Ladakh Monastic Festivals
HEMIS & LAMAYURU FESTIVAL
WITH DAH HANU
HEMIS & LAMAYURU FESTIVAL
WITH NUBRA VALLEY
PHYANG & KARZOK FESTIVAL
WITH TSOMORIRIN LAKE
LADAKH FESTIVAL
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THE TRAVELLER'S GUIDE

Traveller's Guide


Kashmir > Himachal

Ladakh

Ladakh lies at altitudes ranging from about 9,000 feet at Kargil to 25,170 feet at Saser Kangri in the Karakoram. Thus summer temperatures rarely exceed about 27 degree in the shade, while in winter they may plummet to minus 20 degree even in Leh. Surprisingly though, the thin air makes the heat of the sun even more intense than at lower altitude, it is said that only in Ladakh can a man sitting in the sun with his feet in the shade suffer from sunstroke and frostbite at the same time.

CHOGLAMSAR:

The original Choglamsar village is situated on the bank of Indus river. The new Tibetan refugee camp just off the main road from Leh, which is important center for Tibetan Culture, History and Buddhism. Tibetan children village has library, Medical center, Traditional Handicraft shop and study center. Around  one Km from TCV towards Hemis the central Institute of Buddhist studies, the study center for Tibetan Buddhism and Ladakhi culture has Tibetan painting and sculpture school, library with good collection of  books.

STOK PALACE MUSEUM:

Around 14 Kms from Leh, across the Choglamsar bridge. The Stok Palace was built by King Tsespal Tondup Namgyal in 1825. The present Royal family resides at Stok Palace. The Stok Palace Museum has vast collection of thankas, traditional clothing and ornaments from Royal family. The Gurphug  monastery is 1 Km from the Palace and this is the branch of Spituk monastery. The festival called “Guru Tsechu” take place on the 9th and 10th days of the first month of Tibetan Lunar Calendar.

 SHEY PALACE:

Shey, 15 Km south of Leh, was constructed by the first king of Ladakh, Lhachen Palgyigon and of successive 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.

THIKSEY MONASTERY:

About 2 0Km south of Leh. 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. 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. There are chance to see prayer in the early morning.

 STAKNA 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.

 TAKTHOK MONASTERY:

Around 46 Km from Leh, Takthok monastery was a meditation cave of mahasidhas “Kunga Phuntsog”. Later, it started calling Takthok (rock roof) monastery. The festival of Takthok held on the 28th and 29th days of the 9th month.

 HEMIS MONASTERY:

Hemis monastery is one of the most famous and largest of all monasteries in Ladakh, 45 Kms south of Leh founded in 17th century belongs to the Drukpa order. the monastery was founded by Stagsang Raschegn who was invited to Ladakh by king Singee Namgyal. The king offered him religious estates and attended him as his principal guru. Hemis Tsechu (festival) assemble annually from 9th to 11th day of the 5th Tibetan month. The Gompa has well preserved Thankas and copper gilt statue of the lord Buddha, various stupas made of gold and silver and many auspicious objects. The largest thanka in Ladakh over 12 Mtrs. Long is at Hemis.

 MATHO MONASTERY:

Gompa is 26 Kms south of Leh on the opposite bank of Indus river, belongs to saskya order, founded about five hundred year ago by Lama Dunpa Dorjey. The festival called “ Matho Nagrang” takes place every year on the 14th and 15th days of the 1st Tibetan month.

 SPITUK MONASTERY:

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.

 PHYANG MONASTERY:

Phyang  is 17 Kms west of Leh on the blue hill, belongs to Dingung order, founded in 15th century by Chosje Danma Kunja Dragpa in the time of king Jamjang Namgyal. Phyang monastery is also called Tashi Chosang, which mark the first established of the Dingung to teachings in Ladakh. The festival of Gang-Sgnon Tsedub are held every year from 17th to 19th of the 1st month.

  

 PHUKTAL MONASTERY:

Hiking from Padum via Bardan, Mune and Char through the right side valley of the Tserap Lingti Chu, one reaches, after about three days, the magnificently situated monastery of Phuktal, part of which is hidden in a cave. Phuktal founded in the middle of the 15th century belongs to the reformed Gelygpa and is, at present the home of about 60 Yellow Hat Monks. Below the large cave lies the monks, village with the Nyingpa Lakhang. The cave contains the chorten with the relics of Shesreb Zangpo which is covered by several layers of lime paint

 RANGDUM MONASTERY:

Rangdum is the first Buddhist monastery one encounters on the way from Kargil to Panikar and Parkutse. From Kargil one can reach it in a seven to eight hours drive by Jeep. The monastery stands on a hill in a mountain valley, which in that area is rather wide. Rangdum was founded by the Gelugpa as in the early 16th century at present, over 40 monks live there under their abbot Ngari Rinpoche.

 SANI MONASTERY:

It takes one day drive from Kargi via Rangdum to reach the monastery and village of Sani, which lies about 10 Km before Padum. The Sani Monastery belongs to the southern branch of the Drukpa Kagyupa school. This sanctuary is, however for Buddhist of such high importance that even other sects worship it deeply. According to a legend, the chorten, standing in the oldest part of Sani monastery dates back to the 2nd century A.D. The Dukhang which forms the center of the later built monastery part, was erected in the early 17th century. A few meters to the north west of the monastery, outside the wall, lies one of the eight most important cremation grounds of Tibetan Buddhists.

 TONDE MONASTERY:

The village of Tonde can be reached from Padum in a four to five hours hiking tour through a bare, desert like plateau. The monastery Marpa Ling stands high above the village on the way to the Ronde Pass. The originally Red Hat Monastery was reformed in time and belongs now to the Gelugpa school. Over 50 monks of this sect are working in Tonde.

ZANGLA MONASTERY:

After a five hours walk from Tonde, along the right bank of the river Zanskar one arrives at Zangla the main village of the small principality bearing the same name. The castle of Zangla towering on a mountain ridge above the village is almost entirely destroyed. The Raja of Zangla lives, nowadays in the village amongst the common people.

 SOLANG VALLEY:

13 Kms is a splendid valley between Solang village and Beas Kund. Solang valley offers the view of the glaciers and snow capped mountains and Peaks. It has some fine ski slopes and the Mountaineering institute has installed a small ski lift for training purpose.

 ROHTANG PASS:

Rohtang pass is 51 Kms from Manali on highway to Keylong/Leh. It affords a wide Panorama of mountain scenery which is very spectacular. The pass is open from June to October each year although trekkers ,can cross it earlier. It is the gateway to Lahaul Spiti, Pangi and Leh valley. There is a beautiful sight of glaciers, peaks and Chandra river down in the Lahaul valley

 LAHAUL VALLEY:

Lahaul is marked by a central mass of almost uniformly high mountains and massive glaciers. The two rivers Chandra and Bhaga which rise on either side of the Baralacha La, flow through the Chandra and Bhaga narrow valleys. Lahaul is also a facinating areas for Buddhist art and culture. The monasteries of Lahaul are rich repositories of ancient murals, thankas, wood carving and golden images of Padmasambhava. The valley lies at a height 2745 meters above sea level. Summer in this valley is cool and pleasant with green grass and alpine flowers. Lahaul is very difficult and mountainous areas which remains cut off  for 4-5 months from the rest of the world. Lahaul Spiti is enclosed by high mountain ranges from all sides which make the access a difficult and sometimes impossible.

 SPITI VALLEY:

Spiti is the e sub division of Lahaul and Spiti district with its headquarter at Kaza. It is called “ little Tibet” because it has almost the same terrain, vegetation and climate. Spiti also means “ middle country”. It lies between Tibet, Ladakh, Kinnaur, Lahu\aul and Kulu. The sight of mountains in Spiti is unique. The Spiti river is flowing fast through deep georges at some places. The valley is not wide but there are villages and some fields where people grow barley, buck wheat, peas and vegetables.

 

LEKIR MONASTERY:

Located around 52 Kms from Leh, know as Klu-Kkhjil (water spirits) founded in the 14th century by Lama Dhwang Chosje a great champion of meditation. The site of the monastery was encircled by the bodies of two great spent spirits. Therefore, name became widely renowned as Lekir. 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 Lekir festival is held.

 ALCHI MONASTERY:

Alchi Choskor is the only monastery in the Ladakh on flat ground, around 69 Kms west of Leh. Largest and most famous of all of the temples and built by the great translator Ringchem Zangpo. The temple was founded in 11th century which accounts for the Indian and particularly Kashmiri influences.

 RIZONG MONASTERY:

Rizong is also known as Yuma Changchubling about 73 Kms from Leh and around 6 Kms from main road, founded about 138 years ago by the great Lama Tsultim Nima. Gompa belong to Gelukpa order. Dress and food provisions are provided for all member of the community by the Governing body of the monastery. The monastery is sited in a  most solitary positions and there is a nunnery place called chulichan down the monastery. The work of spinning wool, milking, extracting oil for the temple lamps has to be performed by all the nuns.

 LAMAYURU MONASTERY:

The oldest and spectacularly set Lamayuru monastery is about 125 kms. West of Leh, founded in the 10th century . in 11th century the Mahasiddha Naropa came to this place. Then Rinchen Zangpo translator came and built many temples and stupas and then teaching of the Kadampa school came to flourish. Later Jamyang Namgyal offered it to Chosje Danma and Digung Kargyut school were introduced and named Yungdrung Therpalling. The Yundrung Kabgyad festival is held on the 28th and 29th days of the 2nd Tibetan month.

 NUBRA VALLEY:

The Nubra valley lies in the north of leh and is accessible over the Khardungla pass 5600 Mtrs which is one of the highest motorable roads in the world. The Nubra valley has opened for Foreign Tourists in 1994 by the Govt. of India to expand tourists opportunities in ladakh region. The valley is on the trade route from leh to Khangar via Samsar and Karakoram passed. Apart from unparraled trekking opportunities. The valley have serval Buddhist Gompas Diskit Gompa is 350 years old and is situated on the highest point near the village in which there are about 120 Resident Buddhist Monks.

 TSOMORIRI  LAKE:

The Tsomoriri Lake is situated at an altitude of 4525 Mtrs & distance  of 240 Kms from Leh. The Lake is in the south east sector of Ladakh. It is like a pearl shape & having large minerals deposits. Korzok village is situated on the south west bank of this Lake. Korzok Gompa and its inhabitants the Nomads (Changpas) are most outstanding features of this Lake. Chumathang on the way to Korzok is famous for medical hot spring which is about 140 Kms from Leh.

 PANGONG LAKE:

The Pangong Lake situated at an altitude of 4350 Mtrs, Pangong Lake lie in the north east of Leh. This famous blue brackish Lake of Pangong is 5/6 Kms wide and over 144 Kms long with half of it running the other side of the “INDO CHINA BORDER”. The mountains around the Lake are of various shape and colors. The Lake with its color, an exquisite scintillating shade of blue, the orange and carmine tints of the sunset turn it into a wondrous work of nature. The villages, shepherd lands and the landscape enroute to this large are very interesting. This place may be approached by across the Changla pass (5486 Mtrs).

 ZANSKAR:

Zanskar, in the Kargil sub-division of Ladakh is situated between the Great Himalayan range in the south and Indus valley in the north. The river Zanskar which flows through it, joins Indus river a little below Leh. The whole valley is situated in the inner Himalayas and is higher than most other areas of Ladakh. The greatest attraction of Zanskar are its Buddhist culture, beautiful monasteries, awe-inspiring barren mountain shape and the twin peaks of NUN (7135 Mtrs.) and KUN (7077 Mtrs.). Padum is the headquarter of Zanskar and is joined by rough road to Kargil. The valley is about 300 Km long and is connected with Manali and Leh by passes over 5000 Mtrs. Trekking on these trails involve strenuous walking at altitudes between 300C and 5000 Mtrs. The people are mainly Buddhist and much like the people of Ladakh in their dress, customs and religion.

 PADUM:

Once capital of the Zanskar valley, lies on top of a hill at the far end of the Lungnak valley. The majority of its 400 – 500 inhabitants are Muslims who are engaged in trading. At the eastern border of Padum, a suspension bridge cross over the Tserap Lingti Chu. From there a path leads along its right bank, and further along the river Zanskar, towards Tonde and Zangla. To the southwest, slightly above Padum, lies the Monastery of Stagrimo, which can be reached in 15 minutes. The monastery of Stagrimo belongs to the Drukpa Kagyupa order and is presently the home of about 30 monks.

KARSHA MONASTERY:

The monastery of Karsha lies to the left of the river Doda. From the Tungri bridge, it takes four hours of trekking and three hours by the raft on the doda, to reach it. The monks quarters and temples of this biggest monastery of Zanskar can be seen crawling picturesquely up on a steep mountain slope. The monastery of Karsha belongs to the Gelugpa order and is looked after by Likir. Like in Like, the abbot is a brother of the Dalai Lama. The Chamba Ling temple, which one encounters on the way to the monastery, dates back to the 11th century whereas, the monastery itself was built in the 15th century.

BARDAN MONASTERY:

The monastery of Bardan can be reached from Padum by trekking four hours down stream. Built on a rock, it towers high above the Tserap Lingti Chu. The monastery belongs to the Drukpa Kagyupa order, the abbot is Stakna Rinpoche. The monastery was founded in the 16th century. Its most important room is the Dukhang, which lies on the ground floor. The shrine on the first floor is dedicated to Maitreya, the Buddha of future ages.

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