Monasteries and shrines · Nathang Valley
Butter lamps at the Gnathang gumpa
A quiet visit to Gnathang Gadenchoeling Gumpa, the small Buddhist temple of the valley's herding families. Prayer wheels, flags snapping in the wind and, if the caretaker is in, the chance to light a butter lamp.
Photo: Amitabha Gupta · CC BY 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Gnathang Gadenchoeling is a village gumpa, not a grand monastery, and that is its charm. It serves the families who live in the valley year round, and it is often quiet, with only the wind in the prayer flags. If the caretaker is there, you may be allowed inside to see the altar and light a butter lamp.
Walk round the building clockwise, turning the prayer wheels with your right hand. Remove shoes before entering, keep voices low, and do not point your feet at the altar if you sit. Ask before photographing inside; some caretakers allow it, others do not. A small offering at the altar is welcome but never expected.
Combine the gumpa with the war memorial and a walk on the meadows. In winter the gumpa may be locked when families move lower. Wikipedia also lists a Krishna temple in the village, a sign of the mix of faiths on the Silk Route.
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Questions travellers ask
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Is Gnathang Gadenchoeling Gumpa open to visitors?
Usually, during the day when the caretaker is around. It is a small village gumpa, so hours are informal. If it is locked, you can still walk round the outside and its prayer wheels. Dress modestly, remove shoes before entering, and ask before photographing inside.
Can non-Buddhists visit the gumpa?
Yes. Visitors of any faith are welcome if they are respectful. Walk clockwise around the building, keep quiet inside, and follow any guidance from the caretaker. Making an offering is a personal choice; a few rupees or a butter lamp are customary for those who wish.
Are there festivals at the Gnathang gumpa?
Losar, the Tibetan new year in February or March, and other Buddhist days are observed by the village, but the road may be snowbound at that time and celebrations are small and private. We do not promise any public event. Ask us before planning a trip around a date.
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