Lamayuru:-
The
village
of Lamayuru has the oldest known gompa in Ladakh dating
back to the 16th century and has the 11 headed image of
Avalokiteshwara Buddha, mainly in ruins. The Gompa was
build on a rock and according to the legend, during the
time of Sakya Muni Buddha, there used to be a crystal
clear lake where the monastery today stands. Arahat
Nimagung, on his visit made a propechy that there will
be a monastery at that spot. With the blessing of the
Lama the water of the lake receded leaving place for the
monastery. There is a collection of carpets, thankas,
statues and frescoes for viewing within the complex.
Around the Village, the erosion of the rocks have left
the surrounding area to be known as "Moon Land".
Hemis Gompa:-
This monastery is also known as Changchub Samling is
45km from Leh and is one of the richest, largest and
most important monastery in Ladakh and has the patronage
of the royal family. It was built in 1630 and belongs to
the Drukpa Order.
The famous Hemis festival is held annually in the month
of June in honour of the renowned Indian sage Guru Padma
Sambhava's birth and a 12 meter long thanka (the largest
in the world) with his painting is displayed every 12
years.
The monastery houses well-preserved frescoes with
Kashmiri influence, including the famous "Wheel of
Life", a three storey statue of Padmasambhava, silver
chortens studded with precious and semi precious stones,
an impressive library of Tibetan style books, large
number of thankas and various images of Buddha. The view
from the top of the monastery is truly a breathtaking.
Takthok Gompa:-
Situated 50 km east of Leh is Takthok Gompa, the only
monastery belonging to the Nying-ma-pa order. It is said
that this monastery was founded by the tantric guru,
Padma Sambhava.
The Gompa was a cave and a place of meditation for Padma
Sambava and owes its name, Tak Tog (Rock-Roofed) to its
roof which is a natural rock. The new monastery is built
on ground level and contains the image of Guru Nang
Srith Zilon in a central position; to its right is an
image of Guru Dorje Dolo and to left an image of Guru
Padma Gyalpo. There are seats for His Holiness the Dalai
Lama and Taklung Rinpoche; the latter is believed to be
the incarnate lama of the monastery.
There are two festivals held at this gompa every year:
Tak Thog Tse Chu and Tak Thog Wangchogis. The
surrounding village of Sakti is tranquil and unspoiled.
Phyang Monastery:-
Belonging to the red sect, this Gompa was build in the
16th century. Just 16 Kms. from Leh, it houses hundreds
of statues, thankas, old manuscripts and some old
weapons.
Likir Monastery:-
Likir Gompa was founded in the 14th century AD and
was rededicated to the Gelukpa order in the 15th
century. The earlier gompa was destroyed in a fire and
the reconstruction dates back to the 18th century. The
Alchi Monastery is managed by the Likir Gompa.
There is an external
statue of the Maitreya Buddha, 25 meter high, which is
very unusual for gompas in this region. There is a small
museum which houses an interesting collections of
thankas, old religious and domestic costumes etc. There
is also an annual festival 'The Likir Dosmochey.
Matho Gompa:-
This Gompa is situated on the opposite bank of the Indus
river, across Thiksey. Matho was build in the first half
of the 16th century AD and is the only Gompa belonging
to the Sakya order. The annual festival of Oracles is
held in early March, in which young monks are selected
as oracles go into trances and perform shocking feats
with swords and knives and inflict wounds on themselves
which leaves no marks. Before the festival, these monks
prepare by undergoing two months of meditation and
fasting. Only male visitors are permitted to visit the
room in which they undergo such purification for the
festival. This Gompa also has a valuable collection of
very old and beautiful Thankas, some in the form of 'Mandalas'.
Basgo:-
40 km from Leh is a town called Basgo, once the capital
of lower Ladakh. It was the seat of power of a branch of
the Namgyal family. It is here in 1680 AD that invading
Mongol and Tibetan armies were held in check over a
three year long seige. The old mud brick Gompa,
approximately 400 years old and the 500 year old citadel
are listed as one of the top 100 endangered world
heritage sites in 2000. Original 16th century murals and
other arts of Basgo are well worth a visit. The Serzang
temple houses an enormous gold and copper statue of the
Maitreya Buddha.
Spituk Gompa:-
Only 8 Kms. from the Leh city, majestically standing on
a hilltop and overlooking the Indus valley is Spituk
Gompa. Built in the 15th century, this Gompa belongs to
the Gelukpa Order.
Right on top of the hill is Mahakal Temple, containing
the shrine of Vajrabhairava. This statue is unveiled
once a year at the annual Gustor festival. A collection
of ancient masks, antique arms, icons and thankas are
available for viewing.
Thiksey Monastery:-
About 20 Kms. form Leh, Thiksey is the most beautiful
monastery in Ladakh and often a visitors favourite. The
12 story monastery complex contains numerous stupas,
statues, Thankas, wall paintings, swords and a large
pillar engraved with Buddha's teachings. This Gompa
belong to the Gelukpa order and houses a two story (15m)
high Maitreya Buddha in the main prayer hall. The roof
has a magnificent view of the surrounding valley and
villages. This Gompa, like most has an annual festival.
Alchi Monastery:-
Click here for more on
Alchi Monastery and Village.
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