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Monasteries in Leh

Thangkas and some of the monasteries also have a collection of precious  manuscripts, many statues of Buddha as well as musical instruments and colorful masks which are used for ceremonies and at the time of festivals. Every monastery has many prayer flags on which prayers are written and they are fixed horizontal or vertical so that they have maximum exposure to wind and flatter at every blow of wind. The flags flattered by the wind, multiplied by the time prayers are written on them, are conveyed to Lord Buddha. These flags also pay an important role for the outer decoration of a monastery and create the religious atmosphere. In Leh, monasteries may be either of the Mahayana or the Hinayana sect of Buddhism. The monasteries are traditional centers of culture, religious activities and power. The head lama is called a 'kushak', meaning reincarnation. The monasteries give the region its unique flavor and beauty. Typically, most gompas are built so that they perch precariously on lone rocks or craggy mountain-faces. The monasteries also owe big lands. The monasteries in Leh earlier depended only on the donations from the villagers. Now most of them are charging a small amount as entry fee which is used for the maintenance and restoration work. The visitor should keep in mind that they are not visiting a museum but a religious place. Visitors are expected to wear dresses that do not expose their body too much. Visitors should remove their shoes before entering the monastery and should not eat, drink or smoke. The mural, paintings and other religious objects and decorative parts should not be touched. One should photograph only if this is allowed as per the guidelines (like avoid flashlights). The most visited monasteries in Leh are Shey, Thiksey, Hemis and Spituk. Other magnificent Gompas located near Leh are the Alchi, Lamayuru, Likir, Phyang, Rizdong, Stakna, Matho and Chemery. All these Gompas are easily accessible from Leh.

Lamayuru Monastery
On the way from Kargil to Leh, you will visit the Lamayuru monastery, one of the mysterious and the oldest monastery of Ladakh. The Lamayuru monastery is situated about 10 kms from Leh, on a big rock overlooking the Indus River. This monastery was founded in the 10th century. According to the legends, Lamayuru was a lake. It was blessed by a Lama after which the water of the lake receded up to the mountains leaving place for the monastery to be built. It is believed that one of the great Tibetan teachers, Norapa, meditated here for several years. Like all other Ladakh monasteries, it is also a complex of buildings with shrines dedicated to different gods and incarnations of Lord Buddha.

The complex, thought to be the oldest in the region, was founded in the 11th century and belongs to the Tibetan Kagyupa sect. It was partly destroyed in the 19th century. Some of the murals, however, which are a combination of Indian and Tibetan styles have been preserved. The main hall of this monastery is very impressive and houses numerous Thangkas and is worth a visiting place. There are caves carved out of the mountain wall and some of the rooms are richly furnished with carpets, Tibetan tables and butter lamps. Also known as Yung Drung (Swastika) it is sited on a high hill overlooking the village and valley. For sheer spectacle value no other gompa can match Lamayuru. The Yundrung Kabgyad festival is held during summer on the 28th and 29th days of the 2nd Tibetan month.

Alchi Gompa (monastery and temple complex), on the banks of the Indus river. Alchi is regarded as one of the most important Buddhist centers in Ladakh and also as the monastic jewels of Ladakh. The Alchi monastery dates back to nearly one thousand years and so the effect of the Tibetan influence can be seen in the local culture. There are five shrines in the Choskor temple complex which has some splendid wall paintings. One of its walls features thousands of miniature sized pictures of the Buddha. Three large sized images made of clay painted brightly are its focal attraction. No longer an active religious center, it is looked after by monks from the Likir monastery. Since last 500 years, the religion is not practiced in the Alchi monastery. Over a period of time the Yellow hat sect (Gelugpa) shifted the religious activities to another place which is 30 kms away, known as Likir. The surrounding of the Gompa offers a very friendly atmosphere for the visitors as there are small restaurants, tea stalls and as well as souvenir shops welcoming the tourists. The visitors who have a very less time to visit Leh can have an excursion to the Alchi monastery.

How to reach Alchi:
By Air:
The nearest airport is located at Leh, about 70 km from Alchi.

By Road:
Alchi is situated about 541 km from Manali and 364 km from Srinagar.

Where to stay in Alchi:
During peak season, some of the guesthouses operate in Alchi. Alternatively, accommodation can also be booked in Leh.

sides by the colourful prayer flags which flutter in the breeze and send the prayers to Lord Buddha. The main building has white walls. The entrance to the complex is through a big gate which reaches to a big courtyard. The stones of the walls are decorated and also painted with the religious figures. On the north side there are two assembly halls which are accessed by the stairs. As in most of the monasteries one can also see here the guardian deities and the Wheel of Life. Both of them are in good condition. The Hemis monastery also has an important library of Tibetan styles books and a very impressive and valuable collection of Thangkas, gold statues and Stupas embedded with precious stones. One of the largest Thangkas is also displayed every 11 year during the festival time. The annual festival, commemorating the birth anniversary of Guru Padmasambhava, is held for two days in June-July, enlivening the courtyard of the monastery. The festival of dances, where good triumphs over evil in a colourful pageant, is also the annual 'bazaar' where Ladakhis from remote areas buy and sell wares. During the festival time, various rituals and mask dances are performed in this courtyard. Hemis can be visited from Leh comfortably in one day if one is traveling by car or jeep.

day of the 6th month of Tibetan Calendar.  The Phyang Monastery was the first monastery, which introduced the Degungpa teaching of 'Skyob Jigsten Gonbo' in Ladakh. These teaching were introduced by Chosje Danma Kunga, during 16th century AD as King Jamyang Namgyal ruled. Another attraction of Phyang is the museum. This ancient 900 years old museum has a spectacular collection of Chinese, Tibetan and Mongolian articles including fire arms and weapons. After a recent renovation the monastery is worth visiting. Travellers can also make a visit to the Phyang lake just a few kilometers away.

kings. One of the attraction of the Shey is the victory stupa which is topped with gold. As there was attack from the Dogra military the royal family moved to Stock in order to escape. Much of the palace and fort have fallen into ruins. But on the eastern side there are extensive grounds with a large number of chortens. The Gompa of Shey along with Thikse is regarded as an auspicious place for cremation. The palace Gompa has a two storied 12 metre high gold statue of Maitreya Buddha (Buddha of future) which was commissioned by Senge Namgyal, sitting in meditation posture and brilliantly coloured murals. This figure is made of copper and brass and glided and studded richly with precious gem stones. Shey is the oldest of the three monasteries but at the same time it is not being used regularly and therefore opens only till nine in the morning. It is advised to leave early from Leh to visit the Shey monastery. Above and below are the almost ruined walls of the old summer capital of Ladakh. The Shey Palace was also the summer palace of the former Raja of Leh. The palace museum of the Shey has collection of beautiful royal costumes and jewellery, rare Thangkas (Thangkas are religious themes and icons painted and embroidered on cloth), porcelain, jade, weapons and armoury. On the 30th day of the 1st Tibetan month Shey celebrates Shey rul-lo and on the 10th day of the 7th Tibetan month, the Shey Surb-lo is held.

The Spituk Gompa was founded in 11th century by Od-De, the elder brother of Lha Lama Changchub-od. The Gompa was named Spituk (exemplary) by Rinchen Zangpo, a translator came to that place and said that exemplary religious community would rise. Initially the Gompa was run according to the Kadampa school then during the reign of king Gragspa Bumide he converted it to Gayluk Pa order. Many icons of Buddha and 5 thangkas can be visited in this 15th century monastery. The Dukhang Hall is the largest building and has two rows of seats running the length of the walls to a throne at the far end. Sculptures and miniature chortens are displayed on the altar. There is also a collection of ancient masks, antique arms and fine thangkas. Higher up the hill is the Mahakal Temple, containing the shrine of Vajrabhairava. The terrifying face of Vajrabhairva is unveiled only at the annual festival in January. Every year, on the 17th and 19th day of the 11th of the Bodhi month, the Gelukpa order of monks celebrate the Spituk festival known as Gustor. During the festival, the lamas wear the masks of religious deities and perform the dances, which is normally about good and evil and mythological stories related to the Buddhism.

Stok Monastery
Stok is situated about 10 kms south of Leh, on the west banks of the Indus river and close to the Choglamsar bridge. Stok is situated at the top of a huge moraine of pebbles swept down from the mountains. The elegant four-storey Stok Palace stands above barley terraces studded with threshing circles and whitewashed farmhouses. Stok is more a Palace than the monastery. This royal palace was built in 1825 by king Tsespal Tondup Namgyal as there were invasions by the Dogra forces. The last king died in 1974. The rest of the family including his son continued to use the palace and the prince was coroneted soon. Stok Palace has now become the home of the erstwhile royal family since they were ousted from Leh and Shey two hundred years ago. A former member of parliament, still lives here during the summer. One of the room is converted into Museum. The Palace Museum at Stok has wonderful royal thangkas, royal crowns, dresses, coins, antique ritual objects, ceremonial tea paraphernalia, swords, precious stones and turquoise head dresses (still used by Ladakh women as their traditions). The visiting hours of this museum is from 0700 – 1800.

 offers grand view of the Sindh Valley  below. The 12 storey monastery complex contains numerous stupas, statues, Thangkas, wall paintings, swords and a large pillar engraved with the Buddha's teachings. The monastery has around 10 temples which are full of interesting figures and other religious objects. Around100 monks of the yellow hat sect reside in this monastery. Just after the main entrance one can see a large statue of Buddha. This Buddha statue was constructed under the guidance of the present local head lama. This statue is 15 meters tall and was built in the year 1980. This statue of Buddha is the largest Buddha figure in Ladakh which took four years to built. The statue is made of clay and covered with gold paint. This wonderful Buddha statue was made entirely by the local craftsmen and represents Maitreya (the Buddha of future). Thiksey is known for its beautiful murals. The walls of the monastery is full with the religious figures, murals, Tibetan calendars and with the wheel of life. There is also a prayer room which contains many books, some of these books are handwritten or painted. Block printing is a recent modern addition to the hand written work. In the main prayer hall there is a image of Sakyamuni (the past Buddha) with two Bodhisattava. This image is one of the main attraction. On the left hand one can see the image of the eleven- headed Avalokitashwara (a form of Buddha). On the roof top of the monastery there is a temple which can be visited only by men. On the top floor there is also a library which contains numerous volumes of Kangyur (Buddhas teaching) and Stangyur (comments on Buddha's teaching) texts. Above the temple there is a narrow room used as classroom of the school which also belongs to the monastery. Main religious Lamas here are the teachers who teach the children Buddhist religion and in future some of the children would be selected to become lamas. Earlier it was a tradition in Ladakh that the families would donate one son, normally the elder one, to the local monastery to become the lama. But, in these days, however due to the impact of modern life this tradition has almost disappeared. The Thiksey monastery community has a school which is run by the monastery management. It not only includes the knowledge of Buddhism but also other subjects including the computer are taught. Children from poor families are provided free education. The monastery also take care that the children and other lamas have food as well as medical assistance.

Thiksey gustor (festival) is held from 17th to 19th day of the 12th month. During the festival, the religious dances are performed. These dances are known as Cham or mask dances. These colourful Cham dances are an important part of the Buddhist culture. In these dances, important religious stories are told and the victory of good over devil is celebrated. This is also an annual occasion for the villagers to be together. These festivals are related to other social activities like planning the marriages etc. The festival of the Thiksy monastery takes place every year on the ninth months of Tibetan calendar. Thiksey Monastery is also known for making the Mandalas. At the Thiksey monastery, the Lamas make Mandala three times in a year. Natural colours like the powder of the crushed stones are used. The specialty of the Thiksey Monastery is sand Mandala as it may take many days to produce them and once finished they put the sand in the water which symbolizes the cycle of life.