Dhankar Monastery, Himachal Pradesh, IndiaDhankar : Altitude - 3900 mtrs, 12,800 ft
Dhankar is a small detour on the way from Tabo to Kaza and is famous for a charming monastery.
It's perched up high on a cliff. I went mid morning and so not on time for prayer. The temple itself was closed and there wasn’t a lama in sight. But I found somebody who opened it for me. Stunning vistas everywhere that I wondered how you can devoutly meditate or study when you are amidst such beauty. Maybe when you live here, you take the beauty for granted and it just become ordinary.
This is half a fort and half a monastery. The history of the region over the last 300-400 years is that there have been innumerable wars and these monasteries have all been sacked. First it was the Dogras , then it was the Sikhs , then it was the Brits. Man seems to be capable of waging war even in the most inhospitable, desolate, but beautiful parts of the world. There were hardly any people here and there’s nothing of material wealth – so what are you fighting for ? I just can’t understand.
There’s a small café adjacent to the monastery. I sipped some hot tea while gazing into the mountains. Its easy to be moved when you are close to a place of worship, in such a splendid location.
USHA
2018-10-04
DHANKAR monastry looks like Tiger's nest in Bhutan. Did it have road access to the top or did you have to climb? Was the tea you had with Yak butter????
Sandhya Sriram
2018-10-04
It is rather intriguing how much the desire for wealth and power can spoil the very fabric of humanity. All brutality, all crimes... for what...!! How are the monasteries funded btw?
Suja
2018-10-04
A day of introspection for you? 'Man seems to be capable of waging war even in the most inhospitable, desolate, but beautiful parts of the world'- speaks of the darkness in men - and 'Its easy to be moved when you are close to a place of worship, in such a splendid location' - and the light. Are you content travelling alone? Would it have been companionable to sit and sip tea with a friend? I have travelled alone but only for about a week or so..I get lonely then.
Anne in Salem
2018-10-07
Sounds like a perfect location for considering such lofty topics. Again, I find the richness of the decoration in the temple to be such an welcome juxtaposition against the grey hillsides.
indigoite
2018-10-07
@Usha - Yes, something very similar. Many such places exist as they were also built as a means of defence.
indigoite
2018-10-07
@Sandhya - Monasteries seem to be low cost operations anyway and the culture in the community is to donate to keep them going. In addition the Tibetan group led by the Dalai lama tend to provide some funds and the government also helps .
indigoite
2018-10-07
@Suja - Oh - I love travelling alone and could do for a year. Of course, the times when I have travelled with others have also ben great, but there is a special charm to travelling on your own. Of course, its not for everybody, I do understand !
indigoite
2018-10-07
@Anne - Indeed so . Not sure about the "lofty", but such locales do encourage some introspection.
Vinod
2018-10-08
Wondering whats a common beverage up at that altitude, is it tea coffee or some other concoction.
indigoite
2018-10-08
@Vinod - Tea in various forms. The Tibetans drink salted tea with yak butter which is strictly an acquired taste ! Milk tea, lemon tea all abound.