indian state largest monastery india second largest world palace situated valley near small town northwestern close proximity border known translates paradise clear night founded accordance wishes 5th belongs school religious association continued period british rule monastery stories high enclosed feet long compound wall complex residential buildings library monastery valuable old scriptures mainly festivals celebrated monastery elaborate colorful etymology monastery means horse means chosen forms word meaning location selected horse means paradise means means divine meaning site chosen horse divine paradise location monastery situated near mountain elevation feet commanding view valley comprises snow capped mountains coniferous forest bounded southern western flanks steep formed streams narrow spur north gently sloping ground east monastery entered northern direction sloping spur alpine vegetation nearby named monastery connected road rail air services nearest rail head kilometres away road airport nearest airport road distance kilometres legends legends narrated establishment monastery legend said location present monastery selected horse belonged mission assigned 5th establish monastery intense search failed locate suitable place retired cave offer prayers seeking divine intervention choose site came cave found horse missing went search horse finally found grazing mountain called past palace king took divine guidance decided establish monastery location seeking help local people established monastery location second legend linked treasures location stated given resulted abbreviated form means initiation according legend white horse region people went search horse found horse grazing present location monastery people area horse location found year eventually honour sacred site built site legend narrated goddess painted monastery female deity compared like drawn black colour eyes dressed skirt tiger skin neck moon disc hair similar seen associated legend states past lived sri_lanka consort demon king practiced human sacrifice supportive practice fled kingdom running away king shot shot arrow struck riding drew arrow left hole gap watch teachings lord history monastery founded behest 5th contemporary experiencing difficulties building monastery chosen location ancient 5th issued people area provide help fix perimeter given ball length form limit monastery prior dominance sect buddhism black hat sect buddhism dominant resulted hostile approach founder problem compounded belonged sect tried invade control monastery built like fort structure strategic location chosen defense point view entered agreements agreement signed february surrender right return annual fee dated related order british administration india return annual fee seven officials travel plains collect monastic contributions according visited monastery monastery parliamentary form administration known chief monastery members dependent head government aspect supported visited monastery region india control agreement area came control british gave square miles territory including region monastery british disputed territory bone contention india china war china invaded india october northeastern border forcing indian army retreat occupied including monastery months china claimed belonged war 14th fled journey crossed india march reached taken shelter monastery days moving years later spite strong protests china visit november monumental event people region abbot monastery greeted fanfare monastery monks number reported established monastery august manuscripts manuscripts treated preservation november reported monastery threatened possible landslide risk times_of_india reporting massive landslides professor united_kingdom acknowledged landslide expert wrote northern flank site appears consist landslide reasons clear river flows south toe slope site outside bend long term erosion toe need prevented site preserved monastery currently control district monastery administrative control headed monk built known south west district collect taxes preach buddhism monastery owns lands villages patches villages cultivated farmers share produce monastery present resident head monastery features entrance outer walls entrance monastery colourful gate structure known built shape like structure walls built stone masonry roof features interior walls murals saints painted distinctive mural ninth mural southwest west corner southern wall protector deity religion considered guardian deity region ahead main gate south entry open gate main entrance monastery south open gate massive doors fitted northern wall outer wall feet length heights varying feet apart main gate southern monastery entry gate massive door nearer gate small openings wall provide complete view exterior eastern wall connects according legend 5th given roll thread bound walls monastery denote extent monastery built main buildings monastery built like large mansion triple large assembly hall functional structures residential quarters students monks monastery school water supply facility centre buddhist cultural studies ground floor monastery ritual dances performed walls monastery buddhist deities saints suspended balcony painted buddhist symbols monastery residential buildings accommodate monks houses monks abbot monastery resides house located near gate southeastern corner monastery notable feature wall porch ground floor foot print stone slab said foot print belonged resident monastery water carrier known served monastery long time fine day announced completed service monastery stamped left foot stone slab created formation step step miracle view belief people region imprint stone slab created divine person true monastery main temple main temple monastery west entry gate known means assembly means building built large image feet height decorated lotus position image northern face assembly hall installed platform head extends floor image silver holds special goddess guardian deity monastery said painted blood drawn nose 5th renders ethereal living quality image known donated monastery 5th main temple fell dilapidated condition renovated traditional buddhist architectural style decorated paintings murals carvings sculptures forth library texts monastery printing press printing religious books paper locally wooden blocks printing books usually refer conducting religious rituals entire second floor houses library contains scriptures affected insect attacks collection library consists printed books volumes commentaries buddhist teachings sets translated version buddhist teachings volumes sets printed printed sets volumes set volumes volumes letters books washed gold religious text letters washed gold pages stage sacred scriptures lost reason attributed monks monastery visit winter time past monks demanded image gifted accepted monastery result refused sacred texts records took away books customs festivals belong sect dominant sect region boys join monastery young boys join monastery train condition lifetime commitment monk wishes leave monastery heavy penalty levied according past custom family sons middle son monastery family sons youngest son inducted monastery main festivals held monastery festival religious scriptures monasteries following religious villagers carry scriptures agricultural land seeking good yield crops protect attack wild animals festival marks beginning new year people visit monastery offer prayers known annual festival exclusively held monastery held according buddhist calendar days 28th 30th corresponds january calendar celebration objective festival ward evil spirits round prosperity happiness people ensuing year day festival dances performed artists colorful costumes masks held courtyard including performed monks monastery dance represents myth costumes masks represent animal forms cows tigers sheep forth
Tawang Monastery