Founded in the 11th century, the Nako monastery is situated at Nako village in Himachal Pradesh's Spiti region. 'The walls of the Lotsawa Lhakhang (translator's temple) of the monastery feature beautifully painted mandalas.' The monastery is said to have been established by' famous translator Rinchen Zangpo, who translated Buddhist scriptures to the Tibetan language. He is supposed to have established 108 monasteries in this region in 11th century. Nako monastery is one of them. Situated by the Nako lake, this serene monastery, has been constructed on the pattern of the famous Tabo monastery and is divided into four halls.
The nearest prominent city is Manali, 310 km away. But buses and cabs ply from Kaza town, 111 km away.
One of the oldest and largest monasteries in the valley, it is also a centre for Buddhism studies.
Lhalung or Tayul gompa is among the oldest Tibetan Buddhism monasteries in Himachal Pradesh.
The oldest continuously functioning Buddhist monastery in India, five of the nine shrines inside its campus date from the 10th and 11th centuries.