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.
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