Buddhist Pilgrimage Arunachal Pradesh

Located 45 km from Tawang, the Taktsang Gompa is also known as the Tiger's Den. Guru Padmasambhava is supposed to have visited the ancient monastery in the 8th century. Another significant gompa nearby Tawang is Urgelling which is closely associated with the birth of Tsewang Gyatso, the sixth Dalai Lama. Much revered by Buddhist devotees, features of his such as footprints and fingerprints are preserved inside. The Rigyalling Monastery is set in the deep cover of lush forestland. One of the oldest Ani gompas (nunnery) is the Brahma Dung-chung Ani Gompa situated 12 km from Tawang. Commissioned by Karchen Yeshi Gelek in 1595, it houses around 45 nuns. The Gyangong Ani Gompa, where around 50 nuns live, lies about 5 km from Tawang town. Built by Gonpaste Rimpoche, the Singsur Ani Gompa, which is home to 45 nuns, is 28 km from Tawang. The 12th century Gorsam Choten (stupa) at Zemithang, the largest in the area, is 92 km from Tawang.