Ladakh Pilgrimage
 

The oldest and spectacularly set holy site Lamayuru monastery was founded in the 10th century is about 125 kms. west of Leh . Lamayuru was once a lake.

It was blessed by a lama after which, as legend goes, the water of the lake receded up to the mountains leaving place for the monastery to be built. It is also the free zone of Ladakh since not even a criminal can be apprehended in this place. Now mostly in ruins, only the main hall exists today and houses numerous tankhyas.

Lamayuru has fascinating caves carved out of the mountainside. Also known as Yung Drung (Swastika) it is sited on a high promontory overlooking the village and valley. For sheer spectacle value no other gompa can match Lamayuru.

 

About 20 kms from Leh, Thiksey is a finest example of Ladakhi architecture. This Gompa is situated on the top of the hill and 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 main prayer hall has a 15 mt high seated Buddha figure, There are chance to see prayer in the early morning.

 

This great Gompa of Ladakh is situated at a distance of approximately 73 km from the town of Leh. Built by the great Lama Tsultim Nima, in the year 1831.

Approximately 40 monks reside in the Rizong Gompa of Ladakh, which belongs to the Tsongkhapa Order. The successive reincarnations of Lama Tsultim Nima and his son, Sras Rinpoche, serve as the incumbents of the monastery. The monastery comprises of a number of shrines within itself.

At a distance of approximately 2 km from the Rizong Monastery of Ladakh is a nunnery, known as Chulichan (Chomoling). It comprises of about 20 nuns and is run by the governing body of Rizong Monastery only.

 

To the north of Padum, on the road leading to Zangla this monastery of Stongdey lies in 18 kms. Stongdey is now the second largest monastic establishment of Zanskar, inhabited by the resident community of about 60 Gelukpa monks.

The sprawling whitewashed complex has a number of temples, Stongdey can be reached by foot in about 4 hours along the recently laid rough road. The climb up to the monastery is rather strenuous, but it is worth the trouble for the breathtaking scenery of the valley one can viewed from here.

 

Founded in the 11th century AD ,located around 52 Kms from Leh, know as Klu-Kkhjil (water spirits) 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's (past, present & future) and various old manuscripts. It also houses an interesting collection of thankas, old religious and domestic costumes and implements etc.

 

Spituk Gompa is around 18 Kms from Leh & on the hill top near Indus . it was founded in 11th century by Od-De the elder brother of Lha Lama Changchub-od.

It has a collection of ancient masks, antique arms, icons and numerous thankas. Higher up the hill is the Mahakal Temple, containing the shrine of Vajrabhairava. This terrifying face is unveiled only at the annual festival in January.

 

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.

Constructed by the first king of  Ladakh , Lhachen Palgyigon , situated on a hillock 15 km south of Leh, was once the residence of the royal family. According to tradition, it and of successive kings. 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, There is another statue of the Buddha three stories in height at dresthang down the castle. Stone carving and many chortens are scattered around the Dresthang Gompa.

 

The famous Hemis monastery lies at a distance of 45 km from Leh. It was built in 1630 during the reigns of king Sengye Namgyal and belongs to the Drukpa or the Red Hat sect of Tibetan Buddhism.

The annual festival of Hemis, is held for two days in June-July, The festival is celebrated to mark the birth anniversary of Guru Padmasambhava. There is also the annual 'bazaar' held where Ladakhis from remote areas buy and sell wares.

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.

A beautiful valley that leads to Changla is home to the Chemery monastery. Monastery has a large collection of valuable belongings ,scriptures which has title pages in shinning silver and the text in gold letters.

In close vicinity is a cave monastery, considered a place where Guru  Padmasambhava stayed during his meditation period.
 

The Phugthal complex spills out of the mouth of a huge  cave 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  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.