Heritage Retreats: A Journey Through India’s Oldest Monasteries

Hemis Monastery in Ladakh, founded in the early 11th century, is one of India's oldest Tibetan Buddhist monasteries and belongs to the Drukpa Kagyu school

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Kibber Monastery, founded in the 11th century, is one of the world's highest monasteries, perched over 14,000 feet in Himachal Pradesh's Spiti Valley

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Thiksey Monastery, founded in the 15th century, is one of Ladakh’s largest gompas and offers stunning views from its hilltop location

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Diskit Monastery, founded in the 14th century in Nubra Valley, is a key Gelug school center, famous for its 100-foot-tall Maitreya Buddha statue

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Sa-Ngor Monastery, founded in the 16th century in Gangtok, Sikkim, is affiliated with the Sakya school and renowned for its stunning Tibetan art

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Rumtek Monastery, near Gangtok and founded in the 16th century by the 9th Karmapa, Wangchuk Dorje, is a key Kagyu school monastery

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