Gemur Monastery

Gemur Monastery is a Tibetan Buddhist site in the Lahaul and Spiti district with multiple prayer halls and stupas decorated with paintings, sculptures, and religious artworks. The interior spaces display traditional Buddhist iconography and craftsmanship typical of this mountain region.

The monastery was founded in 1300 at a higher elevation and relocated to its present lower hilltop location in 1870 under the direction of local religious leaders. This move reflected changing needs and conditions in the community at that time.

Sculptures of deities Marichi and Vajravarahi fill the prayer spaces, while wall paintings and devotional objects show how Buddhist teachings shape the daily spiritual life here. These artworks reveal what matters most to the people who come to worship.

Visiting requires a walk of about 700 meters from Gemur village, which sits roughly 17 kilometers from Keylong in the valley below. The warmer months offer the best access when mountain paths are easiest to navigate.

Each June the Tshechu Fair takes place here, where performers in elaborate masks present the cham, a traditional masked dance unique to Tibetan Buddhist communities. This colorful celebration draws visitors from across the region.