Difference between revisions of "Dhankar Gompa"
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[[File:Dhankar gompa, Spiti.jpg|thumb|250px|Dhankar gompa, Spiti]] | [[File:Dhankar gompa, Spiti.jpg|thumb|250px|Dhankar gompa, Spiti]] | ||
[[File:Prayer-flags-in-dhankar.jpg|thumb|250px|Prayer flags in Dhankar]] | [[File:Prayer-flags-in-dhankar.jpg|thumb|250px|Prayer flags in Dhankar]] | ||
| − | Dhankar Gompa (also [[Drangkhar]] or [[Dhangkar Gompa]]; Brang-mkhar or Grang-mkhar) is a Gompa, a [[Buddhist]] temple in the district of Lahaul and Spiti in [[India]]. It is situated at an elevation of 3,894 metres (12,774 feet) in the Spiti Valley between the towns of Kaza and Tabo. The complex is built on a 1000-foot (300-metre) high spur overlooking the confluence of the Spiti and Pin [[Rivers]] - one of the [[World]]'s most spectacular settings for a gompa. Dhang or dang means cliff, and kar or khar means fort. Hence Dhangkar means fort on a cliff. | + | [[Dhankar Gompa]] (also [[Drangkhar]] or [[Dhangkar Gompa]]; Brang-mkhar or Grang-mkhar) is a [[Gompa]], a [[Buddhist]] [[temple]] in the district of {{Wiki|Lahaul}} and {{Wiki|Spiti}} in [[India]]. It is situated at an elevation of 3,894 metres (12,774 feet) in the {{Wiki|Spiti}} Valley between the towns of Kaza and [[Tabo]]. The complex is built on a 1000-foot (300-metre) high spur overlooking the confluence of the {{Wiki|Spiti}} and Pin [[Rivers]] - one of the [[World]]'s most spectacular settings for a [[gompa]]. Dhang or dang means cliff, and kar or khar means fort. Hence Dhangkar means fort on a cliff. |
| − | Dhankar, like [[Key Monastery]] and [[Tangyud Monastery]] in Spiti, and Thiktse, [[Likir]] and Rangdum [[Monasteries]] in Ladakh, was built as a fort [[Monastery]] on the Central Tibetan pattern. It was reported to have had 90 [[Monks]] in 1855. | + | Dhankar, like [[Key Monastery]] and [[Tangyud Monastery]] in {{Wiki|Spiti}}, and Thiktse, [[Likir]] and [[Rangdum]] [[Monasteries]] in {{Wiki|Ladakh}}, was built as a fort [[Monastery]] on the Central [[Tibetan]] pattern. It was reported to have had 90 [[Monks]] in 1855. |
==Overview== | ==Overview== | ||
| − | Below the Gompa lies the small village of Shichilling which contains the new [[Dhankar Monastery]], home to about 150 [[Monks]] belonging to [[The Gelugpa School of Tibetan Buddhism]]. | + | Below the [[Gompa]] lies the small village of Shichilling which contains the new [[Dhankar Monastery]], [[home]] to about 150 [[Monks]] belonging to [[The Gelugpa School of Tibetan Buddhism]]. |
| − | Beyond the surrounding harsh, lunar landscape, notable sights at Dhankar Gompa include a statue of [[Vairochana]] (Dhayan [[Buddha]]) consisting of 4 figures seated back to back in addition to various crumbling thangkas. | + | Beyond the surrounding harsh, [[lunar]] landscape, notable sights at [[Dhankar Gompa]] include a statue of [[Vairochana]] (Dhayan [[Buddha]]) consisting of 4 figures seated back to back in addition to various crumbling [[thangkas]]. |
| − | There is a small museum in the gompa. In 2006, [[World]] Monuments Fund selected Dhankar gompa as one of the 100 most endangered sites in the [[World]]. A nonprofit group, Dhangkar Initiative, is attempting to organize its conservation. | + | There is a small museum in the [[gompa]]. In 2006, [[World]] Monuments Fund selected [[Dhankar gompa]] as one of the 100 most endangered sites in the [[World]]. A nonprofit group, Dhangkar Initiative, is attempting to organize its conservation. |
Dhankar is approachable by a motorable road, good for small vehicles only, that branches off for Dhankar from the main Kaza-Samdu road at a point around 24 km from Kaza. The branch road is 8 km in length up to Dhankar. | Dhankar is approachable by a motorable road, good for small vehicles only, that branches off for Dhankar from the main Kaza-Samdu road at a point around 24 km from Kaza. The branch road is 8 km in length up to Dhankar. | ||
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==History== | ==History== | ||
| − | Dhankar was the traditional capital of the Spiti Valley Kingdom during the 17th century and has some features dating back to the 12th century. It was the seat of the early rulers of Spiti, the Nonos, who had the Right to cultivate the government lands nearby and were required to keep the fort in repair. They also dispensed justice to the people and were noted for their harsh penalties until the British replaced them. | + | Dhankar was the [[traditional]] capital of the {{Wiki|Spiti}} Valley {{Wiki|Kingdom}} during the 17th century and has some features dating back to the 12th century. It was the seat of the early rulers of {{Wiki|Spiti}}, the Nonos, who had the Right to cultivate the government lands nearby and were required to keep the fort in repair. They also dispensed justice to the [[people]] and were noted for their harsh penalties until the {{Wiki|British}} replaced them. |
The [[Monastery]] is also referred to as Lha-'od-pai-dgon-pa: | The [[Monastery]] is also referred to as Lha-'od-pai-dgon-pa: | ||
| − | : "Lha-'od seems to be the local pronunciation of Zla-'od, the [[Name]] of a famous [[Lama]] who was born in 1121, according to the Reu-mig. Zla-'od-pa would then mean "a follower of Zla-'od." He is apparently the founder or renovator of the [[Monastery]] which now belongs to the [[Gelugpa]] [[Order]]. The [[Monks]] assert that it was not only of earlier origin than the [[Tabo Monastery]], but also earlier than Srong-btsan-sgam-po. They have, however, nothing to show of any really ancient [[Relics]]. They explain this fact by stating that the [[Monastery]] was plundered many Times, lastly during the Dōgrā [[War]],...." | + | : "Lha-'od seems to be the local pronunciation of Zla-'od, the [[Name]] of a famous [[Lama]] who was born in 1121, according to the Reu-mig. Zla-'od-pa would then mean "a follower of Zla-'od." He is apparently the founder or renovator of the [[Monastery]] which now belongs to the [[Gelugpa]] [[Order]]. The [[Monks]] assert that it was not only of earlier origin than the [[Tabo Monastery]], but also earlier than [[Srong-btsan-sgam-po]]. They have, however, nothing to show of any really {{Wiki|ancient}} [[Relics]]. They explain this fact by stating that the [[Monastery]] was plundered many Times, lastly during the Dōgrā [[War]],...." |
{{W}} | {{W}} | ||
Latest revision as of 20:38, 27 July 2014
Dhankar Gompa (also Drangkhar or Dhangkar Gompa; Brang-mkhar or Grang-mkhar) is a Gompa, a Buddhist temple in the district of Lahaul and Spiti in India. It is situated at an elevation of 3,894 metres (12,774 feet) in the Spiti Valley between the towns of Kaza and Tabo. The complex is built on a 1000-foot (300-metre) high spur overlooking the confluence of the Spiti and Pin Rivers - one of the World's most spectacular settings for a gompa. Dhang or dang means cliff, and kar or khar means fort. Hence Dhangkar means fort on a cliff.
Dhankar, like Key Monastery and Tangyud Monastery in Spiti, and Thiktse, Likir and Rangdum Monasteries in Ladakh, was built as a fort Monastery on the Central Tibetan pattern. It was reported to have had 90 Monks in 1855.
Overview
Below the Gompa lies the small village of Shichilling which contains the new Dhankar Monastery, home to about 150 Monks belonging to The Gelugpa School of Tibetan Buddhism.
Beyond the surrounding harsh, lunar landscape, notable sights at Dhankar Gompa include a statue of Vairochana (Dhayan Buddha) consisting of 4 figures seated back to back in addition to various crumbling thangkas.
There is a small museum in the gompa. In 2006, World Monuments Fund selected Dhankar gompa as one of the 100 most endangered sites in the World. A nonprofit group, Dhangkar Initiative, is attempting to organize its conservation.
Dhankar is approachable by a motorable road, good for small vehicles only, that branches off for Dhankar from the main Kaza-Samdu road at a point around 24 km from Kaza. The branch road is 8 km in length up to Dhankar.
History
Dhankar was the traditional capital of the Spiti Valley Kingdom during the 17th century and has some features dating back to the 12th century. It was the seat of the early rulers of Spiti, the Nonos, who had the Right to cultivate the government lands nearby and were required to keep the fort in repair. They also dispensed justice to the people and were noted for their harsh penalties until the British replaced them.
The Monastery is also referred to as Lha-'od-pai-dgon-pa:
- "Lha-'od seems to be the local pronunciation of Zla-'od, the Name of a famous Lama who was born in 1121, according to the Reu-mig. Zla-'od-pa would then mean "a follower of Zla-'od." He is apparently the founder or renovator of the Monastery which now belongs to the Gelugpa Order. The Monks assert that it was not only of earlier origin than the Tabo Monastery, but also earlier than Srong-btsan-sgam-po. They have, however, nothing to show of any really ancient Relics. They explain this fact by stating that the Monastery was plundered many Times, lastly during the Dōgrā War,...."
