This is also known as Gangtey monastery and is located on high ground right in the middle of the Gangteng village , at the entrance to the vast and beautiful Phobjika valley . Gangtey monastery is an important seat of Bhutanese Nyingma school of Buddhism and was built in early 17th century.
The monastery is deeply inspiring from the moment you enter the outer gate . The main building of monastery bursts into view with a stunning effect . This is without any doubt one of the most beautiful buildings in Bhutan. A large expanse of a stone-flagged courtyard in front adds to the grandeur and the monastery is flanked on all three sides by a row of low buildings that serve as offices and living quarters for the monks .
The façade of the monastery is a complete work of art , with ornate balconies, multi -tiered winged roof , Bhutanese gargoyles at the corners, and beautiful line of gilded prayer wheels that are standard in all monasteries. This monastery is a photographers’ delight such that a hundred pictures of the structure would not capture it all. You don’t want to take your eyes off this scene as you stand admiring the beauty of this structure. Words cannot explain the feeling of peace and devotion one feels here.
The monastery nurtures monks of all stages , starting from very young boys to seniors. We witnessed dozens of them engaged in removing blades of grass growing in the gaps between stones in the courtyard. We could see that the monks manage all apsects of their monastic life including the daily chores , gardening, playing football and so on.
The interior houses a beautiful Buddhist temple in traditional style . Unfortunately, photography is not permitted inside any temple in Bhutan. In some ways this is a good thing in that you have to be there to experience it and no amount of photos would do justice to the look and feel of a temple .
Gangtey Monastery is famous for another aspect of a unique natural phenomenon that plays out year after every year . Black –necked cranes arrive at Phobjika valley from Tibet during the months of late October to Mid-February and interestingly, they are said to circumambulate the Gangtey monastery three times before they land on the valley floor and similarly repeat the performance while departing a few months later. Phobjika valley is synonymous with black-necked cranes and a black-neck crane festival is held at the gangtey monastery on 11 November every year when traditional dances performed by artistes and monks dressed as black necked cranes.