Key Gompa (Key Monastery)

Key Monastery: A Tranquil Sanctuary in the Himalayas

Perched majestically atop a rocky hill in the Spiti Valley of Himachal Pradesh, Key Monastery stands as a beacon of spiritual solace amidst the rugged beauty of the Himalayan landscape. Dating back over a millennium, this ancient Buddhist monastery exudes an aura of timelessness and serenity.

Upon approaching the monastery, visitors are greeted by its striking whitewashed walls and distinct Tibetan architecture, offering a glimpse into centuries of rich history and tradition. Stepping inside, one is enveloped by a sense of tranquility, as the gentle chanting of monks and the scent of burning incense fill the air.

The monastery’s interior is adorned with vibrant murals, intricate thangka paintings, and ancient manuscripts, each telling a story of devotion and enlightenment. Exploring its labyrinthine corridors and prayer halls feels like embarking on a journey of self-discovery and spiritual reflection.

Key Monastery serves not only as a place of worship but also as a center for learning and contemplation. Visitors have the opportunity to engage with resident monks, participate in meditation sessions, and gain insights into the profound teachings of Tibetan Buddhism.

Beyond its spiritual significance, Key Monastery offers breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding Himalayan peaks and the meandering Spiti River below. Whether bathed in the golden light of sunrise or the soft hues of sunset, the monastery’s setting is nothing short of awe-inspiring.

A visit to Key Monastery is more than just a sightseeing excursion; it is a soul-stirring experience that leaves a lasting impression on all who venture to this remote corner of the world. In its hallowed halls, amidst the rugged grandeur of the Himalayas, one finds a sanctuary for the mind, body, and spirit.

No drone zone, scenic during sunset, the valley lights up and you can see the sunrays scrape the mountains, there is a trail right of the monastery, you will have a great view beyond the 3 buddha statues.

Historically, visiting monasteries has been a serene experience, but Kee Monastery is unique! There are so many monks here that you may converse to and you experience inner calm. Not to mention the breathtaking views this monastery has to offer. The monks also serve delicious traditional tea and are quite friendly. Best location or must-see location when in Kaza or Spiti. It is a lovely monastery, and the surroundings can be seen very well from here.
In the Spiti Valley of Himachal Pradesh, Lahaul and Spiti district, India, Kye Gompa is a Tibetan Buddhist monastery of the Gelugpa sect that is situated on top of a hill at an elevation of 4,166 meters above sea level, near to the Spiti River.

Very nice place for peace.
No entry fee & without waiting entry.
Food canteen available here.

Monasteries have always been a peaceful visit but Kee Monastery is something else! You feel inner peace of mind here, So many monks to talk to. Not forgetting the views that this monastery has to offer, absolutely amazing, the monk's offer traditional tea it's so tasty, very kind people and monk's

Monasteries have always been a peaceful visit but Kee Monastery is something else! So many monks to talk to. Not forgetting the views that this monastery has to offer, absolutely amazing!

It's looks very beautiful from that photographic point. It was some sort of auspicious day we arrived, it was full with the local people near and far of this and adjacent villages.

Such a history associated with it makes it a more interesting place to visit. The monastery has been through many eras. Beautifully located and provides a sense of peace. A must visit.

I really love visiting Key Monastery, as it gives me unexplainable peace and pleasure, I have been there 2 times and every time I visit this place I feel nostalgic about something which makes me feel I belong to this place, it is not a tourist place or any museum or picnic spot but a place to meditate, stay calm and serene as it is monastery where lama aka monks stay and try to connect with Lord Buddha

Peaceful place with outstanding weather.excellent arrangement for yoga and meditation.
This is situated in the spiti valley near to kaza village of himachal pradesh.

I visited here recently great place to visit but make sure when you will visit here once go through with your pluse rate oxygen level
And other health checkups.

Kye Gompa is said to have been founded, a pupil of the famous teacher, Atisha, in the 11th century. This may, however, refer to a now destroyed Kadampa monastery at the nearby village of Rangrik, which was probably destroyed in the 14th century when the Sakya sect rose to power with Mongol assistance.
Kye was attacked again by the Mongols during the 17th century, during the reign of the Fifth Dalai Lama, and became a Gelugpa establishment. In 1830, it was sacked again during the wars between Ladakh and Kulu. In 1841, it was severely damaged by the Dogra army under Ghulam Khan and Rahim Khan. Later that same year, it suffered more damage from a Sikhs. In the 1840s, it was ravaged by fire and, in 1975, a violent earthquake caused further damage which was repaired with the help of the Archaeological Survey of India and the State Public Works Department.

Cars can go up to the main gate of monestry, if don't want to climb please take your car to the main gate. Learned this on my second trip.

Kee gompa (monastery) has become a must stop in spiti (near kaza) & it is worth the hype! It is so peaceful and clean. When there definitely try the herbal tea (the monks prepare with a special plant that they get by behind the gigantic mountains behind the monastery).

Amazing place to visit. The monks are so
welcoming. They offer tea and snacks to
tourists. The views from the top of monastery
are amazing.

A must visit in Kaza.
Key Monastery is perched at a hill top, and looks like an out of the ordinary structure surrounded by barren mountains.

One is welcomed with a calm and serene environment.
We were unaware, but one could stay at the monastery for around Rs. 200 a night - would have been an amazing opportunity but we were hard pressed for time.

The top of the monastery allows a 180 degrees view of the amazing mountains, river along the side, and unseen landscapes!

Must visit if you're at Kaza or crossing via Kibber. The monastery has a scenic view of the valley, plus you'll find a lot of Buddhist cultural sculptures and writings. Monks here are super cool and will tell you interesting facts of you ask them:)

Loved it, oldest monastery. Interacted with the main priest, loved the conversation and simplicity

The meditation hall experience was awesome,
Which is still in original condition in caves, main temple is same as lots of monetary, but here you can see a lots off old hand written scripture,

But the toilet room is too much dirty, never expected this where some monks are living.

Good place feel peace if you go inside the monestry member of monestry are very friendly nature.but due to the height little bit feel the low level of oxygen.

Key Gomba is said to have been founded by Dromton (Brom-ston, 1008 1064. CE), a pupil of the famous teacher Atisha in the 11th century.this may however, refer to a now destroyed Kadampa monestary at the nearby village of Rangrik, which was probably destroyed in the 14th century when the Sakya sect rose to power with Mongol assistance. Key was attacked again by the Mongolis during the 17th century, during the reign of the fifth Dalai Lama and became a Gelukpa establishment. In 1820 it was sacked again during the wars between Ladhak and kullu. In 1841 it was severely damaged by the Dogra army under Ghulam Khan and Rahim Khan. Later that same year suffered more demage from a Sikh army. In the 1840s it was ravage by fire and, in 1975, a violent earthquack caused further damage which was repair with the help of the Archaeological

cy of India and the State Public Works Department, the Scessive trails of destruction and patch-up jobs have resulted a haphazard growth of box-like structures, and so the monestary looks like a fort. With temples built on top of one another. The walls of the monestary are covered with paintings and mural. It is an outstanding example of the 14th century monastic architecture, which developed as the result of the chinese influence. Key monestary has a collection of ancient murals and books of high aesthetic value and it enshrines Buddha images and idols, in the position of Dhyana. There are three floors; the first one is mainly underground and used for storage. One room, called the Tangyur is richly painted with murals. The ground floor has the beautifully decorated Assembly Hall and cells for many monks, Key Gompa now belongs to the Gelugpa sect. The monestary of Key, for instance, accommodates nearly 350 monks, who reside within the monestary. These monestary have their regular heads, or Abbots.

A celebration of its millennium was conducted in 2000 in the presence of the His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

TORISH DEPOKAZA

Road to Key monestary are good and there ample space for parking and then you have to buy 30 rs ticket and walk few km to reach three storeys key monestary but once you reach you are going to experience one of the oldest monestary being sustained with all old artifacts and bhudhist scripts and sculpture. You might be offered herbal tea by native monks and also you can sit there to learn about history and basic about bhuddism all as per your interest. One of the memorable monestary to visit. But yes no video graphy and no photos inside the premises please make sure about it.

Key Monastery dates back to 11th century and stands beautifully amidst mountains in Spiti Valley. Apart from exploring the pretty place, do try candies from the kitchen.

Kye Gompa is a Tibetan Buddhist monastery of the Gelugpa sect located on top of a hill at an altitude of 4,166 metres (13,668 ft) above sea level, close to the Spiti River, in the Spiti Valley of Himachal Pradesh,  Lahaul and Spiti district,  India. It is the largest and oldest monastery of the Spiti Valley and a religious training centre for lamas. It reportedly had 250 monks in 2021.

Must visit, people can meditate here with peace and the tea is awesome, u can trek here for real adventure,

Loved this place.take your time while exploring the nooks and corners of this mysterious gompa.you can also enjoy a cup of salted tea made by them while you visit this place.

The place is absolutely serene and a good place to take a short hike in order to get the instagram worthy shot of the monastery. The monastery is nestled on the hill and can be reached easily by a road. The monastery is very old and holds the beauty of a primitive culture hand down from generation to generation. A must visit place in Spiti.

Can not describe the beauty of it and peace you get inside. We even got free food inside at lunch time.stunning views meditation caves and buddha everything will stop you to stay there.

Most peaceful meditation caves I found in whole Spiti valley. Try to have extra time for meditation if you are visiting this monastery. Even if you have never meditated before, the energy here can make one calm and peaceful.

Standing atop a hill the monastery is beautiful in the ways of the old. Peaceful and with a sense, energy and mood that might put your mind to ease and you into meditative trance.

Kye Gompa (also spelled Ki, Key or Kee - pronounced like English key) is a Tibetan Buddhist monastery of the Gelugpa sect located on top of a hill at an altitude of 4,166 metres (13,668 ft) above sea level, close to the Spiti River, in the Spiti Valley of Himachal Pradesh, Lahaul and Spiti district, India.
It is the largest and oldest monastery of the Spiti Valley and a religious training centre for lamas. It reportedly had 100 monks in 1855.

It is about 12 km north of Kaza and 210 km from Manali by road.

HISTORY-
Kye Gompa is said to have been founded by Dromtön (Brom-ston, 1008-1064 CE), a pupil of the famous teacher, Atisha, in the 11th century. This may, however, refer to a now destroyed Kadampa monastery at the nearby village of Rangrik, which was probably destroyed in the 14th century when the Sakya sect rose to power with Mongol assistance.

Kye was attacked again by the Mongols during the 17th century, during the reign of the Fifth Dalai Lama, and became a Gelugpa establishment. In 1830, it was sacked again during the wars between Ladakh and Kulu. In 1841, it was severely damaged by the Dogra army under Ghulam Khan and Rahim Khan. Later that same year, it suffered more damage from a Sikhs. In the 1840s, it was ravaged by fire and, in 1975, a violent earthquake caused further damage which was repaired with the help of the Archaeological Survey of India and the State Public Works Department.

The walls of the monastery are covered with paintings and murals, an example of the 14th century monastic architecture, which developed as the result of Chinese influence.

Kye monastery has a collection of ancient murals and books, including Buddha images.

There are three floors, the first one is mainly underground and used for storage. One room, called the Tangyur is richly painted with murals. The ground floor has the beautifully decorated Assembly Hall and cells for many monks.

Kye Gompa now belongs to the Gelugpa sect, along with Tabo Monastery and Dhankar Gompa, one of three in Spiti.

The monastery of Kee, for instance, accommodates nearly 250 monks, who reside within the sacred walls throughout the year. Some monks go to South Indian Monasteries during winters, the rest of them stay inside the monastery walls. These monasteries have their regular heads; these heads are the reincarnations of Guru Rinpoche. The current head of Kee Monastery is from Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh. He is 19th birth of Guru Rinpoche.
A celebration of its millennium was conducted in 2000 in the presence of the Dalai Lama. A new Prayer Hall was inaugurated on 3 August 2000 by the Fourteenth Dalai Lama. It was presented through a tableau in the 69th Republic Day celebration held at Delhi.

In recent times the monastery has also hosted the "Kachen Dugyal Memorial Old Aged - Handicapped Society" which provide accommodation for a number of elderly and handicapped people.

This place is beautiful…
The monks here are so kind…
They welcome you with so much warmth…
Its worth a visit…
Do try the tea they offer, its great…
The best time to visit the place is around June-Sep is what they say since the place is more greener…then it eventually turns yellow around Sept-Oct…then turning white

I would like to suggest you visit this place either in morning or in evening and specially if you're planning to hitchhike. Key monestary open everyday from morning 6 to evening 6. It's 7-8km far from kaza no direct bus going to key gompa or key monestary you should book cab or hitchhike

Key Gompa is the oldest Buddhist monastery in the Spiti Valley and altitude of 4,166 metres above sea level, close to the Spiti River

Great atmosphere inside monastery and the tea they serve you is sooo good ️
By the time we went it was raining. That tea was perfect.

Dormitory is nit available. And private stay is very bad and not hygienic also food is not good. Monastery need there own stay.

Must visit if in kaza. There is a small trek near the monastry from where the monastry looks amazing.
The monastry is so beautifully situated. The only neg point I felt is there is no educational material or information provided. It's just visit and go back

One of the largest Monastery in India.
We also met with few Monks and they have shown us mediation cave and many other ancient places in Monastery.
They offered us welcome herbal tea which was very energetic drink.

Amazing experience in Spiti. Key monastery is around 30 minutes from Kaza and is one of the top places to visit here. You have a meditation room where you can spend some time and both new and old temples to visit in the monastery. To enjoy the views of the valley and the monastery, there is a trail nearby that takes around 10-15 minutes. Overall, I would suggest everyone to visit this place on their Spiti trip.

Located at an altitude of 13,668 ft close to spiti river in Lahaul. 11th century made the biggest monastery in spiti with amazing art work on the walls which you can't click (not allowed). The images of Gautam Buddha in meditation position are a must see. Invaded and rebuilt many times, it's a true example of human spirit of their beliefs!

A beautiful History becoming extinct to most of the people, this is one of the oldest Buddhist monastery founded in 11 century and is still standing tall after trails of destruction.