Chortens (stupas) are one of the most recognizable Buddhist structures and can be found in many areas in the Himalayas. They add an interesting texture to the stunning mountain scenery. During our travels we have visited many regions in the Himalayas and have seen hundreds of chortens. Here is a selection of our favourites.
Buddhists in the Himalayas typically follow Tibetan Buddhism. Chorten is the Tibetan word for stupa and translates to “basis for worship”. Chortens are said to resemble the shape of Buddha sitting in a meditative posture when he attained enlightenment. Originally, Buddhist stupas were built to contain relics from Buddha’s body such as ashes. There are many legends that suggest a few ancient stupas around Asia contain portions of Buddha’s body. Today, chortens represent Buddha in places where people would not be able to travel to one of the original chortens that may or may not contain his relics.
Tibet
Tibet is a remarkable place that is rich in culture, legends and history. It is the birthplace of the doctrine of Tibetan Buddhism. We were lucky to have been able to see some of their beautiful Buddhist chortens.
Rongbuk Gompa (Monastery) 
Pilgrims at Tashi Lhunpo Gompa 
Kumbum Chorten 
Karola Glacier 
Potala Palace
Stupas, including chortens, are usually solid so people don’t enter inside. Instead Buddhists circumambulate clockwise around them, always keeping the chorten on their clean side (right). They are to focus on Buddha’s teachings while they walk in order to gain merits towards enlightenment. Buddhists believe in rebirth and the way to get out of the endless cycle of death and rebirth is to become enlightened.
Nepal
In Nepal we travelled through the Buddhist regions of Mustang, Everest, Manaslu and Annapurna. The heritage of the residents is mostly Tibetan. They have maintained many of their ancestral traditions which are mixed with their own unique regional customs. We could see how the chortens varied remarkably as we travelled between regions.
Chorten on the Upper Mustang trek 
Chortens on the Upper Mustang trek 
Buddhist chorten in front of the snowy Annapurna Range, Mustang 
Village of Charang, Mustang 
Buddhist chortens in the village of Tangby, Mustang 
Entrance to the village of Charang, Mustang 
Stupa and Gumba in Charang, Mustang 
Mani Wall and Chorten on the Everest Base Camp Trail 
Chorten in front of Ama Dablam, Everest Base Camp Trek 
Mani Wall and Chorten on the Everest Base Camp Trek 
Porter and chorten, above Dingboche, Everest Base Camp Trek 
Chorten above Thame, Everest Base Camp Trek 
Buddhist monastery Tengboche, Everest Base Camp Trek 
Stupa for Puja at Everest Base Camp 
Chorten and Ama Dablam, Everest Base Camp Trek 
Buddhist chorten, Everest Base Camp Trek 
Decorated chorten in the village of Lho, Manaslu 
Mt Manaslu (far left) and the village of Lho 
Chortens in the village of Samagoan, Manaslu 
Chorten at the entrance to Samagoan, Manaslu 
Buddhist chorten, Annapurna Circuit Trek 
Annapurna Range, Manang 
Chortens and porters, Annapurna Circuit Trek 
Ghyaru, Annapurna Circuit Trek 
Above Manang, Annapurna Circuit Trek
India
The northern Indian regions of Ladakh, Spiti, Sikkim and the cities of Rewalsar and Darjeeling have large communities of Tibetan Buddhists. Their culture, architecture and beliefs are very similar to their Tibetan ancestors. We enjoyed seeing the many different chortens in these Himalayan communities in India.
Chortens in Cha, Ladakh 
Chortens with Phuktal Gompa, Ladakh 
Chortens in front of Phuktal Gompa, Ladakh 
Phuktal Gompa and an old chorten from village, Ladakh 
Colourful chortens in Lamayuru, Ladakh 
Chortens at Lamayuru Gompa, Ladakh 
Tiksey Gompa & chortens, Ladakh 
View from Shey fortress ruin, Ladakh 
Diskit Gompa, Ladakh 
Statue of Future Buddha, DIskit, Ladakh 
Shanti Stupa, Leh, Ladakh 
Gomang Chorten, Leh, Ladakh 
Chortens and prayer wheel in Skiu, Ladakh 
Chortens in Skiu, Ladakh 
Chortens in Skiu, Ladakh 
Chortens and rock formations in Markha Valley, Ladakh 
Kunzum La, Spiti, HIimachal Pradesh, Spiti 
Dhankar Lake, Spiti 
Tabo monastery, Spiti 
Tabo, Spiti 
Above Naki, Spiti 
Stupa, Norbugang Park, Yuksom, Sikkim 
Chorten, Yuksom, Sikkim 
Buddhist Gompa, Rewalsar Lake, Himachal Pradesh 
Japanese Peace Pagoda, Darjeeling 
Chortens, Dali Gompa, Darjeeling
Bhutan
Nestled in the Himalayas, Bhutan is a recently democratized kingdom that has been closed off from the rest of the world for years. It’s a devoutly Buddhist country with strong ancient traditions and customs. It was fascinating to see symbols of their Tibetan Buddhists roots throughout this small country.
View from Jumolhari Base Camp 
Chorten on the trail 
Buddhist Chorten at fork of Paa and Paro Chhus(Rivers) 
Kurji Lhakhang (Temple) 
Coming Next: Seven Summits – Climbing Mount Elbrus
Click on the links for extra pictures from Tibet, Nepal, India, or Bhutan. For pictures from other blogs go to Gallery at monkeystale.ca
To read about more of our adventures go to Destinations.
If you like what you read, please comment or share (with credit) using the links below.
Monkey's Tale 
Awesome!
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Thanks!
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A most enjoyable post; I particularly liked seeing the differing styles on one page!
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Thanks, it was interesting to go through the pictures too and see how different they are in regions that are not that far away from each other, but yet so remote they developed their own style.
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Yes! I thought that too. 🙂
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So interesting how humans have been able to construct these structures in any environment. Thanks for sharing. Allan
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Yes, some are in very difficult to reach places and then there is a massive, beautiful structure! Thanks for reading, Maggie
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I did a class in university called Spirituality and Sustainability and when we did Tibet, we looked at how Buddhists there have used their environment to practice their religion and how it’s different from other Buddhist communities. It was fascinating!
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Oh wow, that would be an interesting course. Yes, we are very enchanted by Tibetan Buddhism. It’s not as ornate as other Buddhist practices, and you’re right, many monasteries, chortens etc use natural elements or colours.
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It was one of my favourite university courses, apart from the ones I took for my major. I guess the thing that hits you the most is that environment influences religion and cultural practices
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Absolutely stunning! Loved how you show the different, yet similar styles!, they are like dialects are to language!
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Thanks, yes it was so interesting, especially now looking at them all on one page. Some of the communities are not that far apart but because they’re so remote they have their their own look. If I spoke Tibetan, I ‘d probably notice it in their speech too 🙂
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Hello. I was in Nepal in 1982. Went on a group trek from the outskirts of Kathmandu to Kala Patar. Saw some of the stupas you photographed. It was the greatest adventure of my life.
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Isn’t it an amazing place. We love Nepal in part because of the beauty of the mountains but also because of their fascinating traditions and cultures.
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I’m glad I was there. It was a great experience for me.
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I really like this series on Buddhist religious monuments. Beyond the landscapes that you show very well, I am always interested in the architectural features, it is a curiosity to see how others live elsewhere in the world.
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Thank you, we love the Himalayas for their mountains but also for the different cultures of the people who live there. Glad that came across in the post. Maggie
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Wow..wow..wow.. Awesome captures!
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Thank you!!!
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Very nice!!!!
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Thank you!!! Maggie
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Very nice post with great collection of all the stupas. There is some great tradition and culture in that area.
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Yes, it is a fascinating place to visit, so different from our way of life. We love the Himalayas. Thanks for reading! Maggie
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Different architecture styles of the Himalayan nations are among the things that made me fall in love with this part of the world. From all those varieties of chortens to the highly-intricate Newari wood carvings, there’s so much to see beyond the majestic snow-capped giants. I really love this photo collection of yours!
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Thanks Bama, that’s exactly why we love the Himalayas too. Their culture, architecture and the high massifs. It had such incredible and diverse areas
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I get the serene vibes just by looking at the pictures. Can’t imagine what it would feel to be actually there!. Timeless clicks!.
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Thank you, There is a sense of peace in these communities. The people are kind, the mountains are beautiful and the Buddhist structures add the calm. Thanks for reading! Maggie
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your photos are just beautiful! The blue skies seem to be a feature. was the weather always so clear?
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In many areas it is close to the Tibetan plateau and is very arid so few clouds and less rain. It’s in the mountain shadows so clouds can’t get over the mountains. And, at very high elevations (Everest base camp) in the spring and fall there is also little precipitation. We spent most of the Indian monsoon in Ledakh and had little rain.
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I love how these structures are similar, yet each has a unique spin. I’d love to travel to this part of the world someday. But for now, I’ll just have to live vicariously through your adventures!
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Yes, that was a really interesting part. Many of the communities are not far apart but are still so remote they didn’t interact much. They developed their own traditions and legends in the different communities. You’d love it, but it is tough to get around so plan a lot of time, or multiple trips. Maggie
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Wonderful photos of these structures, from so many places! Thanks for the virtual tour.
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Thanks Rebecca, we love both the artistry and the peacefulness of these chortens in the Himalayas. Thanks for reading! Maggie
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Beautiful photos, so many styles and designs, would love to see these
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Thank you, it was interesting for us to go through the pictures again so the differences really stand out. You’d love it, could be a future trip! You don’t need to do a high altitude hike for all of them:)
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Wow ! Great post and I loved all the pics !
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Thank you!!,
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lovely captures, n wonderful post thnx to share
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Thank you!
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That’s quite a collection you have there! Each so unique in their own way…colour or shape…I think I would have pictures of these all over my walls! Did you know there is one just outside of Sedona in Arizona. Thanks for sharing!
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Thanks Linda, we do have two of these pictures on our walls!! I’d love to see the one in Arizona. Is there a Buddhist retreat or something? Maggie
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It’s called Amitabha Stupa and Peace Park. Check it out 🙂
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An enlightening post. Thanks for sharing the broad wealth of photos and experiences.
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Thank you, glad you enjoyed it!
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Just lovely. Whenever people build elaborately up in the mountains or other hard-to-reach areas, I’m always doubly impressed.
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I know, and some of these were no where near a town.
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so beautiful
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Thank you, yes the chortens have lovely settings in the beautiful Himalayas.
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Wonderful!!!!!
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Thank you!!
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🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
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Wonderful !
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Thank you!
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Beautiful captures and a fascinating post M & R, you seem to have spent a lot of time with the communities in these places❣️
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Lovely post! Beautiful pictures!
We are new to the world of travel blogging and would really appreciate it if you could visit our blog and give your feedback! Cheers!
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Looks good! Keep up the good work! My best advice is to keep your text accurate and without typos, grammer errors etc and a picture helps to tie it all in.
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Brilliant read. Thanks a lot.
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Thank you
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