHeadaches, nausea, or breathlessness? Stop. Descend. Rest. 5. Respect the landThese are sacred landscapes. Carry your waste back. And don't leave footprints where prayer flags fly. Final Word: Leh is not a playground. It's a pilgrimage. Walking these trails is more than a physical journey—it's a passage through time, earth, and deep silence. Yes, it's tough and risky, but the reward isn't fame or photos—it's the lasting change within you. So when you plan your trip to Leh, don't just book a stay. Choose a path that pushes you, challenges you, and helps you grow. Because real adventure may not be easy, but it's always worth it.
