Monasteries and religious sites in Leh district

Ladakh's Sacred Monasteries

Ladakh's spiritual landscape is defined by centuries-old Tibetan Buddhist monasteries perched on rugged hillsides. This collection features prominent Gelugpa and Drukpa institutions, including the 12-story Thiksey Gompa and the isolated Hemis Monastery. The list encompasses diverse sacred architecture, from the white-domed Shanti Stupa built by Japanese Buddhists to the 11th-century murals of Alchi. Beyond Buddhism, it includes Gurdwara Pathar Sahib, a 16th-century Sikh site commemorating Guru Nanak's visit to the region.

Ladakh's Sacred Monasteries — Map

Redtigerxyz / CC BY-SA 3.0

A

Thikse Monastery

Thiksey Monastery or Thiksey Gompa is a Buddhist monastery affiliated with the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism.

McKay Savage / CC BY 2.0

B

Shanti Stupa

Built in 1991 by Japanese Buddhist Bhikshu Gyomyo Nakamura, this white-domed stupa holds relics of the Buddha at its base, consecrated by the 14th Dalai Lama.

McKay Savage / CC BY 2.0

C

Namgyal Tsemo tower and chapel

Constructed in 1430 by King Tashi Namgyal, this site features a three-story high gold statue of Maitreya Buddha and a collection of ancient manuscripts and murals.

Baldiri / CC-BY-SA-3.0

D

Diskit Gompa

The oldest and largest Buddhist monastery in the Nubra Valley, founded in the 14th century. It is known for its 32-meter statue of Maitreya Buddha overlooking the Shyok River.

E

Sankar Monastery

Sankar Monastery, or Sankar Gompa is a Buddhist monastery within an easy half-hour walk from Leh in Ladakh, northern India.

F

Soma Gompa

Located in the center of Leh, this modern Buddhist temple serves as the headquarters for the Ladakh Buddhist Association and hosts communal religious gatherings.

John Hill / CC BY-SA 4.0

G

Hemis Gompa

Hemis Monastery is a Himalayan Buddhist monastery of the Drukpa Lineage, in Hemis on the bank of the Indus River, Ladakh, India.

H

Gurdwara Pathar Sahib

A Sikh shrine constructed in 1517 to commemorate Guru Nanak’s visit to Ladakh. It houses a large boulder believed to bear the imprint of the Guru's body.

Jacques Pire / CC-BY-SA-3.0

I

Dupgyut Tantar Chhosling Gompa

Korzok, དཀོར་མཛོད་ is a Tibetan Buddhist monastery belonging to the Drukpa Lineage.

Vskmenon / Public domain

J

Alchi Gompa

An 11th-century monastic complex renowned for its Indo-Tibetan wall paintings and wood carvings, which represent a distinct artistic style from later Tibetan monasteries.

hamon jp / CC BY-SA 3.0

K

Lingshed Gompa

Lingshed Monastery or Lingshed Gompa is a Gelugpa Buddhist monastery in Ladakh, India.

Vinod Krishna / CC BY-SA 3.0

L

Stakna Monastery

Stakna Monastery or Stakna Gompa is a Buddhist monastery of the Drugpa sect in Stakna, Leh district, Ladakh, northern India, 21 or 25…

M

Hanle Gompa

Hanle Monastery is a 17th-century gompa of the Drukpa Lineage of the Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism located in the Hanle Valley, Leh…

N

Gompa

A local Buddhist monastery located near the village of Tangste.

O

Lamayuru Monastery

Lamayuru or Yuru Monastery is a Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Lamayouro, Leh district, Ladakh, India.

P

Lamayuru Meditation Center

A facility adjacent to the ancient Lamayuru Monastery dedicated to meditation practices and retreats within the Drikung Kagyu tradition.

Q

Rizong monastery

A Gelugpa monastery established in 1831, known for its strict monastic discipline. It is situated in a rocky valley and houses a collection of thangkas and statues.

R

Dukgasling Gonpa

A Buddhist monastery and assembly hall located near the Alchi monastic complex.

S

Chemre Gompa

A 17th-century monastery of the Drukpa lineage featuring a large statue of Padmasambhava and a library containing the 108 volumes of the Kangyur.

T

Prayer Flags

A site featuring traditional Tibetan Buddhist prayer flags used to bless the surrounding landscape and promote peace, compassion, and strength.

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