In Mustang’s Lo-Ghekar Damodarkunda Municipality-4, the historically significant Luri Monastery located in Yara is fading into obscurity. Due to a lack of promotion and awareness of its religious and historical significance, this 800-year-old monastery, located inside a cave, needs preservation.
According to Ani Thakpa Dolkar, the nun of the monastery, Luri Monastery belongs to the Nyingma tradition, a school of Vajrayana Buddhism, and was established in the 12th century. Situated at an elevation of nearly 4,000 meters above sea level, Luri Monastery is a unique religious treasure. It can be accessed by a narrow path and staircase leading to three caves within the mountain.
When one reaches the courtyard, there is a wooden staircase. The main area of the monastery, where the lama practices, is located in a cave within the mountain. Ani Dolkar mentioned that the chorten (stupa) of Luri Monastery is a natural one.
Around the chorten, there is a small area where visitors can perform circumambulation. The murals here date back to the 15th century. The monastery features wall paintings, books, ancient thangkas, and a statue of Padmasambhava, as the stones of the mountain itself were used to build the structure. There is a historical belief that the then King of Lhokha, who had married a Bhutanese princess, built the Luri Monastery to please his wife.
Locals refer to it as Luri Kawung. Another legend tells of a lama named Kunchang Jhalu, who was born in Yara and achieved spiritual enlightenment. It is believed that he meditated and gained wisdom at the monastery. Locals also consider the mountain peak above the monastery as Kunchang Jhalu Lama’s residence.
Below the main monastery, near the Peyung River, another smaller monastery has been built. Ani Dolkar shared that regular prayers and rituals are conducted at both monasteries. Near Luri Monastery, in the villages of Yara and Gharag, there are facilities like dharmashalas (guesthouses) and hotels.
To reach Luri Monastery from Charang, the center of Loghekar Damodarkunda Municipality, one can travel by vehicle for about an hour through Dhyekhola, Dhee, Surkhang, and Yara, and then take a 20-minute walk to the monastery along the path leading to Damodarkunda. It is also accessible from Lomanthang via the Luri Circuit trekking route. On the way to Gharag from Charang, visitors can view the uniquely shaped mountains of Dhee, Surkhang, and Yara.
Both Loghekar Damodarkunda Municipality and the Gandaki Province government have worked to improve access to Luri Monastery by marking the stone stairs leading to it and creating a trekking path.
According to Ward Chairman Pasang Gurung, a paved path of about 300 meters has been constructed on a steep slope with a budget of NPR 15 lakh from both the municipality and provincial government. This year, a budget of NPR 5 lakh has been allocated for the construction of a public toilet, as stated by Chairman Gurung.
