“Blessed over 1000 years ago Yangzer Monastery is the oldest monastery in Dolpo. Nestling south of beautiful Panzang Canyon, the monastery is also referred as Margom Yangzer. Though Sonam Lodro is somehow related with the wonderful landmark in Dolpo, this Nyingma-pa Buddhist shrine was built by Choegyal Palsang. Nine major chortens with twenty others dotted around, the monastery also acquires a huge bend chorten that stands separately dominating the entire monastic area.”

Despite being a small structural edifice the monastery houses few wonderfully crafted images. The admired paintings of Sakyamuni Buddha, Guru Rinpoche, Chenresig in addition to Dorje Chang, standing Green Tara, alarming protector Mahakal and eight medicating ways of Buddha make the artistic aspect of the monastery so beautiful that every visitor inside the monastery is privileged to sight the amazing paintings in the remote region like this in Dolpo. Yangzer Monastery in Upper Dolpo also houses revered texts like translated words of Buddha, archive of teachings by Padma Wanggyal of Ngari.

“The monastery celebrates a major festival that falls during the 11^th Tibetan month, which varies every year. Initially the sacrificial cakes made up of Tsampa along with the local liquor, Chang are offered to the protective deity. Then on the second day, the offering of sacrificial cakes continues with the vibrant masked dances performed in the premises of main monastery. The third day observes the recitation of text that unifies the precious ones with the masked dances that go on all night. The fourth and the final day of the Yangzer Festival celebrates with huge feast and several local and traditional performances.”