Litang Temple

Litang Temple, Ganden Thubchen Choekhorling Monastery, or Lithang Gompa is located in the northern edge of Litang County, Garzê Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province. Known as "the Buddhist Shrine in South Kham", the temple is the oldest and largest monastery of the Gelukpa sect (yellow sect) of Tibetan Buddhists in Kham Area. It was founded in 1580 by the third Dalai Lama Sonam Gyatso on the site of an older Bön-monastery, covers an area of over 333,333 square meters. The temple has accommodations for more than 4,300 monks. There are about 2,000 permanent monks at present.  

Litang Temple, Sichuan

 Litang Temple houses various treasures, including many gilded bronze statues, old Buddhist scriptures, Buddhist musical instruments, consummate carvings, numerous historical documents, saddle of the third Dalai Lama, beautiful murals of the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties and other precious relics. Every year, the temple holds many religious activities, including sorcerers' dancing fair, scriptures debating, Mountain strolling fair, unfolding the giant Buddha portrait, and Butter Flower Fair (the 15th day of the 1st month in Tibetan lunar calendar). 

Lamas in Ganden Thubchen Choekhorling Monastery Courtyard

There are three main temples in the compound of Litang Temple, of which one was newly-built. The oldest is on top of the hill, still featuring the wooden construction of the upper rim of the buildings. Inside, you can view several chambers and a bedroom in which the 7th Dalai Lama is said to have resided. Many more famous and influential personal figures were born here, including the 7th Dalai Lama, 10th Dalai Lama, the most influential Zebutsundaba Lama of Mogonia, the 7th Gyamuyang Lama, the 7th, 8th and 9th Pabalha living Buddha of Chamdo monastery and the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Xianggen living Buddha.

Ganden Thubchen Choekhorling Monastery, Litang, Sichuan


Ask Question


Recommended China Tour Packages

Share to