Story of Tawang Monestry

 

The name of Tawang is believed to have derived its name from the grandiose Tawang Monastery perched on the edge of the ridge running along the western part of Tawang township. The popular interpretation is that the name “Tawang” was given by his holiness the Mera Lama Lodre Gyatso.

“TA” means Horse and “Wang” means Chosen. As the legend goes the site of the present Monastery is believed to have been chosen by a Horse owned by Mera Lama Lodre Gyatso. Mera Lama Lodre Gyatso was in search of an appropriate place to establish a Monastery and was unable to locate an appropriate site. Finally, he decided to sit on prayer for the guidance of divine power. As he opened his eyes after prayer, he found his horse missing. So wearily he went out for searching for his horse and found it on top of a hill calm and quiet. Believed it a good omen, Mera Lama Lodre Gyatso decided to initiate work for building up of Monastery with the help of people living across the land of Monpa in the later part of the 17th century according to the wishes of the 5th Dalai Lama.

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