Stakna Monastery
Stakna, locally known as Tiger’s Nose, is a small and serene monastery, founded during the reign of King Jamyang Namgyal in 1580. Located on the left bank of Indus River and perched on a hill, Stakna monastery in Leh offers amazing and jaw-dropping views of the Indus valley.
It also houses numerous paintings, idols, and Buddhist scriptures, and has many sister monasteries in Zanskar-Bardan, Stakrimo, and Sani.
Key attractions: Statue of Arya Avaloketesvara, Dukhang Assembly Hall with paintings of Sakyamuni, Tsephakmad, and Amchi, silver gilded chorten with Buddha picture and paintings of Bodhisattva, Tshong-san-Gompa, and Padma Sambhava
How to reach: 25 km from Leh by the banks of Indus River, Stakna can be reached by boarding a local bus. Services are available on daily basis starting early morning.
Alchi Monastery
Alchi Choskor Monastery is a branch of Likir raised by Lotsawa Rinchen Zangpo. It is one of the largest and most reputed monasteries of Ladakh. Its complex comprises of three sections – Dukhang, Sum-tsek, and the temple of Manjushri.
Unlike others, Alchi is located on a plain land and boasts of ancient sculptures, books, paintings, and figurines.
Key attractions: Sum-tsek, a three-story temple, four armed huge Bodhisattva statue, white Avalokiteshvara statue, idol of Maitreya Buddha, and Jampe Lhakhang Temple
How to reach: From Leh, travel on the banks of Indus River on the Leh – Srinagar road for 70 km to reach this age-old monastery. Private cabs are best options.
Phyang Moanstery
Phyang Gompa belongs to the red hat sect of Buddhism and is perhaps the most impressive monastery in Ladakh. It is located on a hilltop and thus offers stunning views of the surrounding.
This white and ochre colored structure is one of the must-visit monasteries in Ladakh and is an important hub of Digung teachings. The wall paintings at Phyang Gompa depict Buddhist culture and heritage.
Key attractions: 900-year-old museum depicting thangkas, different idols, Mongolian, Tibetan and Chinese weaponry and guns, Gang-Sngon Tsedup Festival, and Sacred Dance Festival
How to reach: 40 km from Leh, cabs take 1 hour 20 minutes to reach this monastery. From Leh, travel towards War Memorial, reach Spituk and then travel further 10 km to reach Phyang village.
Takthok Monastery
Located in Ladakh’s Sakti Village, Takthok is the only monastery of the Nyingmapa tradition. It is one of the most famous monasteries in Ladakh and houses close to 55 lamas. It possesses an amazing architectural style with rocky walls and roofs, central courtyard, assembly hall, beautiful frescos, murals, and the holy throne of His Holiness Dalai Lama. The 108 volumes of Kandshur teachings of Buddha are preserved here.
Key attractions: Meditation cave of Padmasambhava and Statues of Future Buddha, Dorje and Takposal
How to reach: It is 50 km away from Leh and can be reached by bus or a cab. Snowfall and bad weather may hamper the road travel.
Sumda Chun Monastery
Again, one of the oldest monasteries of Ladakh, Sumda Chun Monastery was founded by Lotsawa Rinchen Zangpo. This vintage construction comprises of three temples and a huge assembly hall.
Key attractions: Image of four headed Vairocana and murals of Ratnasambhava, Akshobhya, Amitabha and Amoghasiddhi
How to reach: 65 km away from Leh, Sumda Chun can be reached by private cabs only, as bus service is not available. However, the road is motorable up to Sumda. From there, the track is rugged and bumpy and descends along a stream to reach the gompa.
If you have missed these heavenly abodes during last Ladakh trip, do include them in the next one. These monasteries in Ladakh are surreal, serene and absolutely stunning.
Note: Continued from http://triyana.in/2017/05/18/explore-the-10-monasteries-in-ladakh/
0