Ultimate Guide to Buddhist Monasteries in Pokhara
Buddhism in a Hindu Country
Although Lord Buddha was born in Lumbini, Nepal is still considered to be a Hindu majority country. But despite the fact that the religions are both fundamentally and culturally different, most Hindu Nepalis incorporate Buddhism into their own beliefs. While this does create peace and harmony among the two largest religions in the country, it makes it difficult to see either religion in their purest forms.
Throughout Nepal, you can often find Buddha seated at the lefthand of Lord Shiva. From ornate temple walls to being perched on top of gates. For those who know nothing about either religion, you’d think Buddhism and Hinduism were one and the same. But for those looking to truly experience authentic Buddhist teachings and culture in Nepal, you will have to do a little more digging.
Pokhara alone is home to four Tibetan refugee camps. When these Tibetans fled to Nepal they not only brought their families but also their religion. From Tibetan Buddhism to Nepal’s homegrown sects, you will find that even in Pokhara each Buddhist temple and monastery is affiliated with its very own branch. Although Pokhara is not known for its Buddhist gumbas (monasteries), wandering through these temples are sure to bring you closer to a different side of Nepal.
Wanting to hike to the World Peace Pagoda? Read on how to do it here!
Pema Dechan Ling
Although not an actual monastery, Pema Dechan Ling is an ornate Buddha statue tucked away into the jungle overlooking Lakeside. For most travelers strolling along the banks of the Fewa Lake, the beaming golden face of Buddha is hidden behind the many hotels and restaurants built into the side of the nearby hill.
While this small Buddhist shrine outside of Lakeside lacks some of the life that you many at one of the monasteries around Pokhara, it still provides a tranquil escape from the tourist traps and commercial streets below. You won’t quite get as high as a view from this statue than from the World Peace Pagoda, but you will still find your feet firmly planted to the ground while you stare out over the placid waters of Fewa Lake.
You won’t want to miss one of Nepal’s most famous Buddhist monasteires: Namo Buddha. Read more here!
Shree Urgen Choling Buddhist Monastery
Shree Urgen Choling Gumba is another Buddhist Monastery that can be easily hiked to from the bustling streets of Pokhara’s Lakeside. As you begin to ascend the mud and rock steps, the noise of the city will be lost behind the branches and leaves of the jungle. With a ying-yang symbol welcoming you to the monastery, you will find that this gumba is incredibly peaceful. With only around ten monks who call this temple home, you can relax in the garden with only the sound of the wind blowing through the trees to keep you company.
Shree Urgen Choling Monastery is not just a secluded gumba where monks can practice a simple life outside of the city, they also have opened their doors to tourists and locals for meditation classes. With its own guesthouse, travelers from around the world make this monastery their home for a few days as they calm the soul and get back in touch with the true meaning of life.
What to find more Buddhist monasteries? Check out Fo Guang Shan Monastery in Taiwan!
Matepani Buddhist Monastery
Arguably the most famous monastery in all of Pokhara, the Matepani Gumba is not only a popular weekend trip for families, but it has also been featured in several movies and music videos in Nepal. Despite Matepani’s popularity in Pokhara, you will find mainly local tourists rather than foreigners strolling the temple grounds. With over 50 monks living and studying at this temple, this gumba is the perfect place to witness the everyday life of the residents of the Matepani Monastery.
Perched on top of its hill 6 km from Lakeside, the Matepani Buddhist Monastery peeks out from above the waves of concrete houses that crash against its base. The colorful temple and intricate murals inside the grand hall are nothing short of breathtaking, but while circling the otherwise small temple it is the curious young monks who will truly make you feel welcome at the Matepani Gumba.
You can read more about Pokhara’s Matepani Monastery here!
Ramghat Gumba
Located not far away from the Matepani Monastery, the Ramghat Gumba can be considered well off of the beaten path. Despite being lesser known than its hilltop neighbor, the temple of the Ramghat Buddhist Monastery can compete with the most colorful of gumbas in Pokhara. What really sets the Ramghat Monastery apart from the rest of the Buddhist temples is its location overlooking the river and a wall of colorful lung ta (prayer flags) flapping on the hillside.
Like many of the other monasteries around Pokhara, the young monks will be more than willing to show you around the gumba. From the massive prayer wheel to the lush gardens of the gumba, the orange and red-clad children will not be ready for you to go as you begin heading to the gates of the Ramgaht Gumba.
Want to get off the beaten path in Kathmandu Valley? Be sure to check out Panauti!
Aani Buddhist Monastery
In the same neighborhood as both the Matepani and Ramghat Monasteries, the Aani Gumba is a newly constructed temple just off of Highway 4. For the time being, this monastery is still in the process of being built, therefore you will have the chance to view the intricate statues and carvings before they have been brought to life with a splash of color.
With the first level being decorated with bright yellows and blues and the top floors devoid of any color whatsoever, the current state of Aani Buddhist Monastery provides a unique look at a traditional gumba. Unlike some of the other monasteries in Pokhara, Aani has far fewer monks. You may see a flash of red as a person glides from building to building, but the chances of you striking up a conversation are far less likely.
You can find one of the holiest Hindu temples in the region just a few hours away from Pokhara. Read about Chhangchhangdi here!
Pema Ts’al Sakya Monastic Institute
In the outskirts of Pokhara, in a small suburb known as Hemja, you will find the largest Buddhist monastery in all of Pokhara: The Pema Ts’al Sakya Monastic Institute. Although the name sounds a bit formal, you will find far more eggshell-colored stupas, golden statues, and massive murals than any other gumba in all of Pokhara. Home to over 150 monks, this is one of the best places if you are looking to truly immerse yourself in Buddhist culture and religion.
For the young Buddhist students living at the Pema Ts’al Sakya Monastic Institute, it is almost like staying at a resort. Unlike many of the other monasteries you may have come across, this gumba also has its very own swimming pool which the monk children are quick to take a dip into when not having classes.
You can read more about the Pema Ts’al Sakya Monastic Institute here!
Jangchub Choeling Monastery
Located in the Tibetan Refugee Camp know as Tashi Palkhel in Hemja. Jangchub Choeling Monastery is located right next to the Pema Ts’al Sakya Monastic Institute. While the Grand Hall and temple grounds are quite simple, it is the Tibetan influence from the surrounding community that truly makes this Buddhist monastery special. Not to mention, you will also be blessed with a stunning view of the Annapurna Mountains on a clear day.
Other than all the Tibetan handicraft shops lining the outside wall of the Jangchub Choeling Monastery and the monks busy walking from classroom to prayer hall, what really makes this gumba unique is the fact that it has its very own coffee shop. Apparently the Buddhist monasteries cafe is meant mainly for the monks who are quick to grab a cappuccino before heading to the Grand Hall to pray to Buddha early in the morning.
Wanting to get more off the beaten path? Check out Tansen in Palpa!
Nayah Gayur Sannagh Chhyoeling
If you are looking to hike up to the summit of Sarangkot from Himja, you will pass the stunning Nayah Gayur Sannagh Monastery on your way up the steep slope. With its prayer flags waving overhead and towering ornate stupa, you may abandon your trip to the Sarangkot Tower altogether in order to spend more time exploring this unique gumba.
You won’t get any views of Lakeside, but you will be able to take in both the sprawling city of Pokhara and the Annapurna Mountains from the peaceful terrace in front of the grand hall. What really makes this monastery special is the young monks who will flock to you in order to practice their English. Leading you by the hand, they will show you all the prayer halls and viewpoints that offer a new perspective of the city of Pokhara.
Wanting great views of Pokhara? You can read about taking the bus to Sarangkot here!
Shang Gadhen Choekor
Located in the Tibetan refugee settlement of Paljorling in the heart of the city, this Buddhist Monastery in Pokhara is hidden in plain sight. Women in their traditional striped aprons can be seen walking from house to house in the large courtyard in the center of the community. And occasionally you will find a monk quickly receding into the Buddhist temple located in the heart of the settlement.
Although small, this newly constructed monastery is the easiest Buddhist temple in Pokhara to get to without having to climb any hills or mountains. From the roof of this gumba you will also be given views of the entire Tibetan settlement and parts of the surrounding Prithvi Chowk.
Dhe Chhen Ling Buddha Monastery
If you are heading back to Lakeside from Hemja, the Dhe Chhen Ling Buddha Monastery is located right where you have to change buses at Harichok. Although considered tiny compared to most of the other Buddhist gumbas on the list, Dhe Chhen Ling Buddha Monastery is one of the few places where you may run into some nuns in Pokhara.
While this monastery is not a nunnery, it does host visiting nuns who have made the trek to Pokhara from their remote gumbas hidden deep inside the gorgeous and unforgiving region of Mustang. While they are slowly going about cleaning the temple and preparing meals, the resident monks and nuns are more than willing to welcome you to their monastery.
Nepal isn’t just Buddhists and Hindus, read about Nepal’s Muslim population here!
Shree Gaden Dhargay-Ling Monastery
Just a small walk up the road from Pokhara’s famous Davi’s Falls, you will find the Tibetan Refugee Camp of Tashi Ling. In the heart of this Tibetan community lays the Shree Gaden Dargay-Ling Monastery. Much like how many refugee families packed up all their belongs and fled to Nepal, this Buddhist monastery too left its original home in what is now China and reopened its gumba in Pokhara.
Although quite small, Shree Gaden Dargay-Ling Monastery is also known to host visiting monks from places such as India during the summer months. What makes this temple truly different from the rest of the monasteries in Pokhara is the fact that it has its very own athletics field. After classes and daily prayers, many of the young monks and children from Tashi Ling can be seen joining together in the football field to play a quick pick-up game or practice for a competition.
You can read more about traveling to the Shree Gaden Dargay-Ling Monastery here!
Lords Buddha and Shiva
The lines between Buddhism and Hinduism are quite blurred in Nepal. Despite the fact that most Hindu Nepalis consider Buddha to part of their own religion, monks don’t quite share the same feeling. In terms of culture and theology, Buddhism is vastly different from Hinduism. Many of the monks in the monasteries also feel like there is a need to educate the population on what Buddhism truly is. The best way to start this journey is to visit one of the local gumbas and strike up a friendship with a monk.
There are tons of Buddhist monasteries throughout Pokhara, and not all of them have made our list. Nearly every street corner of Nepal you can find either a tapestry or statue that has been influenced by Buddhism. Temples like the Vishwo Shanti Gumba are a place of worship for local devotees, but not home to any monks or nuns.
Each and every one of the monasteries in Pokhara is unique. While you may find much of the same imagery and architecture at the gumbas, but it is the friendships and conversations with the people that truly make the experience something you will treasure for the rest of your life.
