The peaceful and traditional Tibetan Buddhist Monastery is a lovely, bright space located close to the main market area in Sarnath. It was constructed in 1955 and is maintained by the Lhadhan Chotrul Monlam Chenmo Trust and has glass display cases filled with miniature buddhas.

The very sight of the Tibetan Monastery on the main road is exciting—two lions guard the very colourful and beautifully-designed entrance. Inside the large and open compound is a light pink stupa as a remembrance and gratitude by the Tibetans to the government of India for granting asylum to the fleeing Dalai Lama. It also denotes to pay tribute to all those who died in Tibet’s freedom struggle and those who continue to suffer oppression in Tibet.

The door of the monastery is painted in bright red and the walls are surrounded with beautiful frescoes of Buddhist deities. Inside, the central image is a colossal Sakyamuni, another form of Buddha. Sometimes it is possible for visitors to stay overnight at the Tibetan Monastery by paying a small donation; they have many rooms.