Simbiling Monastery

Simbiling Monastery is a Tibetan Buddhist monastery near Taklakot situated on a ridge overlooking the Karnali River, containing over 100 rooms throughout its mountainous complex. The structure incorporates the sloped terrain and consists of multiple connected sections arranged vertically on the hillside.

The monastery was founded in 1650 as a significant Buddhist center in the region. It endured severe damage during the 1960s but restoration efforts began in 2003 to repair its structures.

The temple halls display religious banners and textiles that tell stories of Buddhist teachings through imagery. These objects serve visitors as a visual guide to understanding the spiritual practices of the monastery community.

Access throughout the site involves using stairs and ladders to navigate between different elevation levels. Visitors should prepare for mountainous terrain and altitude as movement between areas requires physical effort.

The Tsegu Gompa, a nine-story section, requires visitors to climb external ladders and stairs between its levels for access. This makes exploring this part of the monastery a memorable physical challenge that few spaces demand.