An ancient Buddhist temple in India is celebrating its annual festival next month.
A traditional Buddhist festival is just one of the many cultural attractions in store for those catching flights to India this summer.
The annual celebration of Yuru Kabgyat takes place during the month of June at the ancient Lamayaru Monastery, which dates back more 850 years.
Known to the locals at Yuru Gonpa, this temple in the Ladakh region of Northern India was founded by monks from the Drikungpa School of Tibetan Buddhism.
The temple’s founder Nimagon visited the site on which it stands in 1143 AD and, upon seeing that the entire valley was full of water, he said “may a monastery be founded in this place”, made offerings to the gods, and the water drained away.
Visitors to this sacred monastery are expected to give a small donation towards the upkeep of the building and the living expenses of the 200 llamas that call it their home.
Later on in the summer, Buddhists in India will be celebrating the birthday of the 14th Dalai Lama, who will be 76-years-old on July 6th.
Written by Ruth Norris.
