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Monasteries in Ladakh | Leh Ladakh Monasteries

Opening Timing: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Entry Fee: INR 100 per person
Best Time to Visit: May to September; witness the Hemis Tsechu Festival.
Location: Indus Valley, Ladakh – easily accessible from Leh

Nestled in the serene Indus Valley, Hemis Monastery is the biggest monastery in Ladakh, celebrated for its grandeur and ancient charm. Re-established in the 17th century by King Sengge Namgyal, it belongs to the Drukpa Kagyu lineage of Tibetan Buddhism. The sprawling complex features whitewashed chapels, assembly halls, and vividly painted murals.

Hemis is famous for the annual Hemis Tsechu Festival, where masked cham dances, music, and a giant thangka display honoring Padmasambhava attract large crowds. Inside the main assembly hall are richly painted thangkas, statues of Padmasambhava, and ritual objects used by resident monks. Hemis Monastery fronts the Hemis National Park, which is home to the rare snow leopard, making it appealing to wildlife enthusiasts as well. Visitors can attend festival performances, explore the monastery museum, and stroll through the surrounding village to see local crafts and bakeries.

Historical Significance:

• Re-established in the 17th century by King Sengge Namgyal.
• Belongs to the Drukpa Kagyu lineage of Tibetan Buddhism.
• Preserves richly painted thangkas, statues of Padmasambhava, and ritual objects.

Highlights:

• Biggest monastery in Ladakh with whitewashed chapels and assembly halls.
• Annual Hemis Tsechu Festival with masked cham dances and giant thangka display.
• Fronts Hemis National Park, home to the rare snow leopard.
• Explore monastery museum and surrounding village with local crafts and bakeries.

• Built in the 15th century by Palden Zangpo of the Gelugpa order.
• Preserves rare scriptures, vibrant thangka paintings, and ancient weapons.
• Constructed the 15-meter Maitreya Buddha statue to commemorate Dalai Lama’s 1970 visit.

• 12-story complex resembling Lhasa’s Potala Palace, nicknamed “Mini Potala.”
• 15-meter statue of Maitreya Buddha.
• Daily morning prayers with drums and horns.
• Annual Gustor Festival with sacred mask dances.

• Founded in the 14th century by Changzem Tserab Zangpo, disciple of Tsongkhapa.
• Important Gelugpa order monastery preserving ancient murals and thangka paintings.
• Plays a key role in the community with an educational school under Dalai Lama’s patronage.

• 106-foot-tall Maitreya Buddha statue symbolizing peace and compassion.
• Hilltop location with panoramic views of Shyok River and Karakoram ranges.
• Annual Dosmoche Festival with sacred mask dances.
• Surrounded by Hunder sand dunes offering a tranquil atmosphere.

• Founded in the 10th–11th century by translator Rinchen Zangpo under King Yeshe-O of Guge.
• Oldest monastery in Ladakh, preserving early Himalayan Buddhist art.
• Houses ancient murals, wood carvings, and clay sculptures reflecting India, Tibet, and Central Asia.

• Three main temples: Sumtsek, Manjushri, and Dukhang with rare Kashmiri-style murals.
• Indo-Tibetan architecture on flat terrain, unlike typical hilltop monasteries.
• Peaceful surroundings with apricot trees and serene prayer halls.
• Maintained by monks from Likir Monastery ensuring heritage preservation.

• Founded in the 11th century by Indian scholar Naropa.
• Affiliated with the Drikung Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism.
• Houses ancient murals, statues of Padmasambhava, and sacred temple to Vairocana.

• Unique architecture and serene surroundings.
• Annual Yuru Kabgyat Festival with traditional masked dances and rituals.
• Interaction with resident monks and spiritual immersion.
• Nearby village showcasing traditional Ladakhi life and handicrafts.

Opening Timing: 6:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Entry Fee: Free (donations are welcome)
Best Time to Visit: June to September; suitable weather for trekking and access.
Location: Lungnak Valley, southeastern Zanskar, Ladakh

Phugtal Monastery, also known as Phuktal Gompa, is nestled in the remote Lungnak Valley of southeastern Zanskar, Ladakh. Founded in the 12th century by Gangsem Sherap Sampo, the monastery is renowned for its unique architecture, resembling a honeycomb built into the cliffside.

Belonging to the Gelugpa sect, it houses around 70 monks who engage in meditation and scholarly activities. The monastery is accessible only on foot, with the trek commencing from Purne village, approximately 7–8 km away.

Historical Significance:

• Founded in the 12th century by Gangsem Sherap Sampo.
• Belongs to the Gelugpa sect of Tibetan Buddhism.
• Preserves centuries-old traditions of meditation and monastic education.

Highlights:

• Unique honeycomb-like architecture built into a cliffside.
• Remote location accessible only by trekking from Purne village.
• Home to around 70 resident monks practicing meditation and studies.
• Offers an unmatched atmosphere of solitude and spiritual retreat.

• Founded in the 11th century by Od-de, elder brother of Lha Lama Changchub Od.
• Originally a Kadampa monastery, later became part of the Gelugpa sect.
• Houses the revered Vajrabhairava statue displayed during the annual Gustor Festival.

• Prayer halls with ancient thangka paintings and idols of Mahakala.
• Small museum displaying antique arms, masks, and Buddhist art.
• Daily rituals by around a hundred resident monks.
• Panoramic views of the Indus Valley and surrounding mountains.

• Founded in the 11th century by Lama Duwang Chosje.
• Belongs to the Gelugpa (Yellow Hat) sect of Tibetan Buddhism.
• Preserves ancient scriptures, thangka paintings, and monastic traditions.

• 23-meter-tall Maitreya Buddha statue, one of the tallest in Ladakh.
• Annual Likir Gustor Festival with masked dances and rituals.
• Serene courtyards offering insight into daily monastic life.
• Well-preserved prayer halls and assembly halls showcasing Buddhist art.

• Established in 1655 by Deldan Namgyal in memory of King Sengge Namgyal.
• Once served as the spiritual center near the former summer capital of Ladakh.
• Houses ancient relics, thangkas, and historic prayer halls.

• 12-meter-tall copper and gilded statue of Shakyamuni Buddha spanning three floors.
• Adjacent Shey Palace, the former summer capital of Ladakh.
• Annual festivals like Shey Doo Lhoo and Shey Rupla with traditional dances.
• Scenic setting offering both spiritual and historical exploration.

• Founded in 1550 by Chosje Damma Kunga, a disciple of Je Tsongkhapa.
• Belongs to the Gelugpa (Yellow Hat) sect of Tibetan Buddhism.
• Preserves centuries-old scriptures, thangka paintings, and ritual objects.

• Unique hilltop location resembling a tiger’s nose.
• Central shrine dedicated to Padmasambhava with a revered statue.
• Peaceful atmosphere with scenic views of the Indus River.
• Annual Gustor Festival featuring masked dances and rituals.

• Founded in the 16th century by Tsewang Namgyal.
• Only Nyingma monastery in Ladakh, dedicated to Padmasambhava.
• Features a sacred cave where Padmasambhava is believed to have meditated.

• Unique 'rock-roof' construction using natural rock formations.
• Ancient murals and statues inside the monastery.
• Annual festival with sacred dances and rituals performed by monks.
• Serene environment with trekking opportunities and rural Ladakhi views.

• Founded in 1831 by Lama Tsultim Nima.
• Belongs to the Gelugpa (Yellow Hat) sect of Tibetan Buddhism.
• Preserves strict monastic discipline and centuries-old rituals.

• Known as a "Paradise for Meditation" with serene landscapes.
• Home to around 40 monks and adjacent Jelichun Nunnery with 20 nuns.
• Complex includes shrines, meditation halls, and prayer rooms.
• Offers authentic insight into Ladakhi monastic life and culture.

Founded by Lama Dugpa Dorje in the year 1410, Matho is the only Ladakh monastery that follows the Sakya sect of Buddhism. In order to introduce the Monastic community, the king offered religious estate in neighbouring villages and the Nagrang festival was started, which is held on the 14th and 15th day of the Tibetan calendar. The monastery is home to more than 60 lamas, they are chosen as oracles every three years where they have to undergo rigorous fasting and meditation over the duration of few months to purify themselves and one of the best monasteries in Ladakh.

Apart from the Nagrang festival, the other festivals also organised have performances of the Cham dance and acts of oracles which are done under the influence of supernatural powers. The oracles run barefoot on the parapets of the monastery roof leaving everyone in awe and fear of them and is one of the best Leh Monastery.

Constructed around 500 years ago, the monastery has a marvellous collection of ancient Thangas, walls adorned with sacred paintings, statues of Maitreya, Sakyamuni, the blessing Buddha and a thousand-armed statue of Avalokitesvara.

Location: The Matho Monastery is situated on the banks of the Indus River about 20 km south of Leh.

Perched atop a mountain, the Rangdum Monastery looks like a citadel, overlooking and guarding the serene valley, with rolling hills, mountains and pristine glaciers which only enhances the beauty of this place. Located in Kargil Suru Valley, this monastery was built by Gelek Yashi Takpa about 200 years ago and some even believe it to be from the 8th century. Home to about 40 monks, the monastery has a rich assortment of Tibetan antiques and other precious artefacts and you’ll find the monks in deep meditation in the tranquil ambience of the premises.

You will also find a prayer hall located in the central part of the monastery, which will give visitors a clear view of the ancient and rustic beauty of this place. And while you’re here, you will get the feeling of remoteness, since this monastery is located far off the mainland, Leh Ladakh Monasteries.

Although the roads to the monastery are bumpy and require a good amount of time to reach, it still receives a lot of visitors every here, due to its surrounding gorgeous vistas and peaceful aura for meditation.

Location: The Rangdum Monastery is located in the Kargil Suru Valley about 130 km from Kargil and 343 km from the city of Leh.

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