Monastries in Leh and Ladakh
Monasteries in Ladakh may be either of the Mahayana or the Hinayana sect of
Buddhism. The head lama is called a 'kushak', meaning reincarnation. The
monasteries of Ladakh are what 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.
Hemis
Gompa Hemis, the largest monastery in Ladakh,was built in 1630. It
belongs to the red sect, Brokpa. It lies at a distance of 45 km south of
Leh. Impressive and intriguing, Hemis is different from the other important
monasteries of Ladakh. 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.
Namgyal
Tsemo Gompa The Namgyal Tsemo Gompa, built in 1430, contains a
three-story high Buddha image and ancient manuscripts and frescoes. The fort
above this gompa is ruined, but the views of Leh from here are
breathtakingly beautiful.
Sankar gompa The Sankar
gompa is located a couple of kilometers north of the town center. The gompa
belongs to the Gelukpa order and has an impressive impression of the
Buddhist deity Avalokiteshwara Padmahari or Chenresig, with 1,000 arms and
an equal number of heads.
Shanti Stupa The Shanti
Stupa was built by a Japanese order and was opened by the Dalai Lama in
1985. From the top, one can view the exotic locales nearby. The stupa is
located at a distance of 3 km from the Fort Road.
Likir
Monastery Located around 52 Kms from Leh, know as Klu-Kkhjil (water
spirits) founded in the 11th century AD and was rededicated to another
monastic order (the yellow sect) in the 15th century, its earlier gompa was
destroyed in fire. The present gompa dates back to the 18th century. It
contains huge clay images of Buddha and various old manuscripts. It also
houses an interesting collection of thankas, old religious and domestic
costumes and implements etc. . In the 15th century lhawang Lodos Sangphu
caused the monastery to flourish. This monastery also belongs to Gaylukpa
school. Every year from the 17th to 19th of the 12th month the Likir
festival is held.
Spituk Monastery Spituk Gompa is
on the hill top near Indus, around 18 Kms from Leh. The Gompa was founded in
11th century by Od-De The Gompa was named Spituk (exemplary) by Rinchen
Zangpo, a translator came to that place and said that exemplary religious
community would rise. Initially it belonged to the Kadampa school then
during the life time of king Gragspa Bumide made it Gayluk Pa order.
The Spituk festival held every year from 17th to 19th days of the 11th
month. It houses a collection of ancient masks, antique arms, icons and
numerous thankas. 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
Cave Monastery
The cave monastery of Shergole is small but this old Buddhist monastery has
elegant frescoes. It juts out of a brown, granite cliff and appears as if
suspended in the middle of the mountain. This architectural quirk makes it
an object of curiosity among local people too.
Thiksey
Monastery About 20 kms from Leh, Thiksey is an imposing monastery
and one of the finest example of Ladakhi architecture. This Gompa is
situated on the top of the hill and forms part of Gelukpa order. Paldan
Sherab nephew of Sherb Zangpo, founded Thiksey monastery.
The 12
storey monastery complex contains numerous stupas, statues, thankas, wall
paintings, swords and a large pillar engraved with the Buddha's
teachings,there are sacred shrines and a many precious objects to be seen.
The successive reincarnation of the Skyabje Khampo Ringpoche act as incharge
of the monastery. Thiksey gustor (festival) held from 17th to 19th day of
the 12th month. The main prayer hall has a 15 mt high seated Buddha
figure,There are chance to see prayer in the early morning.
Lamayuru
Monastery Spectacularly set, founded in the 10th century,Lamayuru
monastery is about 125 kms. west of Leh. As the legend goes, 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. Now mostly in
ruins, only the main hall exists today and houses numerous tankhyas. The
Yundrung Kabgyad festival is held during summer on the 28th and 29th days of
the 2nd Tibetan month. Lamayuru has fascinating caves carved out of the
mountainside. Also known as Yung Drung (Swastika) it is sited on a high
promonotory overlooking the village and valley. For sheer spectacle value no
other gompa can match Lamayuru
Shey Monastery
Situated on a hillock 15 km south of Leh, was once the residence of the
royal family & it was constructed by the first king of Ladakh, Lhachen
Palgyigon. According to tradition, it was the seat of power of the
pre-Tidetan kings. Around 12 Ft. Shakyamuni Buddha's statue made by copper
guilt is the largest in the region, built by Deldan Namgyal in 1633 is a
funerary memorial to his father, king Singee Namgyal. There is another
statue of the Buddha three stories in height.Stone carving and many chortens
are scattered around the Dresthang Gompa. On the 30th day of the 1st Tibetan
month celebrates shey rul-lo and on the 10th day of the 7th Tibetan month
the festival of Shey Surb-lo is held.
Stakana Monastery
Built nearly 1580 by great scholar saint chosje Jamyang Palkar during the
reign of king Jamyang Namgyal. The Stakna monastery is 45 Km south of Leh,
founded on a hill shaped Stakna (Tiger nose). Easily accessible from Leh
town.
Stok Palace Visible in the distance, 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. Built early in the nineteenth century by
the last ruler of independent Ladakh, it has been the official residence of
the Ladakhi 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
fascinating collection comprises some of the family's most precious
heirlooms, including antique ritual objects, ceremonial tea paraphernalia,
and exquisite sixteenth-century thangkas illuminated with paint made from
crushed rubies, emeralds and sapphires. The pieces de resistance, however,
are the Gyalmo's peraks.
Still worn on important occasions, the
ancient headdresses, thought to have originated in Tibet, are encrusted with
slabs of flawless turquoise, polished coral, lapis lazuli and nuggets of
pure gold. Also of interest are a couple of swords whose blades were
allegedly tied in knots as a demonstration of strength by king Tashi Namgyal
Phugtal Gompa.
Phugtal
Gompa The Phugthal complex spills out of the mouth of a huge c ave
high up in the sheer mountain face of a lateral gorge through which a major
tributary of the southern Lungnak (Lingti-Tsarap) River flows. Perhaps, the
most isolated monastic establishment of Zanskar, its foundation date back to
the early 12th century ; at least one old chappel, among the several several
of which it is composed, has frescos and ceiling decorations reflecting
strong Indian artistic and iconographic influence. Phugthal is accessible
from the Padum-Manali trekking route through a 7 km long trail that branches
off from the Purney Bridge on the main trail. This unique monastic
establishment is inhabited by a resident community of about 40 monks.
Alchi Gompa On the banks of the Indus is the Alchi Gompa,
dating thousand years back. One of its walls features thousands of miniature
sized pictures of the Buddha. Three large sized images made of clay and
painted brightly are its focal attraction. No longer an active religious
center, it is looked after by monks from the likir monastery.
Leh Palace The captivating Leh Palace rises from the edge of a
hill overlooking the town and stretches out towards the indigo sky. A
miniature version of the Potala in Lhasa, the Leh Palace is one of the major
attractions in ladakh. The palace was built in the 17th century and had nine
storeys , but it is now dilapidated and deserted. It was the home of the
royal family until they were exiled to Stok in the 1830s. Above the palace,
at the top of the Namgyal hill, is the Victory Tower, built to commemorate
Ladakh's victory over the Balti Kashmir armies in the early 16th century.
This palace built for King Singge Namgyal, now houses the Ladakhi branch of
the Indian Government's archaeological conservation organisation
Zongkhul Monastery The spectacular cave monastery of Zanskar,
Zongkhul, falls on the Padum-Kishtwar trekking trail, just before the ascent
of Omasi-la Pass begins. Situated like a Swallow's nest on the rock face of
the Ating George, the monastery is associated by legend with the famous
Indian Yogi, Naropa, who lectured in the Nalanda and Vikramsila
Universities. The two caves present in the monastery are said to have been
used by the famous Yogi for the solitary meditation. A footprint on the
stone near the ingress of the lower cave is reserved as that of the yogi.
The frescos on the cave walls are very old and reflect a high degree of
artistic achievement. These are believed to be the original murals executed
by Zhadpa Dorje, The celebrated scholar-painter of the same monastery who
was active about 300 years ago.
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