Key Monastery , Barshaini
About Key Monastery
Key Monastery or Key Gompa is the biggest monastery in Spiti Valley and is dedicated to Tibetan Buddhism. At an altitude of 4,166 mts, this monastery is home to about 300 monks who receive their religious education here and is a splendid example of Chinese influenced monastic architecture. The Spiti River flows next to the monastery, when it is not frozen during winter months and the monastery is about 12 km from Kaza. The monastery has the facade of a fortress and is decorated with numerous paintings, murals and preserves several manuscripts.
Key Monastery has the distinction of being the oldest and the biggest in the Lahaul and Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh and a religious training center for Lamas.
Kye monastery is an outstanding example of the monastic architecture, which developed during the 14th century in the wake of the Chinese influence. The Mongols plundered the monastery in the middle of the 17th century. In the 19th century, it again suffered three brutal attacks. The successive trails of destruction and patch-up jobs have resulted in a haphazard growth of box-like structures, and the complex now resembles a defensive fort.
Location & Places to Visit on Key Monastery Map
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Places to Visit near Key Monastery
Kibber Monastery, Himachal Pradesh
1.6 km from Key Monastery - See map
Kibber village, located in Spiti Valley, is considered by many as the highest motorable village in the world. Located at an altitude of more than...
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Spiti, Himachal Pradesh
14.4 km from Key Monastery - See map
Spiti Valley is a place that would give a feel of a desert in the mountains. The headquarters of Spiti valley is Kaza. More famously called as...
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Kaza, Himachal Pradesh
15.1 km from Key Monastery - See map
Kaza, a hill station located in the exotic valley of Spiti is divided into two parts which is the Kaza Khas and Kaza Soma. Kaza Soma has all the...
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Deo Tibba, Himachal Pradesh
*37.4 km from Key Monastery - See map
Located at an altitude of 6006 meters, Deo Tibba is one of the highest peaks in the Pir Panjal range. It is also a popular trekking spot. The 6000...
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Great Himalayan National park, Himachal Pradesh
*38.8 km from Key Monastery - See map
Located in Kullu region of Himachal Pradesh state, Great Himalayan National Park (GHNP) is perched at an altitude ranging from 1500 to 6000...
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Hampta Pass, Himachal Pradesh
*38.9 km from Key Monastery - See map
Hampta Pass is the most ideal trek for first timers; it is not only easily accessible and easy to trek but is also simply breath-taking. You can...
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Dhankar, Himachal Pradesh
47.8 km from Key Monastery - See map
Dhankar Monastery built at highest location in Spiti Valley (3870m) in 17th century was once the capital of Spiti. Its is one of the...
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Tabo, Himachal Pradesh
62.6 km from Key Monastery - See map
Tabo is a small town in the Spiti valley famous for the Tabo Monastery. This ancient village is located on the banks of River Spiti is of greater...
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Kunzam Pass, Himachal Pradesh
80.1 km from Key Monastery - See map
Kunzam Pass located near Gamphu is considered as the source if Spiti river. It is higher than the Rohtang Pass but is easily accessible. Once on...
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Kailash Manimahesh, Himachal Pradesh
*80.6 km from Key Monastery - See map
This is the location of some famous bathing grounds. It’s the spot where many thousands of tourists come following the festival of...
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