Perched at an altitude of nearly 3,660 meters in the serene Hangrang Valley of
Himachal Pradesh, Nako Monastery is an ancient Buddhist haven founded in the
11th century by the legendary translator Rinchen Zangpo.
Situated near the tranquil, high-altitude Nako Lake, this historic complex
comprises four distinct shrines, with the Translator's Temple standing
as its central masterpiece. The monastery is celebrated for its exquisite
preserved artwork, housing intricate murals, ancient clay statues, and
delicate painted mandalas that showcase the rich artistic heritage of Tibetan
Buddhism.
Over the centuries, Nako Monastery has remained a vital spiritual hub for the
local community and a significant site along the ancient Indo-Tibetan trade
route. Despite facing environmental challenges and severe weather in the high
Himalayas, conservation efforts have helped protect its delicate mud-brick
structures and sacred inner sanctums. Visiting the monastery offers a profound
sense of peace, where the quiet devotion of local monks, the fluttering prayer
flags against stark mountains, and centuries of preserved spiritual tradition
create a truly timeless experience.
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THE HISTORICAL BUDDHIST MONASTERY OF NAKO
The historic Nako Monastery was established in the first half of the
11th century by Lochen Rinchen Zangpo (the Great Translator
Ratan Bhadra).
The complex comprises four primary chapels, surrounded by several
ancient stupas outside the monastery boundaries.
Entering through the main gate and proceeding clockwise, visitors first
encounter an unassuming, single-story chapel known as Jan-Khang,
which serves primarily as a kitchen.
Crossing over the kitchen roof leads to the monastery's first shrine,
Kar-Jung. Adjacent to the interior front wall is an elevated
platform (Chabutra), which serves as the seat for Purgyul,
the protector deity of the region. Rather than housing statues, this
chapel's walls are adorned with intricate paintings of Buddhist deities.
Descending from the kitchen roof brings you to the second and largest
shrine: Lochavai Lakhang (The Temple of the Translator), locally
known as Chug Lakhang. Servicing as the central sanctuary of the
complex, it houses numerous clay and metallic idols, including
Amoghasiddhi, Ratnasambhava, Akshobhya, Vairocana, and Amitabha.
On the left wall stands a revered statue of Prajnaparamita,
beneath which lies a sacred inner chamber called the Gon-Khang.
It houses a statue of the religious protector Chos-Kyong. Entry
and veneration within this sanctum require specific religious rituals.
The right wall depicts the Vajradhatu Mahamandala of Vairocana.
This temple also houses stupas, ritual instruments, and a collection of
Kangyur—the sacred scriptures containing the direct teachings of
the Buddha.
Exiting clockwise, visitors pass Jom-Khang, a single-story room
utilized for teaching and assembly.
Continuing forward, the third shrine features a clay statue of
Dolser (Yellow Tara), flanked by eight clay figures of the
Bhaishajyagurus (Medicine Buddhas)—four on each side. The right
wall presents a vibrant mandala of Vairocana in the
Dharmachakra Mudra.
The fourth and final chapel contains no clay statues. Inside, murals
depict Vajradhara on the left, Sakyamuni in the center,
and the legendary King of Ling, Gesar Gyalpo, on the right.
Directly above the main door are depictions of the
Chatur Maharaja (the Four Heavenly Kings, protectors of the
cardinal directions). Throughout the entire monastery, the walls are
painted with vibrant murals of various Buddhist deities.
Presented by: Lakhang Management Committee & Himachal Tourism
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Temple of the Translator
Located at the heart of Nako
Monastery, the Lochavai-Lhakhang—also known locally as Chug Lhakhang or
the Temple of the Translator—is the largest and historically most
significant chapel within the complex.
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Founded in the 11th century and dedicated to the Great Translator
Rinchen Zangpo, this central sanctuary serves as the primary spiritual
hub of the monastery. Its sanctuary is renowned for housing a
magnificent array of ancient clay statues depicting the Five Dhyani
Buddhas—Amoghasiddhi, Ratnasambhava, Akshobhya, Vairocana, and
Amitabha—alongside a prominent sculpture of Prajnaparamita, the deity
of transcendental wisdom.
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Architecturally and artistically, the Lochavai-Lhakhang is a treasure
trove of Indo-Tibetan Buddhist heritage. The interior walls feature
remarkably preserved murals, including a grand depiction of the
Vajradhatu Mahamandala of Vairocana, showcasing delicate brushwork
characteristic of early West Himalayan art. Beneath the shrine of
Prajnaparamita lies the Gon-Khang, a sacred protector chamber reserved
for solemn ritual veneration. Beyond its murals and statues, the
chapel acts as a repository of living faith, preserving sacred Kangyur
scriptures containing the teachings of the Buddha, ancient stupas, and
ceremonial instruments that continue to anchor the region's spiritual
tradition.
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Small White Temple
The Small White Temple, often associated
with the Kar-Jung chapel within the historic Nako Monastery complex, is
a revered shrine renowned for its distinct character and spiritual
significance.
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Unlike the monastery's main sanctuary, which is packed with major
statues, the Small White Temple lacks a central idol; instead, it
features an elevated platform, or Chabutra, dedicated to
Purgyul, the protective deity of the region. Despite its
modest, understated exterior, the chapel’s interior walls are
decorated with ancient Buddhist murals and delicate paintings
depicting various gods and goddesses, offering visitors a quiet
sanctuary for veneration.
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Artistically and narratively, this shrine serves as a visual gateway
into the life and foundational teachings of the Buddha through its
intricate carvings and preserved wall paintings. As part of the
centuries-old mud-brick complex originally established in the 11th
century by Rinchen Zangpo, the Small White Temple provides essential
insight into early West Himalayan monastic art. Its pristine, quiet
atmosphere and detailed artwork make it an integral stop along the
traditional clockwise pilgrimage path inside the Nako Monastery
grounds.
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Upper Temple of the Translator
The Lochavai Lhakhang Gongma
(also known as the Upper Temple of the Translator) is the third shrine
along the traditional clockwise pilgrimage path inside the historic Nako
Monastery complex.
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Situated above the main sanctuary, this temple holds a distinct
position within the 11th-century mud-brick complex originally
established by Lochen Rinchen Zangpo. The interior of the chapel is
centered around a striking central clay statue of
Dolser (Yellow Tara), flanked on either side by four clay
statues of the Bhaishajyagurus (Medicine Buddhas), making it an
important focal point for devotion, healing, and spiritual reflection.
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Beyond its sculpted iconography, the Lochavai Lhakhang Gongma is
celebrated for its exquisite early West Himalayan mural art. The right
interior wall prominently features a vibrant, detailed mandala of
Vairocana depicted in the Dharmachakra Mudra (the
gesture of turning the Wheel of Dharma). Accompanied by various
paintings of deities that line its sanctum, the chapel showcases
remarkable artistic precision from the West Tibetan artistic
tradition, offering visitors and pilgrims a profound sense of serenity
and continuity within Nako's rich sacred heritage.
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Temple of Wide Proportions
The Gaya-Pag-Pai Lhakhang (also
written as Gyagpai Lhakhang or the
Temple of Wide Proportions) is the fourth and final main chapel
encountered along the traditional clockwise pilgrimage circuit within
the historic Nako Monastery complex.
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Setting it apart from the other chapels in the compound, this shrine
contains no central clay idols or statues. Instead, its spiritual
narrative and sanctity are expressed entirely through vivid, intricate
wall paintings and frescoes that line its interior, representing a
unique artistic dimension of early Trans-Himalayan Buddhist art.
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Iconographically, the murals within the Gaya-Pag-Pai Lhakhang depict a
rich array of central figures and guardian deities. On the left wall,
visitors can observe depictions of Vajradhara, while the center
wall displays images of Sakyamuni (the historical Buddha), and
the right wall features Gesar Gyalpo, the epic warrior-king of
Ling. Positioned directly above the entrance are the painted images of
the Chatur Maharaja (Chatur Maharaj Kayaik Dev), the
four heavenly kings who serve as protectors of the cardinal
directions. Complete with additional murals of various deities on the
surrounding walls, the chapel serves as a powerful artistic sanctuary
dedicated to spiritual protection and preservation.
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View of the Spiti Valley from Nako Monastery
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See Also
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