Monasteries of Ladakh

Discover the Monasteries in Leh Ladakh

Thiksey Monastery in Ladakh is believed to be the largest monastery in Ladakh. It is around 20km from Leh. The monastery is known for its three-story-high Maitreye Buddha, who is believed to be the future Buddha who will teach enlightenment. The monastery in central Ladakh is built in the style of the Potala Palace in Lhasa and is called mini Potala. It overlooks the Indus Valley and Stok range.

Hemis Monastery is a famous monastery of Ladakh and known for the Hemis festival, which features cham dance. During the festival, a three-story-high tapestry of Guru Padmasambhava is unfurled at this 17th-century monastery. Ladakh’s Hemis Monastery is associated with the Drukpa Lineage of Buddhism. It houses manuscripts, thangkas, stupas, and other cultural artefacts. It is an hour’s drive from Leh.

Likir Monastery is located around 52km from Leh and in a village called Likir, which is believed to date back to the 11th century. The highlights of the monastery include a 75-foot Maitreya Buddha, which towers over the monastery complex. It is said that the serpents Nanda and Taksako guard the monastery. You will find cultural artefacts and manuscripts here.

One of the standout features of Takthok Monastery is that its roof and walls are made of rock. The monastery, which is located in Sakti village around 46km from Leh, is believed to be built around a cave where Padmasambhava had meditated in the 8th century. This is a pilgrimage spot for Tibetan Buddhists. The monastery is also home to ancient manuscripts, which include the teachings of Buddha, and splendid murals.

Known to be the oldest monastery in Ladakh, Lamayuru Monastery is located in Lamayuru, which is famously known as “moonland” because of its surreal geological formations. According to legend, the scholar Naropa meditated in a cave here called Naropa’s cave. The library contains Kandshur, which is the collected teachings of Buddha. Many lamas still live in the gompa.

Alchi Monastery, situated on the banks of the Indus River, is renowned for its exceptional Indo-Tibetan artwork and historical significance. Founded around the 11th century, it houses some of the most ancient and well-preserved murals in Ladakh, showcasing a unique blend of Kashmiri and Buddhist art. The monastery’s intricate wall paintings, vibrant frescoes, and sculptures depict Buddhist teachings, celestial beings, and mandalas in vivid detail, offering insight into early Tibetan art before the influence of later sects. Alchi’s architectural style is also distinct, with small temple buildings and wooden structures that reflect a fusion of Indian and Central Asian aesthetics.

Alchi Monastery belongs to the Gelugpa sect of Tibetan Buddhism today. However, it has an interesting history that connects it with earlier traditions.

Originally, Alchi Monastery was built in the 11th century by the Tibetan scholar Rinchen Zangpo, who was instrumental in bringing Buddhism to Ladakh and translating Buddhist scriptures into Tibetan. During its establishment, Alchi was not associated with any of the major Tibetan Buddhist sects, as it predates the formation of most Tibetan Buddhist schools, including the Gelugpa sect. At the time, it likely followed the Kadampa school, an older tradition in Tibetan Buddhism that later influenced the Gelugpa school.

Over time, Alchi Monastery came under the care of the Gelugpa sect, and it is currently maintained by the monks of Likir Monastery, which is a Gelugpa monastery.