Shey Monastery is a beautiful Gompa located in Shey village about 15 kilometers in the south direction of Leh. It is perched on a beautiful hilltop and was built under the rule of King Deldan Namgyal in 1655 in memory of his father Sengge Namgyal, the Shey Palace was the summer home for the royals of Ladakh. It was destroyed along with Shey Palace during the Dogra attack in 1842 which forced the Royal family to leave the palace and shift to nearby Shey village.
renowned for its two-story gold and copper gilded idol of Sakyamuni Buddha, the Shey Palace is the topmost tourist attraction of Ladakh which offers breathtaking scenes of surrounding snow-clad mountains and other nearby places such as Matho, Thiksey, Stok, and Leh. Apart from its intricate architecture, the monastery also offers amazing views of the surrounding natural beauty.
Also called ‘The Palace of Mirrors’, Shey Palace comprises religious murals on the walls of the upper story which is a significant feature of its architecture. These walls on both sides depict 16 Arhats, 8 on each side.
Shey Monastery houses a library on the lower floor that comprises ancient religious manuscripts and murals of Buddha. Tourists can also explore the beautiful views of the Indus River and Indus Valley. While visiting Shey monastery, make sure to obtain a special permit from the head lama as the monastery is not open to the public due to its religious significance.
History of Shey Monastery Ladakh
The town of Shey was earlier the summer capital of Ladakh. The Dogras captured Ladakh in the year 1842, due to which the Royal family of Ladakh (Namgyals) had to leave the royal residence and escape to Stok Palace.
built-in 1655, monastery was announced as the summer capital and served as a summer home for the rulers of Ladakh.
Festivals at Shey Monastery
During your trip to this Monastery, you can also enjoy festivals here which are seasonal and represent the rich culture and religious harmony of Ladakh. Below are the two major festivals which tourists can enjoy at Shey Monastery.
Shey Doo Lhoo
The sowing season in Ladakh begins in July and August months which is a major celebration for the farmers of Ladakh. Shey Doo Lhoo festival is celebrated during the start of this season and it falls on the first month of the Tibetan calendar.
On this two-day event, the lamas perform special rituals and religious ceremonies. After the performances are over, an oracle reader visits on horseback to this monastery and conducts a three-day-long prayer. After the prayer, the oracle goes into a deep hypnotic trance.
Shey Rupla
Another festival celebrated in the monastery is Shey Rupla, marking the start of the harvesting season in Ladakh. Farmers distribute the first corn fruit to the people during this festival. Rhupla dance, a traditional dance is performed by two men who are in tiger costumes. It is also believed that women who don’t have children especially visit the monastery during this time to seek blessings from Buddha and have children.
Nearby travel attractions in Shay Palace
A trip to Shey monastery allows visitors to explore a few other attractions. There is a statue of Maitreya Buddha located near Shey Monastery about 400 meters away. There is also a beautiful small lake in front of the monastery which is a delight to watch.
You can also visit Thiksey monastery which is only 6 kilometers from Shey monastery. There is another tourist attraction near Shey Palace called Photong, which is the official residence of the lama. This place offers mesmerizing views of the Indus Valley.
How to reach Shey Monastery
The fastest and easiest way to reach Shey is to travel via a flight to Leh and then book a taxi or cab to reach the monastery. For an adventurous trip, you can travel to Ladakh via road and then visit Shey monastery.
By Air: The nearest airport to Shey Palace is Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport. Regular flights are operating from Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, or Srinagar to Leh airport. After reaching Leh, visitors can hire a cab to reach Leh or directly to Shey monastery.
By road: If you want to travel by road, then you can book a cab, taxi, or bus on the Karu which lies on the Leh Manali highway. The journey will take you to Shey monastery in about 20-25 minutes.
The best time to visit Shey Monastery
The best time to visit Shey is during the summer season from May to October when the weather is comfortable for travelling.
Summer: It is the most favorable season for a Ladakh trip as the weather remains dry and pleasant allowing tourists for outdoor activities and nature walks. From May to October, the climate remains warm with temperatures ranging from 15 to 25 degrees Celsius. To enjoy the festivals of Shey monastery, tourists can plan their trip in July and August as Shey Doo Lhoo and Shey Rupla take place during this period.
Winter: Due to heavy rain and snow, The roads at Srinagar and Manali are closed from November to April making it difficult or inaccessible to reach Leh. Therefore, those who want to visit Leh in winter, can book a flight and then hire a cab to reach Shey monastery.
Timings and entry fees for Shey Monastery
The monastery remains open on all days of the week from 6 AM to 1 PM and 1.30 to 6 PM. There is a break time of 15 minutes between 4 to 4.15 PM. The entry fee is 30 INR per person for both Indian and international travelers and also there are parking lots for visitors which are free of cost.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Are there any facilities available for tourists in the Monastery?
Restrooms and a cafeteria are available near Shey Palace, but there are no proper accommodation options in the Monastery. There are several guesthouses and hotels in Leh where tourists can stay overnight.
Is there mobile connectivity at Shey Monastery?
The mobile networks work fairly poor at Shey but BSNL and Airtel postpaid provide good connectivity here.
What is the most unique and major attraction of Shey?
There is a 12-meter-tall colossal gold-plated statue of Sakyamuni Buddha, which is famous as a masterpiece of Ladakh’s artistic culture.
Are there any guided tours available for Shey Palace and the monastery?
Yes, you can travel via guided tours provided by local guides who give you extensive information about the Monastery and its nearby attractions.
Which festivals are celebrated at Shey Monastery?
There are two annual festivals celebrated in Shey village namely Shey Rupla and Shey Doo Lhoo.