Alchi Monastery or Alchi Gompa is one of Ladakh’s most visited and oldest monasteries built in Tibetan architecture. It is located in Khalsi tehsil on the Leh-Srinagar highway in Alchi village. The monastery has two primary temples- Alchi Du Khang and Sum Tsek.
Situated on the banks of the Indus River at an elevation of 3,100 meters, Alchi village is just 4 km from the Srinagar Leh highway and 65 km from Leh.
A famous scholar and translator, ‘Rinchen Zangpo’ established the Alchi monastery in 958-1055 CE in the 10th century. Alchi Monastery offers a serene environment with unique designs and craftsmanship. This monastery is also part of three villages that constitute the ‘Alchi group of monuments’ along with Mangyu and Sumda Chun villages. The monuments in all three villages are famous for their unique styles and craftsmanship.
The monastery of Alchi is popular for its exquisite murals, sculptures, a Kashmiri-style assembly hall, and paintings showcasing intricate details of the ancient rulers of Ladakh. Unlike other monasteries which are located on a hilltop, Alchi Choskor or Alchi monastery rests on a lush green flat ground.
You can also witness a beautiful Buddha statue, intricate artwork, and charming wood carvings in the Alchi monastery.
You can visit the monastery in the summer season from May to September when the roads are clear and the weather is also favorable for traveling.
there are two popular Gompas Alchi & Lamayuru. it’s an old Tibetan Buddhist Monastery or Temple located in this Village. and in Our Ladakh tour packages, you will cover this on the Sham Valley trip
History of Alchi Monastery
Alchi Monastery has great historical significance and its history states that it was established by popular scholar and translator Rinchen Zangpo in the 10th century. However, the inscriptions preserved in the monument show that the monastery came into existence in the 11th century by a Tibetan noble Kal-Dan Shes Rab.
The Alchi Monastery traces all the way back to almost 1,000 years thus the impact of the Tibetan impact should be visible in the neighborhood culture. There are five sanctuaries in the Choskor Temple Complex which has some stunning divider compositions.
One of its dividers highlights large number of smaller-than-usual estimated photos of the Buddha. Three enormous measured pictures made of mud painted splendidly are its central fascination. As of now not a functioning strict focus, it is taken care of by priests from the Likir Monastery. Since the most recent 500 years, religion isn’t drilled in the Monastery.
Architecture of Alchi Monastery
The Alchi monastery features a Tibetan style of architecture with three major segments or shrines- SumTsek (the main temple), the Manjushri temple, and Dukhang (the assembly hall).
Sumtsek is a three-story temple which is made up of loam and natural stone. It has a massive statue of Bodhisattva with four arms. There is also a Maitreya Buddha statue on the ground floor along with Avalokiteshvara and Manjushri statues.
Manjushri dates back to 1225 AD and has old paintings of Buddha and its teachings.
Dukhang is the assembly hall and the largest preservation section which has a classic architecture made up of wooden door frames. Years ago, the walls of the assembly hall were painted with several forms of goddesses and Buddha.
Divider artistic creations are the significant attractions here as they portray subtleties of both Buddhist style and Kashmiri style. The mind-boggling houses an immense sculpture of the Buddha and luxurious wood carvings and work of art, like rococo style.
lchi is viewed as one of the main Buddhist places in Ladakh and furthermore as one of the ascetic gems of Ladakh
Places to visit near Alchi Monastery
On your trip to Alchi Monastery, you can also explore some nearby attractions which are described below
Likir Monastery: Likir Monastery was established in the 15th century under the rule of Lhawang Lodos Sangphu who was the disciple of Khasdubje. The Monastery is known for its massive Buddha statue and an annual event called Dosmochey which plays an important role in the life of local people.
Lamayuru Monastery: Lamayuru Monastery or Swastika Monastery or Moonland of Ladakh is an 11th-century monastery that is 127 km from Leh town. The monastery is famous for its rich collection of wall paintings and Thangkas.
Phyang Monastery: Phyang Gompa or Phyang Monastery is a Buddhist monastery situated in Fiang village 17 km west of Leh. The name Phyang is derived from Gang Ngonpo which translates to ‘Blue peak’ in Ladaki. Phyang Monastery boasts a 900-year-old museum that has a great collection of thangkas, idols, and weapons of Chinese, Mongolian, and Tibetan origin.
Kargil: You can also visit Kargil town which is perched at an altitude of 8,780 feet above sea level and is the second largest town after Leh. The town has a rich cultural history and it is home to various monasteries that host several vibrant festivals.
Timings and Charges
The monastery is open on all days of the week. The timing is between 10 AM to 1 PM and 2 PM to 6 PM. The charges for visiting the monastery are INR 25 for Indian tourists and INR 50 for international travelers.
The best time to visit Alchi Monastery
The best time to visit Alchi Monastery is during the summer and monsoon season. From May to September, the weather is pleasant with warm temperatures and open roads which makes it favorable for traveling. The roads get closed from November to April which makes it difficult to travel.
You can also plan your trip to Alchi monastery during the festivals of Tibetan New Year, Dajyur, Sho Dun, Galdan Namchot, Monlam, and Losar.
How to reach Alchi
You can reach the Alchi monastery in two ways- by air and by road.
By Flight: The nearest airport to Alchi monastery is situated in Leh which is at a distance of 70 km. After reaching Leh airport, you can book a jeep or bus to Alchi monastery and reach there via Sham Valley.
By road via Kargil: the best way to visit Alchi monastery is through Sasapol from NH1 via Kargil town. You can book a cab or bus and reach Alchi.
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Frequently asked questions
Is there any festival celebrated in Alchi Monastery?
Yes, you can witness here the Alchi Gustor festival which showcases traditional Cham dances, cultural events, and rituals.
What is the major attraction of Alchi?
The major attractions in this monastery are ancient murals, sculptures, and wall paintings depicting details of Buddhist and Kashmiri styles of Architecture.
Is photography allowed inside Alchi Monastery?
Photography is banned in Alchi monastery to preserve ancient artworks. However, you can click pictures from outside the monastery.
How far is Alchi from Leh town?
Alchi Monastery is located at a distance of 70 km from Leh and the best way to reach here is via a cab or renting a bike.
How old is Alchi Monastery?
It is a 10th-11th century monastery belonging to the Gelugpa sect of Tibetan Buddhism.