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| Monasteries
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 It
is a general practice that the youngest son of each
family becomes a monk. Though exceptions are made at
times if the son’s presence is imperative at home.
To the uninitiated, the Buddhist principle of
‘compassion’ is perhaps the most visible trait of
the religion in Ladakh. It is interesting to see how
villages function while maintaining an impressive
balance with the elements. By way of an example –
the villagers divide the precious little water
available to them in an enviable fashion. Each farmer
is assigned a particular day on which water gushes
into his fields through the canal. On the designated
day, other farmers from the neighbouring fields work
with him on his farm to make the best use of the
available water, singing some of the many Buddhist
hymns dedicated to crops and fields.
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 Likir
Monastery
 Located
around 52 Kms from Leh, know as Klu-Kkhjil (water spirits)
founded in the 11th century AD 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. The site of the
monastery was encircled by the bodies of two great spent
spirits. Therefore, name became widely renowned as Likir.
In the 15th century the disciple of Khasdubje know a
lhawang Lodos Sangphu caused the monastery to flourish.
This monastery also belongs to Gaylukpa school. Every year
from the 17th to 19th of the 12th month the Likir festival
is held.
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| Spituk
Monastery
Spituk
Gompa is on the hill top near Indus, around 18 Kms from
Leh. Which was founded in 11th century by Od-De the elder
brother of Lha Lama Changchub-od, the Gompa named Spituk
(exemplary) when Rinchen Zangpo translator came to that
place and said that exemplary religious community would
rise. Initially it belonged to the Kadampa school then
during the life time of king Gragspa Bumide made it Gayluk
Pa order.
The Spituk festival held every year from 17th to 19th days
of the 11th month.
It houses 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
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Cave
Monastery
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.
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Thiksey
Monastery
About
20 kms from Leh, Thiksey is an imposing monastery and one
of the finest example of Ladakhi architecture. This Gompa
is situated on the top of the hill and part of Gelukpa
order, the disciple of Jangon Tsongkhapa, Sherab Zangpo of
stod, first built the temple of Stagmo Lakchung at the top
of Stagmo Lakchung at the top of the Thiksey valley. Then
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 successive reincarnation of the Skyabje Khampo
Ringpoche act as incharge of the monastery. Thiksey gustor
(festival) held from 17th to 19th day of the 12th month.
The main prayer hall has a 15 mt high seated Buddha
figure,There are chance to see prayer in the early
morning.
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Lamayuru
Monastery
The
oldest and spectac
 ularly
set holy site Lamayuru monastery is about 125 kms. West of
Leh, founded in the 10th century . Lamayuru was once a
lake. It was blessed by a lama after which, as legend
goes, the water of the lake receded upto 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.
The Yundrung Kabgyad festival is held during summer on the
28th and 29th days of the 2nd Tibetan month.
Lamayuru has fascinating caves carved out of the
mountainside. Also known as Yung Drung (Swastika) it is
sited on a high promonotory overlooking the village and
valley. For sheer spectacle value no other gompa can match
Lamayuru
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Shey
Monastery
Situated
on a hillock 15 km south of Leh, was once the residence of
the royal family & it was constructed by the first
king of Ladakh, Lhachen Palgyigon. 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, built by Deldan
Namgyal in 1633 is a funerary memorial to his father, king
Singee Namgyal. 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. On the 30th day of the 1st Tibetan month
celebrates shey rul-lo and on the 10th day of the 7th
Tibetan month the festival of Shey Surb-lo is held.
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Stakana
Monastery
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.
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