Tabo
| Summer: | 05° C – 20° C |
| Winter: | -20° C – 05° C |
Tabo is a small town in the Lahaul and Spiti district on the banks of the Spiti River, just 40 km from the border with Tibet. The town lies on the road between Rekong Peo and Kaza. Tabo was founded by King Yeshe Od of the Purang-Guge dynasty in West Tibet in the late 10th century CE. The king began a missionary campaign throughout his realm to invigorate Tibetan Buddhism. Perched at an elevation of around 3050 m above sea level, the town offers picturesque views to visitors and is surrounded by brown hills. The town surrounds a Buddhist monastery which, according to legend, is said to be over a thousand years old. His Holiness the Dalai Lama has expressed his desire to retire to Tabo, since he maintains that the Tabo Monastery is one of the holiest. Tabo's complex of 9 temples and cave shrines represents the oldest continuously functioning Buddhist enclave in India.
Tabo Monastery
The monastery is believed to be built around one thousand years ago and deemed as the largest royal complex in the Spiti Valley. Constructed in 996 A.D., this Spiti’s pride, is linked to an important era in the growth of Buddhism in Tibet. Tabo Monastery in Himachal Pradesh is known as the 'Ajanta of the Himalayas'. It was founded by Richen Zangpo and the monastery houses 9 temples and 23 chortens along with a monks’ chamber and a nuns' residence. Tabo Monastery plays an important role in preserving Indo-Tibetan Buddhist culture in the state. It sprawls over an approximate area of 6300 sq m which is environed by a mud brick boundary wall. The monastery is popularly known as the Tabo-Chos-Khor, which stands for the doctrinal circle. The paintings of the monastery can be traced back to the period between the 10th and the 11th century and depict scenes from various incidents and tales associated with the life of the Buddha. The priceless collection of statues is of great interest to tourists.