Tengboche Monastery (3,867 m)

Introduction

Tengboche Monastery (3,867 m) in a thin air elevation around the Everest region is encased as the paradise of spirituality and preaches of Buddhism. The Buddhist traditions are enveloped within the peaceful environment, and the monastery serves the majestic view of Mount Everest, Mount Ama Dablam and other peaks.

The foundation of the monastery dates back around 1900s, since then it has been the time-honored sanctuary of Sherpa heritage. The Monastery is a religious center for Sherpa, and also serves as the religious flagbearer of the Everest heritage.

Trekkers and Everest summiteers love to spend time here and nearby this venerated monument in Khumbu valley. The sublimity of its appearance in between the ranges of highest peak in the world, proves itself as the architectural jewel of true Himalayan faith in Spirituality and Tibetan Buddhism culture.

There is Nyingma tradition, a followed tradition in the Monastery. Monks and nuns meditate there their whole life for the spiritual awakening and Buddhism enlightenment. Their dedication proves the power of sacred epiphany in the Monastery. There are many lively festivals like Mani Rimdu when the monastery feels vibrant.

The structure of the Monastery was devastated by earthquake in Nepal in 1934, and was a bit ruined in 2015 earthquake too. The Monastery was reconstructed and rebuilt in its original spirit with collective efforts of Sherpa, resilience of local monks and monastic perseverance.

Everest trail features this monastery as an icon. The glimpse of Tengboche is blessed with Rhododendron all around. The meditative enclave provokes the inner illumination of monks, nuns, trekkers and visitors.

In 1989, the great Dalai Lama visited and beatified this heavenly monastery. That 1989 involvement of Dalai Lama reconsecrated its essence as one of the cardinal pilgrimage site of Buddhist and Everest treasury.

Prayers for the peace of the world and the nation, are enchanted daily. The preaching from the Lama Gurus is an everyday endowment. The surrounding of this monastery feels so blissful and showcases Bodhisattva legacy.

You will pass through Tengboche during your Everest Base Camp Trip.

Tengboche, a cultural prominence

Khumbu Heritage: The axis of Buddhism and Sherpa legacy is perfectly defined with the presence of the monastery. Khumbu valley is blessed with its own authentic traditions, Sherpa norms, Buddhist values, vibrant festivals and cornerstone of monastic discipline.

Thangka Paintings: The symbolic Thangka art and paintings of Tengboche Monastery are world famous. They represent the refinement of Himalayan faith and Buddhist deities. Thangka paintings are sold by the locals too, you can buy it.

Mani Rimdu, A Vibrant Festival: Mani Rimdu is one of the very popular festival celebrated at Tengboche, in which masked dances are displayed. All of this define the way how Buddhism preaches are narrated, and making this a cultural masterpiece of storytelling of Buddhist learnings and teachings.

Sherpa Resilience against disasters: Tengboche Monastery being devastated by earthquake in Nepal in 1934, and was a bit ruined in 2015 earthquake too. The Monastery was reconstructed and rebuilt in its original spirit with collective efforts of Sherpa, resilience of local monks and monastic perseverance.

Pillar of enlightenment: Tengboche is the pivotal enlightenment plinth for seekers seeking education in Buddhist traditional rituals and their related philosophies. The preaching and learning is centered in the monastery as Lamas and Gurus are celebrated like the pillars of enlightenment.

Architectural ornament: Architecture of this monastery is influenced by the Tibetan design. The roofs are golden. The monastery is surrounded with prayer wheels. With every spin, prayer wheels are believed to release or sway enchants and peace prayers in the nature.

Tengboche Monastery: An Icon of Everest tourism

An aura of Everest heritage: Tengboche Monastery, an aura of Everest heritage facilitates the mandatory visit for the trekkers. From the long walk and travel, trekkers demand relief destinations, one being this monastery. To explore the Himalayan living culture, the monastery demands culture conscious visitors.

Destination to Acclimatize: Trekkers consider Tengboche as a destination to acclimatize. The surrounding of the monastery has many lodges, teahouses which serves the trekkers with comfortable living experiences amid alpine quest trekking.

Sustainable Tourism: Everest tourism is focused as sustainable tourism which assures the services and hospitality without hampering its true essence and authenticity. Tengboche, for the international community stands as the beacon of environmental conservation too.

Stories of Tengboche: Guides tell you about stories of Tengboche, checking every boxes of pleasant trek feeling. Also, the stories of Lama Gurus, their anecdotes and majestic preaching are hear worthy.

Sherpa and Locals, as breadwinner: Flourish of Tourism industry around Everest Region, EBC, and Tengboche employs more than 80% of locals. Sherpa are backbone of the Everest summits, climbing, rescuing, as a porter, lodge owners, way guiding and route fixing.

Respect for Sherpa community: Respect for Sherpa community is very relevant to hinge the Tengboche and its future also to ensure you success of the trip. Wherever we go, we should behold the cultural aspect and gain positivity from the related culture. The respect for the environment and their hospitality should not be demanded, but should be offered.

Food and Accommodation: Many lodges, teahouses which serves the trekkers with comfortable living experiences amid Himalayan surrounding blending their hospitality and traditional odysseys. Various Sherpa cuisines and Tibetan food menu items are available to explore and rejoice your emotions for food.

Photogenic destination: The sunrise and sunset views of the monastery with golden hours in dawn and dusk, blesses your camera reel. It looks so great when the sun hits the snowcapped tallest mountains in the world. The rooftop views from lodges and tea houses glimpse you of 360 panorama view.

UNESCO world heritage site: Being located in the Sagarmatha National Park, which is a UNESCO world heritage site, the monastery really is a destination of mountain pilgrimage and thin air trekking.

Tengboche Monastery spreading light for Environmental conservation

• Monks teach the trekkers to protect alpine ecology and promote the eco-friendly methods of waste management.
• To stand against climate change and environmental degradation, afforestation and reforestation programs are conducted during the expeditions including locals, monks, and visitors.
• Tengboche is powered by renewable source of energy, solar energy. Solar panels are used to display environmental sustainability in tourism.
• Endangered species are protected well and wildlife conservation is promoted.
• Water conservation techniques like Rainwater harvesting are adopted in the monastery and nearby.

Relationship between Tengboche and Everest

Threshold for Everest journey: Tengboche monastery is the passage to Everest. Trekkers take blessings before trekking and Everest climbers or summiteers pray for their success and takes blessings from the monastery, gurus and lamas.

Khumbu Heritage: The axis of Buddhism and Sherpa legacy is perfectly defined with the presence of the monastery. Khumbu valley is blessed with its own authentic traditions, Sherpa norms, Buddhist values, vibrant festivals and cornerstone of monastic discipline.

Meditation and acclimatization: Before the preparation for Everest summit and Everest Base Camp (EBC), people acclimatize here and meditate for their spiritual awakening. Meditation before reaching their target destination, keeps them energized, calm and collected during the challenge.

The Everest view: The monastery serves the majestic view of Mount Everest, Mount Ama Dablam and other peaks. The ranges look so beautiful when the sun rays hit the snow, in the dawn and the dusk.

Edmund Hillary’s history: After Tenzing Norgay and Edmund Hillary ascended Mount Everest for the first time, it has been more like a ritual for climbers to once stop at Tengboche before the expedition.

Axis of effort and belief: Tengboche monastery serves as a blend of religious belief and continuous effort to trek up the trail. So, it is an axis of effort and belief. The connection of divine aspiration relates with the will power and intent to reach the target peak.