The Tibetan Monasteries Side of Manali

5/8/20242 min read

Most people know Manali for Mall Road, cafés, and crowded viewpoints.
But quietly woven into this valley is another world – one of prayer flags, soft chants, golden Buddhas, and slow, steady silence.

If you’ve ever wanted to experience the spiritual side of Manali, this is your gentle guide to the verified Tibetan–Buddhist monasteries you can actually visit in and around the town.

1️⃣ Gadhan Thekchhokling Gompa – The Heart of Tibetan Manali

Tucked just a short walk away from Mall Road, Gadhan Thekchhokling Gompa (often called Manali Gompa) is the spiritual heartbeat of Tibetan Manali. Built in the 1960s by Tibetan refugees, it’s as much a symbol of resilience as it is a place of worship. Incredible India+1

Step inside and you’ll find:

A serene prayer hall with a beautiful statue of Lord Buddha
Bright Tibetan murals and traditional chortens (stupas)
Rows of prayer wheels you can gently spin as you walk past
A soft hum of chants that seem to slow down your thoughts

Just outside the gompa, small stalls sell Tibetan handicrafts, carpets, woollens and artifacts, making it the perfect blend of culture, calm and colour. Tripadvisor+1

It’s the ideal first stop if you want to ease into Manali’s monastery circuit without leaving town.

2️⃣ Himalayan Nyingmapa Buddhist Temple – A Calm Corner Off Mall Road

A few lanes away, hidden just off the busy market square, sits the Himalayan Nyingmapa Buddhist Temple – a compact, pagoda-style monastery that feels like a secret sanctuary. Holidify+1

Things you’ll notice immediately:

The striking yellow–red structure in classic Tibetan style
A tall statue of Lord Buddha in meditative posture
Vivid wall paintings that depict scenes from Buddha’s life
A ring of prayer wheels circling the shrine

It’s small, but it’s powerful. Step in from the noise of Mall Road and you’ll instantly feel the contrast – chaos outside, stillness inside.
Many travellers stop here for just “five minutes” and end up sitting for much longer.

3️⃣ Dhakpo Shedrupling Monastery (Kais Monastery) – The Jewel of Kais Village

Drive a little further down the valley, towards Kais village near Kullu, and the vibe changes completely. Here stands Dhakpo Shedrupling Monastery, often simply called Kais Monastery – a wide, open, and incredibly peaceful complex overlooking the Beas River. Trawell.in +2Holidify+2

This monastery was inaugurated in 2005 by His Holiness the Dalai Lama and functions as both a spiritual centre and a Buddhist university/boarding school. Holidify+1

What makes it special:

A grand prayer hall with a large Buddha statue
Long stairway leading up to panoramic valley views
Monks studying, walking, and praying as part of their daily rhythm
A deep, enveloping quiet that feels very different from town monasteries

If you visit in August, you might even catch teachings by Dhakpo Rinpoche, which many travellers describe as a life-shifting experience. MakeMyTrip+1

This is where you go if you want to feel far from the tourist circuit and closer to something timeless.

🌄 How to Experience This Trail in a Day

You don’t need a rigid itinerary, but here’s a gentle flow you can suggest to your guests or readers:

Morning in Manali:
Start with Gadhan Thekchhokling Gompa or Himalayan Nyingmapa Temple. Sit through a short prayer, spin the prayer wheels, and just breathe.
Midday Cafés & Walks:
Explore the town, have a slow lunch, maybe sit by the river.
Afternoon Drive to Kais:
Head to Dhakpo Shedrupling Monastery in Kais. Climb the steps, watch the valley spread out below, and let the silence do its work.
Evening Back to a Quiet Stay:
Return to a peaceful orchard-side homestay, make yourself a hot drink, and let the day sink in.

It’s less of a “sightseeing checklist” and more of a soft spiritual reset.

🍵 Where to Stay for a Monastery-Themed Trip

To really feel this trail, your stay matters as much as your stops.

A small, quiet, orchard-side homestay away from Mall Road pairs perfectly with this monastery circuit. After a day of gompas, chants and prayer wheels, coming back to:

Apple trees outside your window
Softly lit, cozy rooms
Mountain silhouettes in the distance

…turns the whole journey into one continuous, gentle experience instead of just a day of “visits.”