Dhankar

Dhankhar, Himachal Pradesh 172113 Phone: Not available

About

Dhankar monasteries: Dhankar is about 40 kms from Kaza in the direction of Peo. You can get there either by a taxi, which will take you all the way up the mountain to the monastery, or by the Himachal Pradesh Road Transport bus (leave at 7AM, return at 3PM from Shichling). The bus will drop you at the junction between Dhankar and Shichling villages. From the Shichling fork, you need to trek nearly 10 kms to get to the monastery by motorable road or by one of the numerous steep mountain trails. There are two gompas at Dhankar village, the much-famed, 1000 year old monastery hidden in the Spitian mountain rocks and the new Gompa, inaugurated recently by the Dalai Lama. The old monastery is literally tethering on the edge and the 60 monks who live in the Gompa are being relocated to the new Gompa until the restoration and reinforcement of the older Gompa is complete. Do visit both the Gomaps if you get a chance. The lamas at the older monastery are very helpful and the inquisitive little Dhankar boys will invariably be more than happy to show you around. If you have a chance to meet the head lama at Dhankar, make sure you grab the opportunity to see him.