Mark Buddha Purnima 2025 with a trip to these 5 peaceful monasteries to visit in India. From Ladakh to Sikkim, find spiritual solace and cultural refinement at these holy Buddhist places.
Buddha Purnima, or Vesak, is the day to celebrate the birth, enlightenment, and death of Gautama Buddha, and Buddhists’ one of the holiest days on earth. In 2025, Buddha Purnima occurs on May 23, and it provides an ideal opportunity to dive into the spiritual nature of Buddhism. India, the birthplace of Buddhism, is home to many stunning monasteries that provide peace and a deep connection to Buddhist teachings. If you’re planning a spiritual journey, here are 5 monasteries to visit in India this Buddha Purnima, each offering a unique experience of serenity and devotion.
These monasteries to explore are not only centers of worship but also cultural sites, where one can witness old traditions, unwind in peaceful surroundings, and discover Buddhist philosophy. Let us learn about these holy sites that offer a once-in-a-lifetime experience on Buddha Purnima 2025.
1.Tawang Monastery, Arunachal Pradesh: A Himalayan Jewel
Arunachal Pradesh’s Tawang Monastery is among India’s best monasteries to see during Buddha Purnima. Situated at 10,000 feet above sea level, it’s India’s largest and world’s second largest monastery. Tawang Monastery is a century-old structure of the 17th century. It is among the principal centers of Mahayana Buddhism and shelters more than 450 monks. At the time of Buddha Purnima, Tawang Monastery is filled with devotional prayers, chanting, and colorful festivals.
The three-story assembly hall of the monastery is home to an enormous golden idol of Lord Buddha, old books and thangkas. Lapped by snow-topped hills in all directions, Tawang Monastery has spectacular vistas and peaceful ambiance, counting among the most popular monasteries to visit for spiritual travelers. Visit this Himalayan gem in 2025 and bask in the holy atmosphere of Buddha Purnima.
2.Hemis Monastery, Ladakh: A Spiritual Retreat
Hemis Monastery of Ladakh also cannot be left out among monasteries to visit during India this Buddha Purnima. 45 km from Leh, in the 11th century, is located the largest and wealthiest of Ladakh and Drukpa school of Buddhism’s Hemis Monastery. Hemis is internationally renowned for its festival every year, but Buddha Purnima adds a special flavor of its own with distinct prayer and rituals.
The monastery boasts a humongous Lord Buddha statue and an arsenal of Buddhist relics, thangkas, and scriptures. On 2025 Buddha Purnima, you can stroll with monks in meditation, hear their prayers, and see the prayer flags fluttering, which contribute to the spiritual environment. Hemis Monastery’s isolated location in the middle of uneven mountains makes it one of the quietest monasteries to explore, ideal for a meditative journey on this holy day.
3.Rumtek Monastery, Sikkim: A Celebration of Colors
Situated at the center of Gangtok in Sikkim, Rumtek Monastery is the most crowded of all the monasteries to observe this Buddha Purnima. The biggest monastery in Sikkim, Rumtek is a very famous site for the Kagyu order of Tibetan Buddhism. Built in the 1960s, the monastery is famous for its massive structures, intricate frescoes, and serene atmosphere, attracting devotees as well as tourists in equal numbers.
At Buddha Purnima 2025, Rumtek Monastery performs unique rituals such as prayer ceremonies, sutra chanting, and cultural performances. The prayer hall of the monastery is adorned with a huge Buddha statue and beautiful thangkas, hence acting as a spiritual center for meditation. Rumtek monastery, situated amidst beautiful valleys and snow mountains, is one of the finest locations to visit in order to get a mix of spirituality and nature during this sacred festival.
4.Mindrolling Monastery, Dehradun: A Southern Refuge
For those who cannot make it to the Himalayas, Mindrolling Monastery in Dehradun, Uttarakhand, is among the best monasteries to see in India this Buddha Purnima. A Nyingma school monastery of Tibetan Buddhism, this one is famous for its Great Stupa, 185 feet tall and the world’s tallest stupa. The monastery also has a 107-foot-tall Lord Buddha statue, making it even more beautiful.
At Buddha Purnima 2025, the Mindrolling Monastery provides monk classes, meditation, and prayer ceremonies that provide a serene experience to the travelers. Beautifully landscaped gardens, stunning murals, and serene landscapes of the monastery make it the most accessible monastery for spiritual wanderers in northern India. It is best to celebrate Buddha Purnima without traversing the mountains.
5.Tsuglagkhang Complex, Dharamshala: The Dalai Lama’s Abode
Dharamshala’s Tsuglagkhang Complex in McLeod Ganj is one of the most sacred monasteries to see in India on this Buddha Purnima. The complex is the official abode of the 14th Dalai Lama and a spiritual hub for Tibetan Buddhism. The complex contains the Tsuglagkhang Temple, monastery, museum, and library and is an experience of Buddhism in its real sense.
During Buddha Purnima 2025, there are exclusive prayers, debates among monks, and meditation classes held at the Tsuglagkhang Complex. The temple’s three-meter-tall, gilded Sakyamuni Buddha image and its exquisite murals emanate divine energies. This is among the best monasteries to visit to mark a spiritual celebration of Buddha Purnima in peace, surrounded by pine trees and prayer flags everywhere.
Monastery Visit Tips This Buddha Purnima
To make the most of your trip to these monasteries to observe on India this Buddha Purnima, plan your visit in advance. Dress modestly and respectfully as they are holy places. Plan to arrive early to join in with morning prayers or join a meditation class to gain a better insight into the spiritual side. Observe the rules of the monastery, for example, by being quiet during rituals and not taking photos in prohibited areas.
Most of these monasteries to see are located in off-the-beaten-track areas, so verify traveling connectivity. Tawang Monastery, for instance, can be accessed from Guwahati (440 km), and Hemis Monastery can be accessed from Leh. Mindrolling Monastery is close to Dehradun’s Jolly Grant Airport, and Tsuglagkhang Complex is one hour’s drive from Dharamshala. Bring warm clothing to Himalayan monasteries like Tawang and Hemis since it is cool even in May.
Buddha Purnima 2025 is the ideal time to feel the spiritual and cultural heritage of India’s Buddhist culture. These 5 monasteries to see—Tawang Monastery, Hemis Monastery, Rumtek Monastery, Mindrolling Monastery, and Tsuglagkhang Complex—are the ideal representation of a perfect blend of peace, spirituality, and beauty of nature. If you are looking for meditation, prayer, or a glimpse into the Buddhists’ lifestyle, these monasteries to visit in India will soothe you and motivate you. Schedule your trip this May and let us hear about your experience at Buddha Purnima through comments below!
