Shashur Monastery: Blue Pine Monastery With Thangka Paintings
Shashur Monastery, also known as Shashur Gompa, is one of the oldest Buddhist teaching and religious gathering centres, dating back to the seventeenth century. The Shashur Monastery’s lamas belong to the Drukpa Buddhist sect.
The name Shashur Monastery refers to ‘blue pines’. This is due to the prevalence of Blue Pine around the monastery, which gives it a peaceful and quiet environment amidst the hills of Lahaul Valley.
The Shashur Monastery is famously known for its Thangka paintings, some of which stand more than fifteen feet tall, as well as wall murals depicting all 84 Buddhist deities. The Monastery’s doors are the main attraction since they are carved with Buddhist motifs and depict the rich architectural and cultural heritage of the Buddhist religion.
Discover this captivating monastery with the best Spiti Valley tour packages.
Places to visit near Shashur Monastery
Keylong
Keylong is a prominent place in Lahaul and Spiti and is the most convenient place to visit near Shashur Monastery. It is the district headquarters, and the only town with a large market to visit. Tourists may purchase some magnificent items & souvenirs crafted by the tribals.
Lahaul Spiti Tribal Museum
The Lahaul-Spiti Tribal Museum displays historic and traditional objects owned and utilised by the Tribals of Lahaul and Spiti in the past. The Shashur Monastery in Spiti Museum’s collection includes preserved plants, baskets, kitchenware, woollen products, manuscripts, pictures, stones, coins, paintings, and more.There are paintings in the museum that depict the living style of the Tribals. This is surely a must visit as it let’s the visitors have an experience into the lives of the Tribals of the valley.
Gondhala Fort
It’s a seven-story house with wooden staircases and a veranda at the top. It is based on the Kath-Kuni style of architecture.
Gondhala Fort was established around 300 years ago by the local Thakur and served as their place of residence. Although the buildings are currently uninhabited, they include antique furniture, costumes, weapons, statues, and other items. The ruin captures the fort’s antique essence.
Suggested Read:Visiting The Offbeat Places In Spiti Valley
5 Best things to do in Shashur Monastery
1. Explore the Monastery Doors
The carvings on the monastery’s entryway feature elaborate and lovely colour patterns based on Buddhist architecture.. These cravings are based on Buddhist teachings.This is the best thing to do in The Shashur Monastery.
2. Engage with Buddhists Monks
Engage with the monks on the Shashur Monastery in Lahaul premises to learn about Buddhists culture and customs. You would be shocked to learn that all serving lamas at Shashur Monastery are Bhutanese.
3. Participate in Festivities
If your visit coincides with one of the Shashur monastery’s Buddhist festival Tseshu then do not miss a chance to witness this exquisite and once in lifetime opportunity. These festivities include colourful ceremonies, cultural performances, and communal gatherings.
4. Trekking
Trekking is the ideal way to make your visit to the Shashur Monastery Lahaul more thrilling. The distance between Keylong and the Monastery is 3 kilometres. This is the most popular path among locals. You may ask for guidance from the locals on how to trek to the Monastery.
5. Explore Thangkas
There are several rooms within the Monastery that contain valuable thangkas, one of which is nearly fifteen feet long and is the major attraction of the Shashur Monastery. There are also well-preserved wall murals showing all 84 Mahasiddhas in Buddhism.
The best time to visit Shashur Monastery
The best time to visit the Monastery and the surrounding area of Spiti valley in June and July, during the summer months. The weather during this time period is best suited for exploring the Lahaul and Spiti valley.
The most ideal time to visit Shashu Monastery is around July. At this time of year, Chaam Festivals are held in Lahaul and Spiti. The festival’s major attraction is the monks’ performance of masked dances. The Lamas execute the Devil Dance while dressed in colourful costumes and masks of various birds and animals.This celebration is also known as the Tseshu festivities. This festival attracts crowds from all over the world.
Winter is not a good season to visit since the area is blanketed with snow and the roads become impassable.
How to reach Shashur Monastery
Keylong serves as the bus hub for Lahaul. Shashur Monastery Spiti is 5 kilometres from Keylong over a motorable road. Visitors to the Shashur Monastery can take the bus from Keylong to Shashur. Those who want to add an adventure aspect to their journey might take the 3 kilometre hike from Keylong to Shashur Monastery, which is the most popular route among the locals. The hike through the monastery offers the most fantastic views of the valley.
Places to stay near Shashur Monastery
There are no hotels around the Shahsur Monastery. However, there may be one or two homestays near the Shashur Monastery.The best choice is to stay at Keylong, which serves as the Lahaul and Spiti Valley headquarters. Tourists may find a variety of hotels in Spiti Valley and homestays in Keylong.
Suggested Read: Things to do in Spiti Valley
What is the historical significance of Shashur Monastery?
The Shashur Monastery, which is 17 centuries old, belongs to the Drukpa sect of Buddhism. The Monastery is an important religious gathering and educational centre. The Monastery is highly recognized for its Thangka paintings, some of which are taller than fifteen feet, as well as wall murals portraying all 84 deities of Buddhism.
When is the best time to visit Shashur Monastery, and are there any special events?
The best time to visit the Shashur Monastery is from April to September. During these months, the climate is moderate, making it ideal for exploring the Shashur Monastery and its surroundings. However, travellers may need woollen clothing at night. The Shashur Monastery hosts the Chaam Festival in June and July. The Monks put on special dance routines while dressed in colourful costumes and animal masks. This is the major attraction of the Shashur Monastery.
How can I reach Shashur Monastery, and what should I prepare for the visit?
The Shashur Monastery is about 5 kilometres from Keylong over a motorable road. Himachal tourism buses operate from Keylong to the Monastery. Tourists will have to keep track of the timing of the buses that they operate in. Those who want to go to the monastery can use the 3 kilometre hiking trail. But the hiking angle provides a spectacular picture of the valley and the gushing Bhaga river.
Are there any visitor guidelines or etiquette that should be followed at Shashur Monastery?
Tourists visiting the Shashur Monastery should be aware of a few guidelines to observe while on the monastery premises. The most essential thing is to dress correctly and respect the religious traditions of the Monastery. If visitors wish to photograph the Shashur Monastery, please get permission and respect their choice not to shoot the restricted areas of the Monastery.
