Upper Gompa

Situated in topmost point of a hill in Bomdila, Arunachal Pradesh Upper Gompa officially known as the Gontse Gaden Rabgyel Ling monastery is one of the most visited tourist attractions in the state. Established in the year 1965-1966, this stunning monastery reflects the culture and traditions associated with Buddhism.

Description:

Located at an elevation of 8500 feet on a steep hill at Bomdila village, in Western Kameng District of Arunachal Pradesh, Upper Gompa is the main and most visited part of the Gontse Gaden Rabgyel Ling monastery (GRL monastery). Apart from the Upper Gompa, the GRL monastery also has two other divisions namely the Lower Gompa and Middle Gompa. Dotted with lush green surroundings and bestowed with panoramic views of the town of Bomdila, Upper Gompa offers an unmatched peace of mind and calmness to the tourists.

History and architecture:

Built by the 12th reincarnate of Tsona Gontse Rinpoche, the GRL monastery is also recognized as one of the major centers of the Lamaistic faith of Mahayana Buddhism. The Upper Gompa of GRL monastery houses a school to provide education to the young monks along with a huge prayer hall and a beautiful Buddha temple. The main prayer hall was added to the Upper Gompa later by the 13th reincarnate of Tsona Gontse Rinpoche. The gompa premises also has residential quarters for the Buddhist Lamas and monks.

Known to be a replica of the Tsona Gontse Monastery in South Tibet, the main attraction of Upper Gompa is the large prayer wheel, set at a little distance from the prayer hall under a brick-and-mortar awning.
Adorned with Buddhism inspired art, paintings, wall hanging and featuring beautiful architecture, Upper Gompa is a true reflection of the rich Tibetan-Buddhist culture. Portraying various shades of life and ancient traditions of Buddhism, Upper Gompa is undoubtedly a prominent sightseeing point in Bomdila, Arunachal Pradesh.

Things to do:

• Wander amidst the beautiful monument and witness the colorful surroundings of the monastery.
• See the paintings, wall hangings adorning the walls of Upper Gompa.
• Awake your spiritual self, learn about Buddhism, its history and rich Tibetan traditions.
• Owing to its hilly terrain, Bomdila offers many hiking paths for adventure junkies.

How to reach?

Located in Bomdila village which is 276 km from Itnanagr, 155 km far from Tezpur and 183 km from Tawang, Upper Gompa can easily be reached by bus, taxi or private cab. .
• Air: The nearest airports are at Guwahati and Tezpur in Assam.
• Rail:The nearest railway station is Rangapara railway station in Assam (144 kilometers from Bomdila).

Best time to visit

The best time to visit Upper Gompa is during the summer and monsoon months, from April to October, when the weather is pleasant. Winters in Bomdila, from November to February, are harsh and quite chilly.

Nearby attractions

From orchards, wildlife to monasteries, there are several places to see in Bomdila. Following are some of the major attractions that you must include to your itinerary while visiting Upper Gompa in Bomdila.
• Lower Gompa
• Middle Gompa
• Bomdila viewpoint
• R.R hills
• Sessa Orchid Sanctuary
• Bomdila Monastery
• Apple orchards
• Craft Centre and Ethnographic museum
• Kameng elephant reserve

Surrounded by lush greenery and the snow-covered Himalayas, Upper Gompa monastery, Bomdila is a must-visit place while visiting Arunachal Pradesh. Book a tour package for Arunachal Pradesh and curate memories of a lifetime.