Five important monasteries in Ladakh

Ladakh tourism has opened his gate for the tourists across the globe. Ladakh is the land of Buddhist from ancient days. Age old monasteries (Gompas) in the arid region of Ladakh are reflecting ageless believes of Buddhism in the middle of soaring mountains. LehLadakh tour without visiting any monastery can be called incomplete tour.

All the Ladakh packages of any tour company cover the five important monasteries in Ladakh. The five monasteries are...

Hemis Monastery - Ladakh

Hemis Monastery (Gompa) is the richest and largest gomopa of Ladakh; located 48 km away from Leh on the bank of Indus River.It belongs to Gelukpa order in 1630 by Stagsang Raspa Nawang Gyatso. The most popular Hemis festival is going to be held on 29^th and 30^th June of 2012. Birth anniversary of Guru Padmasambhavis celebrated in Hemis monastery’s compound as Hemis festival. As a part of this festival, a huge painting of Buddha is displayed before public only once in 11 years and that makes this monastery unique for travelers. Another highlight of this monastery is its famous sacred mask dance.

Lamayuru Monastery Ladakh

Lamayuru Monastery the oldest monastery of Ladakh was founded by Mahasiddhacharya Naropa in early 11^th Century. It belongs to Red-Hat Sect of Buddhism. There are several legends associated with this Gompa. It is also believed that the place where Lamayuru gompa is situated was a lake that changes into the mountains by the blessings of a lama, to create space for this monastery. It is located125 km from Leh on a high cape overlook village and surroundings. Lamayuru Monastery has a rich collection of wall paintings and Thangkas. This monastery celebrates sacred masked dance every year on 17th and 18th day of the 5th month of Tibetan lunar calendar.

Thiksey Monastery Ladakh

Thiksey Monastery, one of the most beautiful monasteries of Central Ladakh is situated 20 km away from Leh at the altitude of 3600m above sea level which makes it one of the most popular monasteries in Leh Ladakh. It has a twelve storied building with 10 temples and a nunnery in its campus. Nearly 100 lamas practice their religious duty in this monastery. This gompa is seat for head of the Gelug School in Ladakh. Champa one of the largest statues of Buddha in Leh Ladakh can be found in this monastery. It is considered as a perfect example of Ladakhi architecture.

Shanti Stupa ladakh

Shanti Stupa is situated on a high elevated region overlooking the splendid Leh valley. It was constructed by the Japanese for world peace, a Japanese Buddhist Organization as a mark of respect to 2500 years of Buddhism and was inaugurated by his holiness Dalai Lama in August 1985.It is famous for its marvelous construction and magnificent views of sunrise and sunset. Stupa looks spectacular with its glittering lights in night.

Alchi Gompa Ladakh

Alchi Gompa is one of the oldest and finest monasteries of Leh Ladakh. Its main feature is thousands of small sized pictures of Buddha. Brightly painted, three large-sized images prepared with clay are its main attraction. Gompa has many Thangkas of 12th century. Other images include five Buddha families with their attendants.

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