Built on the Yaladuo Mountain in Nagchu, Zandan Monastery built in 1668, looks like the Potala Palace and is thus called the "Little Potala Palace" in Tibet. Located about 220 kilometers away from downtown of Nagqu, the monastery is very grand and spectacular. The whole monastery can be divided into red architectural complex and white architectural complex.
The appearance of Zandan Monastery looks like Potala Palace from afar. It is said that Tibetans prepared to build the Zandan Monastery based on the style of Potala Palace at first. But some parts of the blueprint were lost on back way. Hence, Zandan Monastery is not completely same with Potala Palace. The Zandan Monastery is the earliest monastery of Gelug Sect in Northern Tibet, as well as the largest Buddhism ancient architectural complex in Northern Tibet.
The Zandan Monastery treasures a large amount of precious Buddha statues, frescos and Buddhism scriptures. They are with high value of culture and historic and art.
Festivals in Zandan Monastery
Thanking God Festival
In the first three days of each year in Tibetan Calendar, the Zandan Monastery in Suo County will celebrate Thanking God Festival to get all living creatures blessed. It will be took part in by 80 monks. During this festival, the main activity in Zandan Monastery is religious dance. They integrate secular affairs and religion, God and human, divine world and immortal world. Each action of religious dance expresses their appreciation, prayer and reverence to divine world and religious pure land. The festival is not only enjoyed by monks in Zandan Monastery. Monks in Suo County will come to take part in this grand meeting.
Prayer Festivals
In December, May and July of each year in Tibetan Calendar, Zandan Monastery will celebrate Guduo Religious Prayer Festival, Jiren Prayer Festival and Bengsong Prayer Festival. In these festivals, Tibetans in each town of Suodang County and monks in far and near monastery will gather in Zandan Monastery to enjoy the festivals.
About the Author - Master Catherine Jigme
With exceptional passion and outstanding leadership, Mrs. Catherine has dedicated herself to Tibet inbound tourism and China tour for 15 years. As one of the handful females who see great potential of Chinese inbound tourism, Catherine has made great contribution to promoting Tibet tourism and enhancing the employment of Tibetans and prosperity of local Tibetan community.
Over the years, she travelled overseas with Tibet Tourism Bureau many times to promote Tibet tourism. Currently, Catherine works as the marketing director of Tibet Vista, an opinion leader behind the whole team of Tibet Vista.
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