Key Monastery, Lahaul & Spiti

Monasteries are a great place for you to be if you are looking for serenity and peace of mind. And when the monastery is located in the beautiful region of Spiti, the beauty of the monastery doubles. And that’s what you get when you visit the Key Monastery, Spiti. This famous Buddhist monastery is located in Lahaul and Spiti and is at an altitude of around 4160 meters above the sea level. This monastery is as old as a thousand years and you can certainly experience the serenity of the place when you reach there.

Traveler Tips

There are some tips that travelers need to follow when they are visiting the Key Monastery in Spiti. You should be prepared to drive through the bad terrains and the bumps that would follow. The district is not very developed and does not have more than 2 ATMs. You can even get accommodation within the monastery if you notify the monks sometime before visiting there. They are really friendly people and their hospitality would surprise you.

History

The history of the Key Monastery dates back to the 11th century. It is believed that this monastery was constructed by Dromton. The monastery has experienced attacks by the Mongols even before the fifth Dalai Lama visited there. The Dogra army also attacked and devastated the monastery in 1841. Further, it got damaged when an earthquake hit the region in 1975. Over the years, the monastery has had a number of renovations which has made it the structure it is today.

Architecture

The primary structure of the Key Monastery has been rebuilt time and again due to the destruction caused to it structures by natural as well as man-made causes. Today, it looks nothing more than a box-like structure and gives the complete look of a war fortress rather than a monastery. The monastic architecture of this monastery is something that attracts tourists from near and far. There are a number of temples that are constructed one on top of the other. The entire complex has many murals and paintings that are a piece of art. There are three floors and many narrow passages leading to different rooms. Many rooms and cells are there to house the monks coming here. Tangyur is one such room in the monastery that gets special attention.

Festival

The Gustar Festival is one of the most popular festivals taking place at the Key Monastery. These people of the area indulge in Cham Dance and love to celebrate the spirit of victory of good over evil. It is celebrated around the month of July according to the lunar calendar. You can learn about it beforehand to know when the festival is being celebrated. The people dress up as demons and deities to enact the show of the good over evil. Many prayers are chanted by the people during the performance.

Best Time to Visit

Key Monastery is located in the high terrains of Spiti valley. It is not possible to visit the Spiti valley during the winter months as the roads get covered in snow. However, you can certainly visit during the summer months when the roads are open. The months between June and October are the best to visit here.

How to Reach

Located near the Spiti River in the Spiti Valley, it is not that easy to reach. This district is located at a distance of around 12 kilometers from the Kaza district. To reach Kaza, you can board a local HRTC bus that allows you to reach the region through the rough and tough terrains. It would be easy to reach Kaza from Manali via this route. Apart from that, the adventure seekers love to take their bikes or rented bikes or even cars to drive to Spiti. Once you have reached Spiti, Key Monastery is not far away. When the bus reaches Kaza, you can get a private vehicle to reach there.