Tabo
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Overview
Tabo, in the cold-desert Spiti valley of Himachal Pradesh, has one of the oldest Buddhist monasteries still in use in India.
The monastery was founded in 996 CE by the translator Rinchen Zangpo, under the patronage of the western Tibetan kings.
Its earthen buildings hold well-preserved murals and stucco images, and it is sometimes called the Ajanta of the Himalayas.
Tabo is in Lahaul and Spiti district, close to the Spiti river, and is protected by the Archaeological Survey of India.
The monastery has nine temples.
It is a protected site.
It has a mud-brick structure.
It is near the Spiti river.
Geography and key facts
- Spiti valley, Himachal Pradesh
- One of the oldest functioning Buddhist monasteries
- Founded 996 CE
- Rinchen Zangpo
- Lahaul and Spiti district
Why it matters for UPSC
Asked on the state where Tabo monastery lies (2009), monastery–state pairs (2006) and Buddhist heritage (2014).
Note for UPSC
Spiti; one of the oldest functioning monasteries.
Expect questions linking sites with events in the Buddha's life and later Buddhist history.
Asked in PYQs
- UPSC Prelims 2014 · Q89With reference to Buddhist history, tradition and culture in India, consider the following pairs : Famous shrine Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?…
- UPSC Prelims 2009 · Q15In which State is the Buddhist site Tabo Monastery located?…
- UPSC Prelims 2006 · Q66Which one of the following pairs is not correctly matched? Monastery — State…
Questions from our Prelims bank whose text names Tabo.
Key facts
- Type
- Buddhist site
- State / UT
- Himachal Pradesh
- Coordinates
- 32.080°N, 78.380°E
- Asked in Prelims
- 3 questions · 2014, 2009, 2006
From the Map Explorer data; positions are for orientation.
In the lessons
- Vedic Age, Mahajanapadas, Buddhism and Jainism (map lesson)
- Buddhism: Life of the Buddha, Teachings, Councils and Spread (map lesson)
- Buddhist, Rock-Cut and Early Sculptural Traditions (map lesson)