“Living in a monastery, even as a guest rather than a monk, you have more opportunities than you might have elsewhere to see the world as it is, instead of through the shadow that you cast upon it.”

This fabulous quote by Dean Koontz was possibly one the reasons that drove my heart to a famous old monastery in Manali named the Gadhan Thekchhokling Gompa Monastery despite of having a scheduled plan in the Parvati Valley. And boy oh boy, the quote lived up to each of its word giving me a mesmerizing and life changing experience to perceive the world.

I started my journey from Kasol Main Square via a 12:15 hours bus with a promise to reach Manali Bus stand by 16:00 hours. However, due to traffic jams, road blocks and stoppages, the bus got me there at 17:00 hours. Nevertheless, my connecting bus was at 21:00 hours back to New Delhi. I was all set for the monastery visit.

Reaching the monastery is literally a cakewalk as it is in the heart of Manali, a few metres away from the famous Mall Road. As it grew dark, the setting sun lighted up the blue skies with its yellow painting giving a beautiful sky porn. The experience was simply magnificent. The moment I saw the building, I felt peace in my heart. The creative work, wall paintings, streamers, etc added so much charm to the place. If the outside was good, the one served inside was even better. I cant remember the last time I went to a place this quiet. From meeting monks to meditating in the corridors, the experience was worth a life time. Any day, I plan to go back to Himachal once again, the Gadhan Thekchhokling Gompa Monastery is going to be my first location in the schedule.