Sera Monastery

Part of one of the great three Gelug University Monasteries, the Sera Monastery is a popular tourist destination based in Lhasa, Tibet, China. The other two being the Drepung Monastery and Ganden Monastery. The name Sera was given to the monastery, as it is built in a place surrounded by wild roses in bloom.

A counterpart of the Sera Monastery is situated in Karnataka. This was made after the exile of the 14th Dalai Lama in the year 1959. The original Sera Monastery is responsible for around 19 hermitages, which include four nunneries situated on the foothills of North Lhasa. The structure of the Sera Monastery is complex, as it houses three colleges and a Great Assembly Hall. These establishments were founded by Jamchen Chojey of Sakya Yeshe of Zel Gungtang (1355–1435), a disciple of Je Tsongkhapa in the year 1419.

The monastery in Lhasa is open all year and many tourists go there to see the architectural beauty of the establishment. However, the best time to visit the place is in the afternoon when the monks are engaged in debates in the special courtyards build for activities. The place is open from 09.00 am in the morning to 04.00 pm in the evening.