Guru Ghantal Gompa

This monastery is situated on a hill above Tupchiling Monastery near Tandi Bridge at the confluence of the Chandra and Bhaga rivers. This 10th or 12th Century gompa is the oldest monastery in Lahaul and it lies close to the sacred Drilbu Ri Mountain. Although crumbling, this gompa contains ancient murals and beautiful statues of bodhisattvas.
The peculiar feature of the gompa is the wooden idols as distinguished from the clay idols found in other monasteries. This monastery has idols of Guru Padmasambhava, Brijeshwari Devi, Kali and other deities. There are various theories of establishment of this monastery; mainly the first one, that indicates it to be established by Guru Padmasambhava himself; the second theory says that Rinchen Zangpo is the founder of Guru Ghantal Gompa. Another belief indicates that a highly revered local lama, Guru Ghantapa, established this monastery.

In the old times, it was sacred to both Hindus and Buddhists. The hike to Guru Ghantal Gompa starts from Tupchiling Gompa, which is just a few minutes walk from the Tandi Bridge. It can be said to be a strenuous uphill climb of around 3 or 4 hours. It is better to ask the lamas at Tupchiling Gompa for keys of Guru Ghantal Monastery, as sometimes it may be closed. Tupchiling Gompa is a small monastery and is a branch of Guru Ghantal Gompa.