Visit the Sacred Gonhgye Monastery on the Chule to Nyak Trek
9 Oct 2024 Chandra Gurung
You might have heard about many popular monasteries in the Manaslu region. However, the sacred Gonhgye Monastery is often less talked about. Where is it and why are people underestimating it?
While trekking to the Manaslu for days, you will find yourself in an isolated and unspoiled village. At first, the lack of famous mountains and high passes might make the place less appealing to your eyes. But the valley loves surprising travellers with its interesting culture and religious aspect. Also, as you move further, the Tsum Valley gives better views of the Ganesh Himal than you could imagine. Walking through the narrow passages of the valley makes you realize why it is called The Hidden Valley.
Within the valley, you will enter the Chule village, a tiny and remote village that lets you enjoy the amazing culture of the Sherpa people. If the weather is clear, which rarely is in the valley, you can get amazing mountain views, including Everest. But it is not only the mountains and the forests this village offers you. The culture and spirituality of this place are something to look out for.
Trekking details about Gonhgye Monastery
For those who don’t know, Gonhgye Monastery sits in the upper reaches of the Tsum Valley, near Chule. After a tiring 10 to 12-day trek from Kathmandu to several villages and landscapes and trekking through the uppermost parts of the valley, you can get to the monastery. If the teachings of Buddha appeal to you, your visit to this place will be fruitful.
1. Geography of the Gonhgye Monastery
Some parts of the route are straight uphill and then you will find yourself in a flat valley. People still live in traditional houses built from natural stones and love decorating them with colorful religious murals. You will also notice a refreshing waterfall near the village. From there, Mu Gompa, a popular monastery in the Tsum, is somewhat visible.
A little further up from Chule village, you can reach the peaceful Gonghye Monastery which sits unbothered at a height of 3413 meters or 11197 feet. A few prayer flags can be seen flapping around the small premises locked between high mountains.
The deserted monastery looks as beautiful as it should be. What makes Gonhgye Monastery truly special is that it is located in such a place that offers a serene and peaceful atmosphere to its visitors.
2. Historic Significance
Despite not being as popular as some monasteries in the Tsum Valley, the Gonhgye monastery still holds a deep religious and cultural importance for the people living in that region. The fact that this monastery was established centuries ago is proof of its rich spirituality.
Upon visiting the monastery, you will notice how it has maintained the Tibetan Buddhist traditions and practices in the remote region. The locals come here to offer prayers, meditate, and conduct important festivals like Lhosar in the monastery. The historical artifacts and documents present inside the monastery can give you a glimpse into the region’s past.
3. Right season to visit the monastery
A visit to the Gonghye monastery can be made at any time of the year. That said, spring can be the best time to do this trek, especially for those who can not stand freezing temperatures. Many people who have gone there during the monsoon have said that they really enjoyed it. But it is a bit risky because you don’t know when a landslide may occur or how slippery steep routes can get.
Autumns are also fine as the skies are usually clear and you will enjoy the mild weather. It is not impossible to make an attempt after mid-January but if the snowfall is extreme, no one can guarantee.
What to do once you reach the Gonhgye Monastery?
Once you reach the monastery, the first thing to do is relax and simply let the cool air freshen up your mood. Sitting right in front of the monastery, you will likely admire the surrounding views and the rugged structure of the monastery as old as time.
1. Explore the monastery: After resting for a while, get up and take a tour of the monastery. Ask questions to monks. That is how you get to learn about its history, architecture, and religious importance. Give yourself some time to study the murals and intricate carvings that make the monastery look even more beautiful.
2. Meditate: After exploring the monastery, take some time off, find a quiet place, and meditate. You will feel a positive energy for sure.
3. Interact with the monks and locals: There are monks taking care of the monastery and reciting prayers. You can simply talk to them about their daily lives, and their spiritual practices, and put your queries about the monastery.
4. Enjoy the scenery and capture pictures: Not just inside the monastery, the views outside the monastery are equally beautiful. You can see from there how beautiful the Tsum Valley and the surrounding mountains are.
5. Attend a religious ceremony: If you happen to visit the monastery during a festival or some religious ceremony, consider yourself lucky. You can enjoy their cultural music, dance, and people’s joy.
Challenges During Gonhgye Monastery visit
While people love the overall trek to the Tsum Valley, there are certain hardships that most of the trekkers have to go through, unless you’re a local Sherpa.
The weather can be unrelenting during winters and snowstorms are very normal. The Manaslu Trek can humble even the strongest trekker. Here are some challenges you may face while travelling to the Gonhgye Monastery in the Tsum Valley:
- A high risk of altitude sickness lingers for those who are not used to trekking at high altitudes.
- Due to the remote location of the monastery, your access to basic amenities is limited.
- Prepare yourself for the unpredictability of the weather.
- For foreigners who do not understand or speak Nepali, language can be an issue since many locals there do not speak English.
- You may face accommodation issues during peak season so booking in advance is the only solution.
Festivals celebrated at Gonhgye Monastery
Lhosar is the biggest festival of the people of this region but there are a couple of other ceremonies that the local Sherpas celebrate throughout the year. These celebrations are also a way of acknowledging the mix of religious, cultural, and artistic displays of the Tsum Valley.
People also celebrate Saga Dawa and Tsongkhapa’s Birthday with great enthusiasm. The performers wear traditional clothes, masks and perform solo or in groups. Festivals are nothing without tasty food. Families prepare meat and vegetable items and their staple dishes include khapse, momo, thukpa. Chang, a homemade traditional beer is also popular among locals. They prepare the drink by fermenting rice and mixing it with yeast afterward.
Gonhgye Monastery architectural design
Do not expect Gonhgye Monastery to be a modern structure with expensive paintings and statues. The monastery is still in its traditional form with the construction of stone and mud. While some paintings are done to hide the timely damage, the locals have not tried changing the essence of the original structure.
The intricate carvings of the interiors and the exteriors of the monastery are something to marvel at. The carvings tell you thousands of stories with their religious symbols, deities, and mythical beings. Prayer flags are very important in Buddhism and you will see some dancing to the wind outside the monastery.
Other monasteries in Tsum Valley
There are a few other monasteries in the Tsum Valley that let visitors explore the rich and spiritual heritage of that region. Along with the Gonhgye Monastery, you can visit them during your trek to the Tsum. Some of them are:
- Muche Monastery: As you move to the upper reaches of the Tsum, you will be blessed by the Muche monastery. Because of the height it is in, you will get amazing views of the mountains. This small monastery lets you find peace in a secluded atmosphere.
- Lobuje Monastery: A small monastery in the Lobuje village, Lobuje Monastery hints at the traditional Sherpa culture of the Himalayan region. The monastery has colorful prayer flags that look stunning when the winds blow. And the intricate carvings are something to be in awe of.
- Lama Gyalpo Monastery: The monastery got its name from the village of Lama Gyalpo. Located in a peaceful site, this monastery focuses on meditation and spiritual practices.
Conclusion
Travelling to Gonhgye monastery is a great way of learning about the Tibetan Buddhist way of life. It is more about appreciating a different culture, history, and lifestyle. The weather can be supportive in spring and summer but that shouldn’t stop you from preparing your wind gear or other supplies.
Just imagine what nice pictures you can click from the surroundings and the top of the monastery. They will be something to make your social media followers envy you. Better not procrastinate and book an exciting trip to the Gonhgye monastery now with the Himalayan guide team.
FAQs
Q: Why should I visit a monastery during Tsum Valley trek?
A: People who have trekked to the Tsum Valley highly recommend visiting the monasteries of the region as that is one great way to explore the local cultural beauty of the region. They have confessed that they get a strong feeling of peace and spirituality amidst the draining trek. You can meditate and reflect while enjoying the natural beauty of the surroundings.
Q: Is there a direct flight to Tsum Valley from Kathmandu?
A: No. There is not a direct flight to Tsum Valley and that is why you have to trek for days to explore the beauty of the faraway land. It is great in a sense because you can explore the natural as well as cultural and religious beauty of this land on foot.
