Beautiful Chortens in the Himalayas

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)
    Rongbuk Gompa (Monastery)
  • Pilgrims at Tashi Lhunpo Gompa
    Pilgrims at Tashi Lhunpo Gompa
  • Kumbum Chorten
    Kumbum Chorten
  • Karola Glacier
    Karola Glacier
  • Potala Palace
    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
    Chorten on the Upper Mustang trek
  • Chortens on the Upper Mustang trek
  • Buddhist chorten in front of the snowy Annapurna Range
    Buddhist chorten in front of the snowy Annapurna Range, Mustang
  • Village of Charang
    Village of Charang, Mustang
  • Buddhist chortens in the village of Tangby
    Buddhist chortens in the village of Tangby, Mustang
  • Entrance to the village of Charang
    Entrance to the village of Charang, Mustang
  • Stupa and Gumba in Charang
    Stupa and Gumba in Charang, Mustang
  • Mani Wall and Chorten on the Everest Base Camp Trail
    Mani Wall and Chorten on the Everest Base Camp Trail
  • Chorten in front of Ama Dablam, Everest Base Camp Trek
    Chorten in front of Ama Dablam, Everest Base Camp Trek
  • Mani Wall and Chorten on the Everest Base Camp Trek
    Mani Wall and Chorten on the Everest Base Camp Trek
  • Porter and chorten, above Dingboche, Everest Base Camp Trek
    Porter and chorten, above Dingboche, Everest Base Camp Trek
  • Chorten above Thame
    Chorten above Thame, Everest Base Camp Trek
  • Buddhist monastery Tengboche, Everest Base Camp Trek
    Buddhist monastery Tengboche, Everest Base Camp Trek
  • Stupa for Puja at Everest Base Camp
    Stupa for Puja at Everest Base Camp
  • Chorten and Ama Dablam, Everest Base Camp Trek
    Chorten and Ama Dablam, Everest Base Camp Trek
  • Buddhist chorten, Everest Base Camp Trek
    Buddhist chorten, Everest Base Camp Trek
  • Decorated chorten in the village of Lho
    Decorated chorten in the village of Lho, Manaslu
  • Mt Manaslu (far left) and the village of Lho
    Mt Manaslu (far left) and the village of Lho
  • Chortens in the village of Samagoan
    Chortens in the village of Samagoan, Manaslu
  • Chorten at the entrance to Samagoan
    Chorten at the entrance to Samagoan, Manaslu
  • Buddhist chorten, Annapurna Circuit Trek
    Buddhist chorten, Annapurna Circuit Trek
  • Annapurna Range, Manang
    Annapurna Range, Manang
  • Chortens and porters, Annapurna Circuit Trek
    Chortens and porters, Annapurna Circuit Trek
  • Ghyaru, 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
    Chortens in Cha, Ladakh
  • Chortens with Phuktal Gompa behind
    Chortens with Phuktal Gompa, Ladakh
  • Chortens in front of Phuktal Gompa
    Chortens in front of Phuktal Gompa, Ladakh
  • Phuktal Gompa and an old chorten from village
    Phuktal Gompa and an old chorten from village, Ladakh
  • Colourful chortens in Lamayuru
    Colourful chortens in Lamayuru, Ladakh
  • Chortens at Lamayuru Gompa
    Chortens at Lamayuru Gompa, Ladakh
  • Tiksey Gompa
    Tiksey Gompa & chortens, Ladakh
  • View from Shey fortress ruin
    View from Shey fortress ruin, Ladakh
  • Diskit Gompa
    Diskit Gompa, Ladakh
  • Statue of Future Buddha, DIskit
    Statue of Future Buddha, DIskit, Ladakh
  • Shanti Stupa, Leh
    Shanti Stupa, Leh, Ladakh
  • Gomang Chorten, Leh
    Gomang Chorten, Leh, Ladakh
  • Chortens and prayer wheel in Skiu
    Chortens and prayer wheel in Skiu, Ladakh
  • Chortens in Skiu
    Chortens in Skiu, Ladakh
  • Chortens in Skiu
    Chortens in Skiu, Ladakh
  • Chortens and rock formations in Markha Valley
    Chortens and rock formations in Markha Valley, Ladakh
  • Kunzum La a week earlier
    Kunzum La, Spiti, HIimachal Pradesh, Spiti
  • Dhankar Lake, Spiti
    Dhankar Lake, Spiti
  • Tabo monastery, Spiti
    Tabo monastery, Spiti
  • Tabo, Spiti
  • Above Naki, Spiti
    Above Naki, Spiti
  • Stupa, Norbugang Park, Yuksom
    Stupa, Norbugang Park, Yuksom, Sikkim
  • Chorten, Yuksom
    Chorten, Yuksom, Sikkim
  • Buddhist Gompa, Rewalsar Lake, Himachal Pradesh
    Buddhist Gompa, Rewalsar Lake, Himachal Pradesh
  • Japanese Peace Pagoda, Darjeeling
    Japanese Peace Pagoda, Darjeeling
  • Chortens, Dali Gompa, 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
    View from Jumolhari Base Camp
  • Chorten on the trail
    Chorten on the trail
  • Buddhist Chorten at fork of Paa and Paro Chhus(Rivers)
    Buddhist Chorten at fork of Paa and Paro Chhus(Rivers)
  • Kurji Lhakhang (Temple)
    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.

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