Dechen Choekhor Buddhist Monastry — Attraction in Himachal Pradesh

Dechen Choekhor Mahavihara

Dechen Choekhor Mahavihara is a faith-based, non-profit organisation, dedicated to propagate the authentic living tradition of Tibetan Buddhism for the benefit of all beings.

The missions and visions of Dechen Choekhor Mahavihara is to preserve and promote the Tibetan cultures and traditions, and the sublime teachings of Lord Buddha in this part of world where its survival is under increasing pressures.

In ancient Tibet, the sacred Land of Snow, Druk Dechen Choekhorling is the historical mother monastery of great importance to Drukpa Kargyu Lineage and the seat of both Drukpa Choegon Rinpoche - an emanation of Vajrapani, and Drukpa Yongzin Rinpoche - an emanation of Manjushri for centuries, is currently being rebuilt in the beautiful pristine valley of Kullu, India. These two great masters are traditionally known as the "Chokzig Namnyi", which means "the two who possess the supreme view".

'De' means Bliss, 'Chen' means Great, 'Choe' means Dharma, 'Khor' means Abode - "Dharma Abode of Great Bliss" is what it denotes. Dechen Choekhor being the foremost seat of the Drukpa Kargyu Lineage in Tibet, was the cultural focal point for more than 300 monasteries that branched out from it in the 16th century, including Khamtrul Rinpoche's monastery - Khampagar  in Eastern Tibet; Hemis Monastery, Chemey Monastery and Korzog Monastery in Ladakh; and Dorzong Monastery of Tibet. Tsechu Monastery of Trulshik Adeu Rinpoche in Nangchen, Qinghai is a direct branch monastery of Khampagar..

Since its inception in 16th century, Dechen Choekhor, particularly the Lineage of Drukpa Choegon Rinpoches, has held the Lineage intact, pure and unbroken through their perseverance and diligent practices and preservation for over 500 years; and it remains as the main and respectable source for Buddhist learning and training to the Drukpa Kagyu till today.

Today, as the survival of the Tibetan culture and the religion grows ever more uncertain, the reconstruction of Dechen Choekhor Monastery is of dire importance. In the 16th century when it was originally founded, Dechen Choekhor was comparable to the great Buddhist universities of India, and to the great schools of theology and classical learning in the medieval Europe. Many students came from far and wide across the Himalayan regions to study at Dechen Choekhor because it was well known for its training of Lineage-Holding Rinpoches,...

Very beautiful place and peaceful. Cafeteria is very good. You can sit there and can enjoy the natural beauty sipping a cup of coffee or tea. The monastery is one of the best I have seen. As it is away from Manali and other tourist spots, there is very less crowd and it is actually very peaceful. The monastery has been built in a very beautiful way. Shooting of many films is done here.

Information about this place:

The Dechen Choekhor Mahavihara near Bhunter and Kais Gompa on the left bank of River Beas are two of the many monasteries that are being constructed in district Kullu Most of these new constructions are replica of ancient Tibetan monasteries which are now out of bounds to Tibetans. The mother monastery of this Mahaviahara lies in Tibet, the great Druk Choekhorling Gompa of Lhasa. The monastery is said to be built in the 16th Century. The construction of the temple started in 2000 and it took them nine years to complete the main temple complex. The student quarters and some other parts are still under construction. This is the only monastery that not only puts emphasis on conversing in Hindi but also includes learning courses in Hindi. The main temple complex consists of a gigantic statue of Shakyamuni Buddhha, and statues of Green Tara and Rinpoche Padamsambhava of equal magnitude. The Buddha statue is 31 feet tall, that’s five times my height. The statue of the Padamsambhava is...

Dechen Choekhor Buddhist Monastery is an absolute hidden gem that I stumbled upon while roaming around. This is one of the most beautiful monasteries I've ever seen, with stunning architecture and serene gardens. The atmosphere is incredibly peaceful, making it an ideal place for meditation and reflection.

The monks are very friendly and accommodating. They even opened the temple for us when it was closed, allowing us to experience its unique beauty up close. The gardens are picturesque and well-maintained, perfect for spending anywhere from half an hour to a whole day.

If you visit early in the morning, especially during winter, you can enjoy the sun before it hides behind the mountains. The monastery is located on a high hill, providing breathtaking views of the Beas River and the airport runway. The surrounding nature, with fruit trees like apple, apricot, and pear, adds to the charm.

A visit to Dechen Choekhor offers a unique glimpse into Buddhist practices and the life of monks. The place is clean, well-organized, and has a positive energy that calms the mind. Though it’s not a major tourist hotspot, it’s definitely worth the visit if you're in Kullu or Bhuntar. There's also a small cafe nearby, though the food is average.

Overall, Dechen Choekhor Buddhist Monastery is a must-visit for its beauty, tranquility, and spiritual ambiance. Highly...