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Tengboche Monastery: The Largest Monastery in the Khumbu Region of Nepal

Tengboche Monastery (Thyangboche or Dawa Choling Gompa) is a Tibetan Buddhist monastery in the Khumbu valley of eastern Nepal. Located at an altitude of 3,867 meters (12,687 ft), and en route to Everest Base Camp Trek, it is one of the most prominent and the largest monastery in the entire region. It is perched on a hill, at the confluence of Dudh Koshi and Imja Khola rivers, with Mt. Ama Dablam forming a stunning backdrop to the location. The site can be reached by a mountainous trail from Namche Bazaar, via Lukla airport connecting to Kathmandu.

History and Architecture

Tengboche Monastery, Established by Lama Gulu in 1916
Tengboche Monastery

Established by Lama Gulu in 1916, it was destroyed by an earthquake in 1934, and was subsequently rebuilt. Tragedy befell on the monastery again when it was engulfed by fire in 1989. It was re-established with the help of devoted volunteers from the area with international assistance. The resulting structure is a great work of stone masonry on display, complete with extended courtyard and spacious halls to facilitate religious rites and activities. Also located within its vicinity is a nunnery as Vajrayana Buddhism does not distinguish between sexes.

A Heritage within a Heritage

A heritage in its own right, Tengboche Monastery falls within the Sagarmatha National Park—a UNESCO World Heritage Site—immersed in a Himalayan panorama and offers a magnificent views of nearby summits of Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, and Thamserku. Not to mention this region is home to a wide range of Himalayan floras and faunas.

Tengboche Village, Elevation 3875 meters

Tengboche also forms the end point of “Sacred Sites Trail Project” a circular trek inside the park, passing clockwise through ten monasteries, caves, Hermitages and Nunneries, starting from Namche Bazaar and ending at Tengboche Monastery.

Know the way of the Sherpas

Tengboche is a central hub for insightful resource into the life of the Sherpas, who migrated from Tibet around six hundred years ago, and they constitute the primary indigenous people inhabiting the region, among others. Buddhist monasteries have always been paramount in unifying the Sherpas in their spiritual, economic and day to day life. And a visit to the monastery, which comprises the most important of the sacred places in the entire region, will only deepen the visitors’ understanding of Sherpa culture, their pride and traditions.

rishi-ram-bhantana-and-Kami-Rita-Sherpa-with-group-at-Tengboche-Monastery

The colorful Mani Rimdu Festival

Each year, Tengboche Monastery hosts the delightful Mani Rimdu Festival on the tenth lunar month of the Tibetan calendar, corresponding to the months of October-November, coinciding with the best trekking season in Nepal. It is a festival of religious rites, songs, dances, enactments of legends, and characterized by vibrant colors and noise that takes the center stage in one of the most spectacular settings.

Ritual of Mani Rimdu festival- in the Everest Region

Performed by local monks in traditional religious attire and masks, the dance symbolizes the victory of Buddhism over the ancient ‘Bon’ religion. This is an important event attended by the local Sherpa community. Many Sherpas travel a long journey to witness this event. As the festival is celebrated for nineteen days, you could witness or even participate in the events. Get to know more about what makes Mani Rimdu Festival unique, amongst other festivals in Nepal.

A must-visit establishment along the Everest trail

Tengboche During Night Time, A must visit place in the Everest Trail
Tengboche during night

As a leading Buddhist centre of spirituality and pilgrims in the area, with international media coverage in recent years, and of course lying conveniently midway to Everest Base Camp trek, the monastery has carved a niche of its own. Combine that with the rich culture and unspoilt traditions of the indigenous mountain people, and an opportunity to immerse yourself in the Himalayas of the Khumbu Nepal, Tengboche is surely a site that you can’t afford to miss if you are traveling anywhere near Everest.

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