Key monastery at Spiti valley, Himachal Pradesh

The Key Monastery in Spiti, Himachal

Located at an altitude of 4166 metres above sea level, the Key Gompa Tibetan monastery rests on a hilltop near the Spiti river. The colourful history of the region has seen Key under attack by the Moghuls, the Dogras, and other armies. A fire in 1840 and an earthquake in 1975 also caused damage to this monastery, which was restored by the Archeological Survey of India.

Inside, you can see the walls adorned with paintings and murals that tell of a clearly Chinese influence. There is also a collection of books, and Buddha images. The Key monastery can accommodate 250 monks, who live here during winter months, and go back to their families or jobs during the summer.