The Bomdila Gompa or Bomdila Monastery is also known as GRL Gompa - Gontse Gaden Rabgyel Lling monastery.
The monastery is a home to Buddhist Lamas and monks at Bomdila and is one of the most important centers of the Lamaistic faith of Mahayana Buddhism.
The Gompa is a replica of the Tsona Gontse monastery at Tsona in southern Tibet. The huge and colorful building of the Gompa is certainly a divine site to watch that gives immense peace and tranquility to the mind and body.
The Gompa has a prayer hall that is used by the Lamas and the monks for peaceful prayers. The monks have residential quarters near the main Gompa. The senior Lamas or the monks of the monastery educate the young Lamas on the Tantrayana practices and on the monastic life and tradition.
The main Gompa is divided into - Lower Gompa, Middle Gompa and Upper Gompa, of which the Upper Gompa is the main monastery.
The Lower Gompa is located at the end of the main market. It reflects the beautiful Tibetan architecture. The huge prayer hall is located inside this Gompa.
The Middle Gompa is located about 2 km from the main market. It houses the Blue Medicine Buddha whom the locals believe heals all diseases and is the Lord of Medication. Healing happens in the form of meditation and prayers.
The Upper Gompa is the main monastery. It has a school for the children of the monks, a prayer hall and a temple of Lord Buddha. This main Gompa attracts a number of tourists every year and gives an insight into the peaceful and divine principles of Buddhism.
It is a belief that ringing the bell of the Gompa fulfills ones wish.
GRL Gompa, also known as Gentse Gaden Rabgyel Ling Monastery, is located in West Kameng District of Arunachal Pradesh. It is the Upper Gompa of Bomdila, the administrative headquarters of West Kameng District. The monastery was built by the 12th reincarnate of Tsona Gontse Rinpoche in 1965–66. The monastery resembles the Tsona Gontse Monastery, at Tsona in South Tibet.
Lower Gompa, based at the end of Bazaar Street, is situated in the middle of the town. Tourists visiting the lower gompa can see beautiful Tibetan architecture and huge prayer hall located inside this gompa.
Middle Gompa is situated at a distance of approximately 2 km from the main market. This gompa houses the Blue Medicine Buddha, on which healers focus their prayers as well as meditations. One of the oldest gompas of all the three, photography is not allowed inside any of the gompas.
Upper Gompa, also renowned as the Gentse Gaden Rabgyel Ling Monastery, is located on a steep hill. This gompa houses a school for monk kids, a prayer hall and a temple of Lord Buddha. In addition, this gompa entices several tourists every year because it portrays various shades of life and traditions of Buddhism.