Monasteries in Ladakh

Founded in the 11th century by the great translator Ringchen Zangpo, this monastery has a strong influence of Indian architectural style as he built it on his return from India, ..

Built in 1430 on a cliff behind the Leh Palace, this gompa was founded by King Tashi Namgyal. It has a three-storey high gold idol of Buddha along with ancient manuscripts and frescoes.

This gompa belonging to the reformist Gelukpa sect, is a pleasant 2 km walk north of Leh. It is a subordinate monastery of Spituk and is the residence of the Kushak Bakula,..

Shanti Stupa

Located about 3 kms west of the bazaar, this white monument of peace was built by a Japanese Buddhist order to commemorate 2,500 years of Buddhism and to spread the message of peace...

Situated on a low hill about 52 kms from Leh, this exceptional yet less visited monastery was founded in the 14th century. It is also known as Klu-kkhyil (water spirits) Gompa..

Sitting impressively on a hilltop right of the Indus, about 8 kms from Leh, Spituk Gompa was built in the 15th century. It is one of the most influential monasteries of..

This monastery is situated on the Wakha river valley between Kargil and Mulbekh, about 240 kms from Srinagar and is a tough ascent halfway up a mountain slope.

Located about 17 kms south of Leh, this monastery of characteristic beauty is probably the most photographed, and also the best place around Leh to see a puja.

Built in 1814, the Stok Palace, which used to be the home of the Kings of Ladakh is situated opposite Leh on the other side of the river Indus. It is the only inhabited palace, the..

Situated 15 kms south of Leh towards Thiksey, the ruins of this former summer palace of the kings of Ladakh is perched high up on a rocky cliff. The 12 m Sakyamuni Buddha statue made of gold-plated..

This is the oldest of the major gompas situated on or near the Indus and is believed to have been the sacred site for the pre-Buddhist religion known as Bon. Built in the 10th century,

As its name suggests (Phug means cave), the honey-comb-like Phugtal Monastery, home to more than 70 monks, stands at the opening of a large cave on a cliff above the Tsarap River.

Built in the 17th century by King Sengge Namgyal, it was abandoned in the mid-19th century when the Kashmiri forces laid siege. The royal then family moved south to the current home..

Situated in the Zanskar valley, 20 kms south of Rangdum, this an exceptional cave monastery. It is spectacularly nestled on a rock-face overlooking the Zongkhul falls. The Indian yogi Naropa,..