Top 10 Largest Monasteries in the World

By Archisha Yadav | August 28, 2024

Located in Arunachal Pradesh, Tawang Monastery is the largest in India. It is home to over 450 monks and plays a significant role in Tibetan Buddhism.

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Tawang Monastery, India

Founded in 1409 by Tsongkhapa, Ganden Monastery is one of the ‘great three’ Gelug university monasteries of Tibet. It is situated on Wangbur Mountain.

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Ganden Monastery, Tibet

Once the largest monastery in the world, Drepung Monastery is in Lhasa, Tibet. It was home to nearly 10,000 monks before the mid-20th century.

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Drepung Monastery, Tibet

Located in Shigatse, Tibet, Tashilhunpo Monastery is the traditional seat of the Panchen Lama. It has a vast collection of religious texts and relics.

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Tashilhunpo Monastery, Tibet

Labrang Monastery, located in Gansu, China, is one of the most important monasteries outside Tibet. It houses the largest number of monks among the Tibetan Buddhist monasteries.

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Labrang Monastery, China

Situated in Ladakh, Thiksey Monastery is a twelve-story complex that hosts many Buddhist relics. It's known for its resemblance to the Potala Palace in Lhasa.

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Thiksey Monastery, India

Rongbuk Monastery, located near the base of Mount Everest in Tibet, is the highest monastery in the world. It offers stunning views of Everest and is a place of spiritual significance.

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Rongbuk Monastery, Tibet

Hemis Monastery in Ladakh, India, is known for its annual Hemis festival. It is one of the largest and wealthiest monasteries in Ladakh.

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Hemis Monastery, India

Located in Nepal, Shechen Monastery is one of the six primary monasteries of the Nyingma tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. It is renowned for its beautiful murals and spiritual teachings.

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Shechen Monastery, Nepal

Located at the foot of Mount Sinai, St. Catherine's Monastery is one of the oldest Christian monasteries in the world. It has a vast collection of ancient manuscripts.

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St. Catherine's Monastery, Egypt