Lamayuru Monastery or you can say Yuru Monastery it’s an old titan Eternal Monastery” Buddhist Temple located 97 km from Leh city and on the way to Srinagar Karil Leh Highway Village Lamayuru Leh District.
only 9 km away from Fotu La at heights in Ladakh. and our Ladakh tour packages you will cover these places on Sham Vally trip. also if you book a Ladakh Kashmir tour you can reach Easily there.
Lamayuru Monastery, also called Yuru Monastery, is the largest and oldest in Ladakh and was founded in the 11th century by Mahasiddha Naropa. It is a calm place with various antique designs, mesmerizing views, and monks.
Nestled at 3,510 meters, the monastery is also called the “Moonland of Ladakh” because of the moon-like terrains in the Himalayas.
Earlier this monastery was established as a Bon Monastery, but later it became an important center of Drikung Kagyu and Gelug schools of Tibetan Buddhism.
Lamayuru Monastery has beautiful architecture resembling Tibetan designs. It features various shrines, temples, and residential buildings for monks.
The monastery offers a truly memorable experience and you can enjoy vibrant festivals amidst the scenic beauty of surrounding landscapes. You can visit here in June and attend the famous festival of this monastery called the Yuru Kabgyat Festival.
The best time when you can visit Lamayuru monastery is from May to October when the weather is favorable for traveling.
You can explore several places around Lamayuru Monastery such as Moonland, Karsha Monastery, Wanla Monastery, and Magnetic Hill.
History of Lamayuru Monastery
Also known as “Yuru Monastery” or “Moonland of Ladakh”, Monastery was founded in the 11th century and has a rich history. According to ancient legends and beliefs, the Lamayuru Monastery was initially the Bon Monastery of Ladakh. Lamayuru means ‘Sauwastika’ which translates to ‘symbol of eternity’. Yungdrang is the popular school in Bon which is now associated with Drikung Kagyu school of Buddhism.
The oldest structure in Lamayuru is the Seng-ge-Sgang temple which is located at the southern end of Lamayuru Rock.
As per Drikung history, The Monastery was founded by Mahasiddh Acharya Naropa in the 11th century.
At first, the monastery consisted of five buildings and the ruins of four buildings can still be seen there.
Things to do in Lamayuru Monastery
Some of the popular things to do in Lamayuru are as under
Visit Lamayuru Monastery
One of the main activities to do in Lamayuru is to explore Lamayuru Monastery. Here you can see the ancient halls, Murals, frescoes, and sculptures depicting Kashmiri style of Buddhist iconography.
Camp in Lamayuru
Lamayuru has various places where you can pitch your tents and camp overnight such as Wanla, Hinju, and Lamayuru village. Camping here will be an amazing experience after a day-long trekking and enjoying talks under the night sky.
March to November will be the best time to enjoy camping at Lamayuru.
Trek around Lamayuru
If you are a trek lover, then Lamayuru offers the best trekking opportunities with various trails leading to scenic villages and attractions. You can go for a trans-Himalayan trekking which starts from Lamayuru and goes up to Darcha in Zanskar which takes 18-20 days to complete. Trekkers can also go for Lamayuru to Wanla trek which is a 5-day trek.
Meditation or Yoga in Lamayuru
Lamayuru is the perfect place for yoga and meditation as it has a peaceful atmosphere that helps you calm your body, mind, and soul. Founded in 1970, this place has a yoga retreat center where monks and people from the village come to practice yoga.
Explore Moonland
On your Lamayuru visit, you should not miss exploring this unique landscape. It is just a short distance from Lamayuru Monastery. Moonland is a beautiful stretch of land that is similar to the surface of land. The place is famous for its uneven surfaces and strange rock formations providing a calm experience to tourists. The best location to witness these views of the terrain is Meditation Hill.
Attend Yuru Kabgyat festival
Lamayuru monastery hosts a 2-day Yuru Kabgyat festival which is held annually in the month of June. During the festival, you can enjoy traditional dances, rituals, and sacred masked dances by monks. It is also called ‘Mask festival’. Lamas from several countries such as Tibet, China, Japan, and Korea come here to attend this festival.
Where to stay at Lamayuru Monastery
As Lamayuru is situated 114 km from Leh, it is recommended to stay here overnight and explore the peaceful atmosphere of the village. Lamayuru offers various stay options such as hotels, guesthouses, and homestays which you can choose as per your choice and budget.
Moonland Hotel: This hotel is located in Lamayuru village and gives a surreal experience of nature away from the noise of city life. The hotel has a meditation room where you can practice yoga. There are several types of cuisines available in this hotel such as Chinese, Indian, Continental, and Ladaki.
Hotel Namkila Lamayuru: It is one of the best accommodations in Lamayuru which has a terrace with a garden, a bar, and a restaurant. All the rooms here offer a city view and a mountain view with all modern facilities.
Dragon Hotel Lamayuru: This hotel is just a five-minute walk from Lamayuru Monastery. It offers a cozy ambiance with clean, spacious, and affordable rooms. The hotel has a restaurant where you can enjoy both Indian and Ladaki dishes.
Shangrila Home Stay: It is located in Lamayuru village and features a beautiful garden, terrace, free parking area, and free Wifi. This homestay has two bedrooms, four bathrooms, and a well-equipped kitchen. You can enjoy vegetarian food here
How to reach Lamayuru
You can reach monastery either through Leh or Srinagar. Lamayuru is situated on the Leh-Srinagar highway and the easiest way to reach is via a flight to Leh and then hire a cab from here to reach Lamayuru monastery.
From Leh via a flight: The nearest airport to Lamayuru is Kushok Bakula Rimpochee airport. After reaching the airport, you can book a cab or taxi or rent a bike to your hotel and leave for a day trip from Leh to Lamayuru monastery.
Via road: The distance between Leh and Lamayuru is 114 km and it takes around 2 hours via a cab or bus to reach here.
From Srinagar via a train: Jammu Tawi is the nearest railway station which is 685 km from Lamayuru. You can book a taxi railway station to Lamayuru on the Srinagar Leh highway.
The best time to visit Lamayuru Monastery
The most ideal time to visit Lamayuru Monastery is between May to October. The road remains open in these months on both Srinagar and Manali sides. The roads are closed from November to April due to heavy snowfall.
Hence, if you want to visit this monastery in winter, then traveling by air is the only option to reach Leh and then Lamayuru.
If you wish to attend the Yuru Kabgyat festival, then you should visit the Lamayuru monastery in June
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Frequently asked questions
Why is Lamayuru called Moonland?
This place is often referred to as Moonland because of its unique moon-like landscapes with uneven rocky terrains and rock formations that are similar to the lunar surface.
Are there any entry fees for Lamayuru Monastery?
Yes, there is a small entry fee for visiting the monastery which is contributed to for the maintenance of the monastery.
Is accommodation available at Lamayuru Monastery?
There are several hotels, homestays, and guesthouses available in Lamayuru village. From basic to special, you can stay in any type.
Are there any festivals celebrated at the Lamayuru festival?
Yes, Lamayuru hosts a two-day annual festival Yuru Kabgyat which is marked by ritual dances by monks wearing colorful costumes and masks.