Monasteries of Ladakh

Monastries of Ladakh
The monasteries in Ladakh not only protect, preserve and propagate Buddhism but are also the centre of cultural activity. Every sect of Buddhism is represented here through a rich archive of idols, religious texts, thangkas, murals and frescoes. Each monastery has a busy calendar of festivals, with music, dance and traditionally woven costumes integral to these occasions. Ladakh has more monasteries than any other Buddhist territory other than Tibet.

The Spituk Monastery is 8 km east of Leh. Besides the impressive collection of Buddha icons, thangkas, antique masks and arms, it has an imposing figure of Mahakali which is revealed only during the annual festival. 14 km from Leh.

The Shey Palace and Monastery was the old residence of the royal family, even before the Tibetans ruled Ladakh. The monastery boasts of a 7.5 m high gold plated statue of Lord Buddha.

17 km up the road to Kargil will take you to Phyang, the site of the 16th century monastery belonging to the red hat sect of Buddhism built by Tashi Namgyal.

The Thiksey monastery barely 19 km from Leh is one of the most outstanding in Ladakh with a spectacular backdrop and beautiful art work within.

The neighbouring Stakna gompa is also the repository of some exquisite paintings, statues and thangkas.

Across the Indus from Thiksey is the Matho monastery known for the annual festival held for newly inducted monks who perform spectacular feats after a rigorous purification process.

The Hemis is one of the grandest monasteries, and best known for the annual summer festival it holds to celebrate the anniversary of Guru Padmasambhava. This is another of Sengge Namgyal’s architectural pursuits and was managed by the Drogpas.

The Takthok monastery is also dedicated to Guru Padmasambhava who is believed to have meditated in the cave here.

The road to Changla passes through the Chemery Monastery built in memory of Sengge Namgyal and stores scriptures lettered in silver and gold. Lamayuru has great religious and historical significance, and believed to exist even before Buddhism came to Ladakh as a Bon shrine.

The 11th century Likir monastery was destroyed in a fire and rebuilt in the 18th century. The monks of Likir also manage the 1000 year old Alchi gompa in the vicinity.

Other monasteries in Ladakh include Rizong, Bardan, Karsha, Phuktal, Rangdum, Tonde and Zangla.