The Gyanak Mani Temple is the largest collection of carved prayer stones (mani stones) in Tibet. There are several billion prayer stones stacked 3 meters / 10 feet high in a 1 square kilometer area. There is a row of 8 chortens (stupas) on the far eastern end as well as a small temple located in the middle. Prayer flags cover the entire area.
There are several stories about how the mani temple came into existence. According to many local people, it was founded by a lama from Chamdo. The lama went on a retreat to China and passed through the Jyekundo area on his return. He decided to build a house in the region and lived there for many years in seclusion. One day after meditating, he had a revelation and decided to build a mani temple. Supposedly 2 naturally occuring prayer stones were found at the current Gyanak Mani site. The lama considered this to be an auspicious sign and dedicated it as a site for a mani temple. Many monks and local people then started carving mani stones. Today, people continue to carve mani stones to add to the huge, growing pile.
The Gyanak Mani Temple is famous in the northern Kham region of Tibet. Many pilgrims can be seen walking the kora around the temple each day. People around the temple sell carved prayer stones. The stones vary in size. Some are small enough to fit in the palm of your hand, while others weigh more than 50kg / 110lbs. Each prayer stone is carved with the classic Tibetan mantra "O Ma Ni Pad Me Hum". During Losar (Tibetan New Year) many thousands of pilgrims and worshippers can be seen walking around the temple.
The Gyanak Mani Temple is located 5km / 3 miles east of Jyekundo in the small village of Sengze. You can take a can taxi from Jyekundo to the temple sight for Y10. There are also public buses that go out to the temple several times every hour. The price is Y1 per person. There is no admission fee to go to the temple.
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