Ganden Monastery is one of the three great Gelug University monasteries in Tibet alongside the Sera and Drepung monasteries. Situated in the hills about 25 miles northeast of Lhasa, Ganden also means ‘Joyful’ in the Tibetan language. Sadly in the Cultural Revolution of 1969 Destruction of Ganden Monastery took place.
The present structure of the monastery is a mixture of ruins and reconstructed buildings. A monastery with such significant history and standing now remains the relic of the tragic events that occurred here in the 19th century. Reforms and reconstruction also have made the monasteries habitable again with 400 monks residing in it.
The Ganden Monastery contained about two dozen chapels with large Buddha sculptures within them. Similarly, the 14th Dalai Lama completed his graduation from the same Monastery. There are essential artifacts related to the great Tsongkhapa in the monastery houses. This Monastery also houses many relics significant to Tibetan Buddhism. Having an area thrice larger than the Potala Palace, Ganden Monastery was the center of the Gelug or ‘Ganden Lug’ tradition of Tibetan Buddhism.
Major Attractions
Serdung (contains the tomb of Tsongkhapa)
Ngam Cho Khang Chapel
Tsokchen Assembly Hall
Large Buddha Statues
Two dozen major Chapels
