At a distance of 8 km from Dharamshala(India,h.p) and 13 km from McLeod Ganj(India,h.p), Gyuto Monastery is located at Sidbhari(India,h.p) on the main road to Palampur(India,h.p).
The Gyuto Monastery is one of the most famous monasteries and specializes in the study of Tantric meditation, Tantric ritual arts and Buddhist philosophy. It was founded in Tibet in 1474 by the main disciple of the first Dalai Lama, Jetsun Kunga Dhondup. After the communist Chinese invasion of Tibet in 1959, the monastery was re-established in India.
It is the abode of Karmapa, the Head of the Kagyu Tibetan Buddhism. Karmapa means the one who carries out buddha-activity or the embodiment of all the activities of the Buddha. Also called TCV School, the main chamber of the monastery has a majestic statue of the Buddha and with the backdrop of the snow-clad Dhauladhar Mountains. Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorje houses nearly 200 monks who practice the major Tantric texts including Guhyasamaja, Chakrasamvara and Yamantaka. They have passed these lineages to the younger generation of monks for more than 500 years.
Visitors can also take part in the prayers on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Buses are available from the main bus stand at Dharamsala to the Monastery.
