Monasteries in Ladakh

During the long course of its history, Ladakh was ruled by several dynasties who brought their culture, religion and traditions to this region, giving it a unique feature. As far as religion is concerned, Buddhism is followed here by a  major portion of the population. Irrespective of the rugged terrain and remote inaccessible areas, monks and preachers passed through them and built monasteries all over the place. There are are innumerable monasteries in Ladkah, some in ruins while others are still in inhabited, running as educational and religious centers. It is no exaggeration that these Gompas are cultural and architectural delight.

Most of these monasteries are ancient and world-renowned. They are visited by both local  and international followers of Buddhism in large number, every year. At Leh Ladakh India, we can have a number of excellent planned tour packages. By opting  any, you can experience the magnificence and grandeur of these serene sacred sites. They offer an excellent opportunity to the traveler to savor the Buddhist culture. Most of the monasteries in Ladakh are situated on the hilltop. Their architecture is a perfect blend of Buddhist and Tibetan shills. The page contains the links to monasteries in Ladakh, presented in a detailed manner.

List of Monasteries in Leh Ladakh

• Hemis Monastery
• Karma Dupgyud Choeling Monastery
• Matho Monastery
• Rangdum Gompa
• Lamayuru Monastery
• Samstanling Monastery
• Phugtal Monastery
• Alchi Monastery
• Diskit Monastery
• Spituk Gompa
• Likir Gompa
• Thiksey Gompa
• Shey Monastry
• Rizong Gompa
• Alchi Choskor Monastery
• Sankar Monastery
• Wanla Gompa
• Phyang Gompa
• Stakna Monastery
• Zongkhul Monastery

Hemis Monastery

Hemis is situated around 45 kms to the south of Leh on the western banks of the Indus River. The Hemis Monastery is the biggest and very richly endowed monastery of Ladakh. It was built in 1630. Impressive and intriguing, Hemis is different from the other important monasteries of Ladakh. The monastery is decorated on all four sides by colourful prayer flags which flutter in the breeze and send prayers to Lord Buddha.

The main building has white walls. The entrance to the complex is through a big gate that reaches a large courtyard. The stones of the walls are decorated and painted with religious figures. On the northern side are two assembly halls, and as in most of the monasteries one can also see the guardian deities and the Wheel of Life here. The Hemis Monastery also has an important library of Tibetan books and a very impressive and valuable collection of Thangkas, gold statues and Stupas embedded with precious stones.

One of the largest Thangkas is displayed every 12 years during the Hemis Festival, held for two days in June-July. The annual festival, commemorating the birth anniversary of Guru Padmasambhava brings alive the courtyard of the monastery. The festival, where good triumphs over evil in a colourful pageant, also holds the annual ‘bazaar’ where Ladakhis from remote areas buy and sell wares. During the festival, various rituals and mask dances are performed in this courtyard. Hemis is about 40 km from Leh and can be visited comfortably in one day if one is traveling by car or jeep.

Karma Dupgyud Choeling Monastery

Situated around 9 kilometers from Leh, the Karma Dupgyud Choeling Monastery is one of the major Dharma centers in the Ladakh region. Founded by Lama Chime  Dorje Rinpoche in 1973, this monastery is run by the Karmapa sect of Tibetan Buddhists. At present, there are 17 Karmapas in this region. This monastery has played an important role in the proliferation of the traditional Buddhist culture and values. It includes an original mud-brick complex housing the Dukhang (Assembly Hall) and living and working quarters including classrooms, office, kitchen and library. Since it was founded by a Tibetan  national, it depends on the munificence of private organizations and individuals for monetary funds.

Matho Monastery

Matho Monastery or Matho Gompa is one of the attractive monasteries in the lap of Himalaya. This monastery shares a distance of 26 km from Leh and is located in the south-east direction. This monastery was constructed by Lama Tugpa Dorjay in the 16th century. Matho Monastery lies just behind the Thiksey Monastery. This Gompa is the one and only reprehensive of the Sakyapa sect of Tibetan Buddhism in the district of Ladakh. Matho Gompa does not lie on the highway to Leh and thus it experiencesfewer visitors throughout the year. This picturesque monastery was structured 1410 century and is still very famous among the travelers for its 600 years old thangkas and Matho rang nag festival.

Inside the monastery, there is an assembly hall which has been built in the year 2005 that is decorated with a statue of Shakyamuni Buddha and colourful paintings of Sakya Pandits and Sakya lamas. The monks of the monastery perform deadly actions without any hesitation. They cut their body by knives and walk to the top of the storey closing their eyes, having no fear. They close their eyes so that they do not get frightened of falling down. Else from this the brave and selfless monks of the Matho monastery perform many jaw-dropping feats during the annual festival.

Zongkhul Monastery

Zongkhul Monastery is an impressive cave monastery situated in Zanskar Valley, Leh District of Jammu and Kashmir. Zanskar is about 20 km south of Rangdum. Lying on the Padum-Kishtwar trekking route, the monastery is connected with Naropa, a famous India Yogi. It is believed that the two caves around the monastery were used by Naropa for solitary mediation. One of the stones near the entrance of the cave has a foot print, which is believed to be that of the yogi.

This splendidly set monastery has an impressive location, situated like a Swallow’s nest on the rock face of the Ating George, overlooking the Zongkhul falls and the ascent of Umasi Pass. The murals on the cave walls reflect a high degree of artistic achievement. Zhadpa Dorje, a celebrated scholar-painter of the same monastery who was active about 300 years ago, is believed to have painted the cave walls.”

Stakna Monastery

Stakna Monastery or Stakna Gompa is a Buddhist monastery of the Drugpa sect in Stakna, Leh district, Ladakh, northern India, 21 or 25 kilometres from Leh on the left bank of the Indus River.

It was founded in the late 16th century by a Bhutanese scholar and saint, Chosje Jamyang Palkar. The name, literally meaning ‘tiger’s nose’ was given because it was built on a hill shaped like a tiger’s nose. Of note is a sacred Arya Avalokitesvara statue from Kamrup, Assam.[1] Stakna has a residence of approximately 30 monks. It is the only Bhutanese Drukpa Kagyu monastery in Ladakh, headed by the Je Khenpo in Bhutan, whereas the other Drukpa monasteries in Ladakh are of the Gyalwang Drukpa’s school, based at Hemis. This split in the Drukpa Kagyu lineage occurred in the 17th century when there was a dispute over who was the true reincarnation of the 4th Gyalwang Drukpa.

Phyang Gompa

Placed around 40 km westwards of Leh town, Phyang Gompa belongs to the red hat sect of Buddhism. White and ochre colored monastery lies on a hill top and seems to be overlooking the surrounding village. The site where today the Gompa finds its footing was a small part of various monastic properties that were received as a gift by Chosje Damma Kunga, given by Dharmaraja Jamyang Namgial. Phyang Hills was the place of Tasi Chozong Gompa, which was founded way back in the year 1515. This monastery was offered to a monastic community that paved way for the foundation of Digung teachings in Ladakh that were started by Skyoba Jigsten Gonbo. On the other hand, it is believed that it was established by King Tashi Namgyal, during the third quarter of the 16th century.

Once its construction was completed, it became popular center of Digung teachings under Skyoba Jigsten Gonbo and is only one of the two Ladakh monasteries belonging to this school. Today, Phyang Gompa is headed by Apchi Choski Dolma. The monastery complex consists of a number of religious sites along with a number of wall paintings, depiction of the royal times, hanging on the walls. The prime attraction here is a 900-year old museum, which is home to an exquisite collection of things like thangkas, various idols, Mongolian, Tibetan and Chinese weapons and firearms and more.

The Gompa becomes the venue of Gang-Sngon Tsedup Festival, each year, starting from the 17th day up to the 19th day of the first month of the Tibetan calendar. it is also the scene of sacred dance festival, each year on the second and third day of the sixth month of Tibetan calendar.