gompa in aleu

Gompa in Aleu – Bhutanese Monastery in Aleu Manali

It was my last day in Manali. Well, I only spent a night in Manali so it was nothing sort of a long itinerary. After visiting Hidimba Temple on the last day, I headed to Mall Road where I had brunch at a restaurant, and headed to a bakery. I was supposed to go Naggar from Manali, back to the place I was staying at. I booked an auto-rickshaw from the mall road for 150 INR (if I am not wrong). I had to visit a gompa in Aleu and that was the last stop for the day. It was a small gompa in the village and I hadn’t known much about it. It’s history, past, people, etc.

gompa in aleu manali

This was the first time I visited inside a gompa including its praying place, residential area, kitchen, etc. I hadn’t seen a gompa this close before and I was excited to learn about the culture and tradition. I had previously visited monasteries in McLeod Ganj however this was a different experience. I googled to find the difference between a gompa and a monastery. I found an answer,

‘A monastery is a spiritual center where Buddhist ideas and beliefs are taught and where one learns to renounce their materialistic and sensual desire and cultivate the right attitude. Therefore, a gompa is a room where a Buddhist meditates and listens to the teachings.’ (Source)

gompa in aleu

The Silence & Enchanting Vibes of Gompa in Aleu

Aleu’s Buddhist gompa is located at a small walk from the road. The driver dropped me on the main road itself and from there I took a short walk to the gompa. This is a small monastery with lots of fruiting plants and flowers. The very first thing that I noticed was how green and soothing its ambiance was. It was peaceful to witness something like this after the crowds of Manali. The monastery had Bhutanese vibes to it which could be seen through its architecture and dragon paintings on its walls.

Read Here – Sissu Waterfall & Lake

aleu monastery

I am not sure about its history and didn’t find it on the internet as well. (If you know the history of Aleu Gompa, do let me know). I spent some time sitting in the small garden outside in silence. After a while, I went inside. As I mentioned earlier, this was the first time I was visiting a place like this. I took off my boots just at the entrance. Most of the structures were made of wood. I was led to the main praying area.

A friend told that the gompa was constructed in 1984 by Bhutanese sponsor of Rimpoche Thrinley Dorji, Tshering Wangdi.

gompa in aleu

The room had a large Buddha’s idol with lots of scriptures placed around, lots of praying and meditating items which I can’t name. I sat there for a while. I was offered a beverage with some cookies. It was so peaceful and I felt like sitting there for more. But then I had to leave and the people at the monastery too were busy. I even checked the kitchen. Basically, it was a residential area too where the priest (I’m not sure that’s the correct word to use) lived with his family.

 

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