Dankhar Gompa Buddhist Monastery

Distance : 7 km from Attergu
Altitude : 3,890m

The Dankhar Gompa was built nearly a thousand years ago. It was once the site of the capital of Spiti, and later – believe it or not – a jail.
The gompa has more than 150 resident lamas. Some outstanding thangkas, sculptures, frescoes and a statue of DhyanBuddha (Thinking Buddha) are housed in the gompa.
A part of the gompa was destroyed during a particularly severe winter in 1989. Herbs growing around here are said to cure lung and heart complaints.
The highest temple has a collection of Bhotia Buddhist scriptures and interesting murals of Medicine Buddhas and protector deities.


¤ Transport

There’s an irregular bus service from Kaza to Scihiling, from where it is a long 8km trek to the gompa. If you’re lucky, you might catch the daily bus from Scihiling to Dankhar. You can get return taxis from Kaza.