Drigung Til Monastery

It is the head monastery of the Drigungpa school of the Kagyupa order. It was first establishedd in 1167. Right now there are 270 monks at Drigung Til.

Drigung Til sprouts from a high, steep ridge overlooking the Drigung Valley. A steep thread of a path makes its way up into the monastic complex, although there is also vehicle access from the eastern end of the valley. The 180-degree views from the main courtyard are impressive and a serene stillness pervades the site.

The monastery kora heads up the hill to the main durtro. This is the holiest sky-burial site in the Lhasa region- people travel hundreds of kilometres to bring their deceased relatives here. Sometimes it's possible to observe a sky burial, but it is absolutely essential that you gain permission from both the family of the deceased and the senior lama who conducts the ceremony.