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Spituk Monastery
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 The Spituk Gonpa
"Exemplary"; 7km. to southwest of Leh, was founded by
Od-Ide, in the 11th century AD; when the monastic
community was introduced. Meanwhile, Lotsava Rinchen
Zangpo (the great translator) visited this monastery. In
those days the Gonpa belonged to the Kadampa School but
Gelukpa order was introduced during the reign of king
Dragspa Bum-Lde, when Lama Lhawang Lotus restored the
monastery. The "Spituk Gustor" takes place in the
courtyard of the monastery, on the 18th and 19th of the
11th month of Tibetan Calendar. |
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Shanti Stupa
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The Japanese for World
Peace built the Shanti Stupa, at Changspa, on the hilltop, and
was inaugurated by Dalai Lama in 1985. Its state of the
art work attracts a lot of tourists to Ladakh and is
spectacular to watch.
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Tsemo in Leh
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 King Gragspa Bum-Lde
built the "Red Gonpa" known as Tsemo Gonpa in 1430 AD. The
monument has three-storied Maitriya Buddha's statue and a
one-storied statue of Avaloketesvara and Manjushri. The
Tsemo Sungbum Chenmo (sacred text) was written in gold and
silver, Tisuru Stupa consist of 108 temples, which were
remarkable work completed in the reign of king
Graspa-Bum-Lde.
The Namgyal Tsemo (victory Peak) was built by King
Tashi Namgyal after the reunification of upper and lower
Ladakh and victory over Hor. Their (Hor) bodies are placed
under the image of Mahakala, the guardian deity to stop
further invasion of Hor. The Leh palace known as 'Lechen
Palkhar' was built by Singay Namgyal in the beginning of
17th Century A.D. The nine-storied palace is now deserted,
and the ASI (Archeological Survey Of India) has taken up
the renovation work.
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Sankar Gonpa
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The Sankar Gonpa is a
couple of kilometers away from Leh town. It belongs to the
Gelukspa school of Tibetan Buddhism. This small Gonpa is a
branch of the Spituk Monastery, founded by the first
incarnation of Skyabje Bakula (head monk of Spituk).
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Gonpa Soma (Jokhang), Leh
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The Ladakh Buddhist
Association in 1957 built the small Gonpa opposite to SBI,
in the main bazaar, which is open throughout the day for
visitors. The Gonpa contains a statue of Joyo Rinpochey
(crowned Buddha).
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Stok Gonpa and Palace
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Stok,
14 kms southeast of Leh, is a place, where the present day
royal family resides. The three days trek from Stok to
Spituk and the 8 days trek of Markha Valley starts from here. King Tsespal Tondup Namgyal built Stok palace & Museum
in the year 1825, after Zorawar Singh's annexation of
Ladakh. The royal family resides here since Ladakh lost to
Zorawar Singh. At present the palace has a collection of
royal dresses, old Thankas, King's crown etc. that is open
for visitors. Gurphuk Gonpa, a branch of Spituk Monastery
is a little away from the palace, which is famous for its
festival "Guru Tsechu" held on the 9th and 10th of the 1st
month of Tibetan Calendar.
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Shey Gonpa and Palace
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 Shey, around 15kms south of Leh was the seat of power
of the first king of Ladakh, Lhachen Spalgigon, who
constructed the hill top fortress. The ruins can be
seen further above the present Shey Palace. There are hundreds of Chortens (stupas) and Dresthang Gonpa built
around the palace, which are under the Thiksey
Monastery. King Deldan Namgyal built Shey Palace in the beginning of the 17th century AD. The main image in the monastery
is the three-storey statue of Buddha Shakyamuni, made
of copper guilt, |
which was made by Deldan Namgyal in the memory of his father Singay
Namgyal. The statue is the only of its kind in the
region. Dresthang Gonpa near the palace was built
during the reign of king Singay Namgyal, with a
three-storey statue of Buddha. "Shey Srubla" festival
is also held here at Dresthung Gonpa. The Rock-carved
statue of five Buddha can be seen below the palace on
the roadside, which was probably carved during the
reign of Singay Namgyal.
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Thiksey Monastery
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Thiskey Gonpa, 17kms. south of Leh the most beautiful
of all the Monasteries in Ladakh, belongs to the
Gelukspa order. The Gonpa was first built at Stakmo by
Sherab Zangpo. Later the nephew of Sherab Zangpo,
Paldan Sherab, founded the Thiskey Gonpa on a hilltop
to the north of Indus River. The Thiskey festival (Thiskey
Gustor) is held in the month of October- November.
Around 80 Monks resides here at present. Dukhang Karmo
is a huge long assembly hall, which consists of the
image of Shakyamuni and Maitriya |
Buddha
statues. Chamkhang at the top near the courtyard
contains the three storey Maitriya Buddha's statue,
constructed in recent years. Dukhang at the top,
consists of thousand armed Avaloketesvara, Shakyamuni
Buddha and Bodhisattavas, Gonkhang contains the statues
of Vajra Bhairava, Mahakala & Dharmakaya, the goddess
Paldan Lhamo and Cham-sring.
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Matho Gonpa
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Matho Gonpa, around 26km.
south east of Leh is the only Gonpa, which belongs to the
Saskya order and Lama Tungpa Dorjay founded it in the 16th
century and the Gonpa was named Thupstan-Sharling Choskor.
In order to introduce the Monastic community, the king
offered religious estate in neighboring villages and the
Nag-Rang festival was started, which is held on 14th and
15th day of the Tibetan calendar.
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Stakna Monastery
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Stakna (Tiger's nose); 25km. south of Leh, is a small
monastery comprising of few Dukhangs, which was founded
during the reign of king Jamyang Namgyal, in 1580, by
saint Chosje Jamyang Palkhar. The most important statue
in the monastery is said to be of Arya Avaloketesvara.
The monasteries like the one in Sani, Bardan and
Stakrimo, in Zangskar are branches of this monastery.
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Hemis Monastery
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 The Hemis Monastery is around 45 km. south of Leh,
which is one of the largest and most famous
monasteries, belonging to the Drukpa order. The
monastery founded by the first incarnation Stagsang
Raspa Nawang Gyatso in 1630, who was invited to Ladakh
by a king Singey Namgail, and offered him a religious
estate throughout the region. The youngest son, Nawang
Namgail, became a monk and his name was changed to
Zamling Drags. The Monastery was named Changchub
Samling and the community was introduced. The Hemis
festival is held in the month of June.
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Takthok Monastery
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The Takthok (the
monastery with rock ceiling); 50km. east of Leh, this is
the only monastery belonging to the Nimgmapa school of
order. The monastery came into existence when Guru Padma
Sambhava visited this place and blessed it in the 8th
century. The Gonpa was merely a meditation cave of Padma
Sambhava, with footprints and many other signs, until the
reign of King Tsewang Namgail. When Mahasiddha Kunga
Phunstog introduced monastic community. It was given the
name of Takthok Padmalinggon. The Takthok Festival is held
in the month of July or August.
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Phyang Monastery
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 Phyang Monastery, 17km.
west of Leh is remarkably built on the hilltop, similar to
the Likir monastery. This monastery belongs to the
Degungpa Order. It was the first monastery, which
introduced the Degungpa teaching of 'Skyob Jigsten Gonbo'
in Ladakh that was founded by Chosje Danma Kunga, during
the reign of King Jamyang Namgyal in the 16th Century A.D.
It has about 50 monks in residence. Phyang also has a
festival called 'Phyang Tseruk' on the 2nd & 3rd of the
6th month of Tibetan Calendar.
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Sumda Chun Monastery
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Sumda
Chon Monastery is around 65kms to the southwest of Leh,
which is connected by a motorable road, upto Sumdo. The
track starts ascending to the west, through a gorge from
the left bank of the stream. At one point, the track
crosses to the right bank and ascent becomes little more
difficult. One or two houses come in the way before
another gorge appears on the right which leads to the
Sumda chon Monastery and towards the left leads to Sumda
Chenmo. This track goes along the stream with plantations
of Willow. After walking for an hour the monastery appears
above the village houses. There is another short track
from Alchi Village through Stakspila, the
ascent from Alchi is more difficult and long compare to
Sumda side. The pass is open only in summer. The Sumda
Chon Monastery was probably founded during the period of
Lotsava Rinchen Zangpo with Alchi Choskor and Mangu
Monastery. The monastery comprises of three temples. The
assembly hall has the image of four headed Vairocana, as
the central or main image which is nicely decorated
probably better than the Alchi and the Mangu Monasteries.
The wall has murals of four Buddhas i.e. Ratnasambhava,
Akshokhya, Amitabha, Amogasiddhi and Vairocana. |
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