Ganden Monastery
Ganden Monastery, also known as Ganden Namgyeling, is one of the three great Gelug university monasteries (the other two are Sera Monastery and Drepung Monastery) of Tibet, China. It was constructed in 1409 near Lhasa by the founder of the Gelug order, Je Tsongkhapa Lozang-dragpa. Back in 1958, the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, took his last degree examination here. However, Ganden was destroyed after 1959, right now it has been partially rebuilt.
Right now, there are several major constructions in the monastery, namely, the Lagyi Hall, Chitokang, Yangbagyain Hall, Xaze, Jamze Zhacang Buddhist Colleges and kamcuns and Myicuns. The Lagyi Hall is a 3-storey building. And it takes up 2,000 square meters and can contain 3,000 people at the same time.
The Yangbagyain Hall situates to the west of the Lagyi Hall and the Holy Stupa Hall. The Holy Stupa Hall has silver stupas for different generations of Ganden Khripa abbots.The Chitokang Hall was once the bed chamber of Zongkapa. After his death, this hall enshrined his sacred stupa with his personal items. The Xaze and Jamze Zhacang Buddhist College locates to the west.
Each year, the Buddha Painting Unfolding Festival, one of the grandest Buddhist festivals, is celebrated here, which attracts numerous believers and travelers.
Travel Tips:
1. Ganden Monastery runs a guesthouse for travelers, so you can choose to stay overnight.
2.The Admission Fee is 50 RMB.