Guru Ghantal Gompa

Guru Ghantal Gompa is one of the oldest monasteries in the Lahaul valley, located about 4 kilometres from Keylong near the confluence of the Chandra and Bhaga rivers. The gompa belongs to the Nyingma school of Tibetan Buddhism — the oldest school, associated with Guru Padmasambhava — and preserves a character quite distinct from the more recently established Gelugpa and Kagyu monasteries nearby.

The monastery is relatively small but historically significant, with clay statues and murals that date back many centuries. The caretaker monk is usually on hand to open the main shrine room for visitors. The walk along the river confluence to get here passes through some of the most attractive valley scenery near Keylong.

things to do sight
A story
Guru Ghantal is reputedly the oldest monastery in Lahaul, said to have been established by Guru Padmasambhava — the legendary 8th-century master who brought Tantric Buddhism from India into Tibet. Whether or not the founding claim is accurate, the site has an atmosphere of genuine antiquity: parts of the structure date to at least the 10th century, and the clay images inside look as old as anything in the valley.