Where is Tengboche Monastery?
The sacred monastery sits at an altitude of 3,867 meters (12,687 feet) and is one of the highest and most spectacular religious sites in the world. Tengboche Monastery is known for the stunning views of Mount Everest and its surrounding peaks making it a popular destination for both spiritual seekers and adventurous trekkers.
The monastery is located at the village of Tengboche which is situated at the ridge above the Dudh Koshi River. To reach the Tengboche Monastery visitors must first trek through the rugged terrain of the Himalayas passing through small villages and steep mountain trails. The trek to Tengboche Monastery is an experience in itself with breathtaking views for snow-capped peaks, deep valleys, and flowing rivers. The monastery is located in the remote and mountainous region of the globe, surrounded by some of the world’s tallest peaks.
Because of their remoteness, the monks at the Tengboche have been able to preserve their traditions and practices which date back to the monastery’s inception. Its position also offers a unique viewpoint at the natural world with breathtaking scenes of the Himalayan terrain and its diverse flora and fauna.
Tengboche Monastery History
The history of Tengboche Monastery is both interesting and ancient as it has worked as the crucial center for spirituality in the region for centuries. Despite facing numerous challenges over the years, the monastery has persevered and become one of the most significant cultural landmarks in the Khumbu region. Its impact on the cultural and spiritual life for local people and also people from other regions has been great.
The origins of Tengboche Monastery goes back to the early 20th century when Tibetan monk Lama Gulu went to be founded in 1916. Lama Gulu, well known for his Buddhist teachings and meditation, selected the site for the monastery due to its peaceful atmosphere and stunning vistas of the surrounding peaks. Initially, the monastery was a small establishment, housing only some monks. However, over time it grew and prospered, eventually becoming the largest and most important monastery in the Khumbu region during the 1950s era.. In 1934, an earthquake caused severe damage to Tengboche Monastery which was eventually reconstructed. Another significant event in its history occurred in 1989 when a fire broke out and destroyed the main monastery along with its valuable religious artifacts. Despite the devastation, the monks of Tengboche refused to be defeated and took on the arduous task of rebuilding the monastery from scratch. It was a massive undertaking that took almost a decade to complete. Finally, in 1999 the new monastery was finished and made in a grand ceremony which was attended by several thousands of people.
How To Reach Tengboche Monastery?
You can walk to Tengboche (Thyangboche) Monastery, or you can also get to Tengboche Monastery by helicopter, the latter is not advisable if you’re unfamiliar or do not acclimatize. There is also a helipad at Tengboche village. You may also be able to arrange a horse or mule towards your journey to Tengboche.
Many people walk from Namche Bazaar to Tengboche in one day. If you choose to do this, the Tengboche Hill climb, when you’re very tired, will be tough. Tengboche Hill normally takes us around 2 hours.
Why is Tengboche Monastery Famous for?
Tengboche Monastery is also known as Dawa Choling Gompa. It is one of the largest and one of the most important shrines in Nepal. Many followers of the Buddhist faith came to this place and they found peace and equal tranquility.
No doubt, the monastery celebrates many festivals, and among those festivals, Mani Rimdu is the most important one in the Sherpa Community.
Mani means “part of the chant of Chenrezig and Rimdu means “small red pills which are blessed during the festival.” The festival falls at the tenth lunar month of the Tibetan calendar, which falls at the autumn season. The tradition of this festival is passed unto Tengboche from the Rongbuk Monastery. This festival lasts for around 19 days and involves many ceremonies and meditation.
Weather and Temperature of Tengboche Monastery
In the Tengboche monastery which is situated at an altitude of 3687 meters, the climate remains cold most of the season. The lowest temperature falls down zero degrees with snowfall occurring in winter. The warmest month for the area is July with an average temperature of around 10 degrees Celsius.
Things to do Nearby Tengboche Monastery
There are several things that you could do while in the Tengboche Monastery. In the following lines, we will be exploring three such memorable places
Everest base camp helicopter tour
Mount Everest Helicopter Tour is one of the most popular and demanding tours among travelers who lack time to trek in the Everest region. Everest region also known as the Khumbu region is a popular trekking destination, it is a dream for adventure and challenging lovers from its varied landscape, nature, culture, religion, and lifestyle for Sherpa people
Everest helicopter tour will also help you discover the hidden treasure of the Khumbu region with all the famous surrounding mountains such as Mt. Lhotse, Mt. Nuptse, Mt. Cho Oyu, Mt. Ama Dablam, Khumbu Glacier, Mt. Everest, and many more including splendid terrains.
Everest base camp trek
The Everest Base Camp Trek in Nepal, also known as the EBC Trek, is the trekking package from Kathmandu, Nepal, to the Kala Patthar (5,545 m) and the base camp for the highest mountain in the world.
Adventurers worldwide also have this hike high on their bucket lists because it offers a magnificent close-up view of the tall Mount Everest, the world’s highest peak, from every sort of angle.
While some people climb Mount Everest to prove themselves against the odds and difficulties, others want to wander around the tallest peaks and enjoy the stunning views of peaks such as Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Pumori, and Ama Dablam.
Mani Rimdu Festival tour
This festival is the special and most significant festival at Tengboche Monastery. It is the festival of Buddhist Sherpa peoples and is held on the tenth Lunar month as per the Tibetan calendar. The festival is held in the autumn season around October – November month, at the time a large group of trekkers and climbers arrive at the Everest region. It believes that the red pills are blessed repeatedly and then distributed to all people present during the festival time. The religious festival is all about the ceremony for meditation which continues for nineteen days.
The festival is also a tradition passed down from the Rongbuk Monastery of Tibet. Rongbuk Monastery in Tibet which is near Everest base camp in the north part is considered to be the mother monastery of Tengboche. All the lamas from different monasteries will arrive there during the festival. They perform a special mask dance in the name of different gods and goddesses which they believe to subdue all the demons and evil forces. They also formally remove all old prayer flags and replace them with new ones.
