Ki Gompa also known as the ki, kye or kee, is a biggest Buddhist monastery and a religious training center of Lamas of Spiti Valley. Spiti valley is the remote mountain Region in the Himalayas comes under the Himachal pradesh state in India. View from Top is very photogenic and offers stunning views of the barren valley below. It is located on top of a hill at an altitude of 4,166 metres (13,668 ft) above sea level, close to the Spiti River, in the Spiti Valley of Himachal Pradesh, Lahaul and Spiti district, India. The monastery of Kee, for instance, accommodates nearly 250 monks, who reside within the sacred walls in winter, and stay during the summer with their parents or brothers, working in the fields, or employed in carrying travellers goods. An atmospheric puja is held in the new prayer hall every morning at around 7am (8am in winter). Why It’s shape like this? Kee was attacked by mongols in 14th and 17th century, it was sacked in 1820 during the war between Laddakh andkulu. In 1841 it was severely damaged by dogra! army under Guam khan and Rahim khan , later more damaged by SikhArmy. An earthquake in 1975 caused further Number of destructions and patch up jobs have made the structure likethat, it looks like Fort.
Structure :
Ki gompa comes in the ‘Pasada’ style of monastery. There are three floors the first one is underground and used for storage, ground floor has the assembly hall and cell for many monks, the wall of the monastery are covered with paintings, monastery has great collection of ancient murals, Buddha images and idol. The monastery is a wonderful example of the monastic architecture. It has a rich collection of ancient murals and books including Buddha imagesThe monks are so hospitable and warm. they welcome you with open heart and offer herbal tea. Monks will show youaround the different prayer rooms and assembly halls filled with holy relics. you can visit the library where allthe books are stored in a systematic method that never destroyed the books
Address: Key, Himachal Pradesh 172114, India
Founder: Dromtön
Date established: 11th century
Sect: Gelug
Best Time to visit:
The most exciting time to visit is late June or early July, Every year sacred Kalachakra ceremony is celebrated in the months of June and July when a festival involving chaam dancing and the ceremonial burning of butter sculptures draws large numbers of pilgrims. The best way to visit there is to take the Chandigarh-Rohtang Pass-Kaza route. The monastery is around 12 km north of Kaza and can be reached by covering a distance of 210 ka from Manali to Kaza.