Tucked into the slopes above Keylong, surrounded by whispering blue pine forests, the Shashur Monastery is a tranquil 17th-century Drukpa Kagyu gompa that blends spiritual depth, artistic brilliance, and Himalayan solitude. Its name, Shashur, literally means “in the blue pines”, and the setting lives up to the name—offering panoramic views of the Bhaga Valley and snow-capped peaks beyond.
🌄 Location & Accessibility
- Location: 5 km uphill from Keylong, Lahaul & Spiti district, Himachal Pradesh
- Altitude: ~3,200 meters above sea level
- How to Reach:
- By Road: From Manali via Atal Tunnel → Tandi → Keylong → Shashur (open May–October)
- By Trek: A scenic 3 km uphill trail from Keylong town
- By Rail: Nearest station – Joginder Nagar or Pathankot
- By Air: Bhuntar Airport (Kullu) or Gaggal Airport (Kangra)
🛕 Historical & Spiritual Significance
Founded in the 17th century by Lama Deva Gyatsho, a Bhutanese missionary of the Drukpa (Red Hat) sect, Shashur Monastery was envisioned as a center of Buddhist learning and meditation. It became a spiritual anchor for the region, attracting monks from Bhutan and Zanskar, and remains a living monastery to this day.
The monastery is known for its giant thangka paintings, some over 15 feet tall, and murals depicting the 84 Mahasiddhas—enlightened tantric masters of Vajrayana Buddhism.
🕉️ Deity & Worship
Shashur Monastery follows the Drukpa Kagyu (Red Hat) lineage of Tibetan Buddhism and is dedicated to Guru Padmasambhava (Guru Rinpoche), the great tantric master who spread Vajrayana Buddhism across the Himalayas. The main prayer hall houses large thangkas, including depictions of Padmasambhava, Vajradhara, and the 84 Mahasiddhas, who are venerated as enlightened masters of tantric wisdom.
Monks perform daily rituals of chanting, meditation, and butter lamp offerings, often accompanied by ritual music using horns, drums, and cymbals. Devotees offer khatas (white scarves) and light lamps seeking spiritual protection, inner clarity, and karmic purification. During the annual Tsechu Festival, the monastery becomes a vibrant stage for Cham dances, where masked monks invoke deities and retell cosmic battles between good and evil through sacred movement.
🏛️ Architectural Highlights
- Built in traditional Tibetan style, with sloped mud walls, wooden balconies, and multi-tiered roofs
- The main prayer hall features a colossal thangka, vibrant wall paintings, and statues of Padmasambhava, Vajradhara, and Tara
- A 6-foot prayer wheel, intricately carved and inscribed with mantras, spins beside the entrance
- The monastery offers breathtaking views of the Bhaga River and surrounding peaks
🎉 Festivals & Monastic Life
- Tsechu Festival (July):
- Celebrated with Cham dances—masked performances by monks symbolizing the triumph of good over evil
- Accompanied by ritual music, incense offerings, and community feasts
- Daily Prayers: Visitors are welcome to attend morning and evening chants
- Monastic Hospitality: Monks often offer tea and conversation, sharing insights into Buddhist philosophy and local traditions
🏞️ Nearby Attractions
- Kardang Monastery: The largest Drukpa gompa in Lahaul, across the Bhaga River
- Tandi Sangam: Confluence of Chandra and Bhaga rivers
- Keylong Market: A charming town with local crafts and cafes
- Baralacha La & Suraj Tal: High-altitude pass and glacial lake on the Leh–Manali route
🙏 Spiritual Experience
The Shashur Monastery is more than a destination—it’s a sanctuary of stillness, where pine-scented air, ancient chants, and snowy silence converge. Whether you trek up through the forest or drive along the winding road, the journey itself becomes a pilgrimage into peace.
