Brahma Dung Chung Ani Gompa

Brahma Dung Chung Ani Gompa, also called Thukje Chueling, is a Buddhist nunnery about 10 km from Tawang, set among forested mountains and valleys. Its name is explained as the pure land of Brahma, while Ani Gompa refers to a monastery of nuns. Around 45 nuns live here, and it is one of the few such places managed by nuns alone. Lama Karchen Yeshi Gelek of Tsang in Tibet commissioned it in 1956 so that girls could train in Buddhist practice.

The nuns, who join by choice and rely on donations, circle the chorten daily, turn prayer wheels set into the stone walls, make small clay stupas called tsa-tsa, perform prostrations and paint thangkas. They light butter lamps in the evenings. Local stories tell of hidden treasure seen in a lama's vision, guardian spirits and a secret meditation cave.