Thiksey Monastery or Gompa is the best Buddhist temple located 22 km away from the main Leh city on the way from Leh to Manali High way, the monastery is located in the village of Thiksey a majority of Shia Muslims. In our all-Ladakh tour packages we have included the Leh local trip and in this trip, you will explore Thiksey Monastery In Leh
Thiksey Monastery is often referred to as “Thiksey Gompa”, or Mini Potala of India due to its resemblance with the Potala Palace of Lhasa, Tibet. It is a beautiful monastery which is located in the serene Indus valley about 19 km from Ladakh.
The monastery features the Maitreya temple which was constructed here to commemorate the visit of Dalai Lama to Thiksey monastery in the year 1970.
Thiksey Monastery In leh belongs to the Gelugpa sect, or Yellow Har sect of Tibetan Buddhism which was founded by Sherab Zangpo,
a disciple of the Tibetan Buddhist leader Tsongkhapa.
This Buddhist monastery is located at an altitude of 3,600 meters and has a twelve-storeyed complex with various buildings on it that are arranged in ascending order of their importance.
The monastery also has a prayer hall which is decorated with beautiful murals and a 15 m tall statue of Maitreya Buddha. The highest level of the monastery has a stupa which is called Chorten.
The best time to visit Thiksey Monastery is from May to November when the weather is pleasant and ideal for travel. The monastery is accessible by air, and road as it is located just 19 km from Leh. A trip to Thiksey Monastery In Ladakh will offer you glimpses of Ladakh’s culture and religion.
History of Thiksey Monastery
As per history,monastery is a 15th-century gompa and it belongs to the Gelugpa sect of Tibetan Buddhism. Jangsem Sherab Zangpo, the disciple of Tsongkhapa is believed to have built this monastery in the 15th century. Since then, Thiksey Monastery In Ladakh has become an essential place for learning Buddhist religion and culture. The Monastery features a beautiful collection of Buddhist art, such as statues, thangpas, stupas, and ancient manuscripts.
The architecture of Thiksey Monastery In Ladakh
The architecture of Thiksey Monastery is often compared to the Potala Palace of Lhasa. Situated at a height of 11, 800 feet above sea level, the monastery is a 12-storey gompa with various buildings on it arranged in ascending order of their significance.
You will find a statue of Tibetan Deity at the entrance of Thiksey monastery and at the top of it is a Chorten or Stupa.
The monastery has 10 temples which offer mesmerizing views of nearby Shey and Stok monasteries and the Indus Valley. The most unique feature of Thiksey Monastery is that it has a separate building for female devotees.
Some of the attractions, buildings, and rooms of Thiksey Monastery include the Tara temple, Maitreya Buddha, the Assembly Hall, The Lamokhang temple, the Library, and the Rooftop.
Festivals and Fairs in Thiksey Monastery
The Thiksey Gustor Festival is a famous festival of Ladakh which is a two-day event held in October and November as per the Tibetan Lunar calendar. This festival celebrates the victory of good over bad and features vibrant Cham dance, sacred mask dance by monks, and other Buddhist rituals.
The rituals include offering a ‘Torma’ as a sacrifice which indicates evil forces. This festival ends with the destruction of torma by Black Hat dancers, called Argham which is then distributed among the public.
There are also fairs at the foothill where arts and crafts are sold such as sand statues which are decorated with colorful and beautiful patterns.
Places to explore near Thiksey Village Leh
There are a few attractions that you can visit on your trip to Thiksey Monastery.
Shey Palace and Monastery
It is one of the most famous nearby attractions in Thiksey which is situated about 5 km from Thiksey and was the former summer capital of Ladakh. It features a gold gilded statue of Buddha and offers majestic views of landscapes.
Hemis Monastery
You can also visit Hemis monastery which is the best place to visit in Ladakh. It is just a few km from Thiksey and is the largest monastery of Ladakh with stunning murals, Thangpas, and the Hemis festival.
Rancho School
Another attraction to discover near Thiksey is Rancho School which focuses on creative learning, critical thinking, and curriculum with a practical mindset. The school originally named “Ranchhodbhai School” was inspired by the character of Rancho from the popular Bollywood movie “ 3 Idiots”.
Guidelines to follow inside the Monastery
You should follow these instructions while visiting Thiksey Monastery
- You should take a rest on the first day of your trip to adjust to the high altitude.
- Wear modest clothes for visiting the monastery and apply sunscreen for protection against sunburns.
- No eatables or food items are allowed inside the monastery.
- Carry a water bottle with you for hydration.
- Maintain silence inside the monastery and keep your mobile phones silent.
- Taking photographs is allowed but do not use a flashlight.
- For videography, you must get permission from the monks.
- CCTV cameras are installed there so be careful of your behavior inside the monastery.
- Pets are not allowed inside the monastery.
- Get a postpaid sim with you as prepaid sims from other states do not work in Ladakh.
How to reach Thiksey Monastery
Reaching Thiksey will be convenient after reaching Leh. You can reach Leh by air, and road.
Reach Leh via air: The nearest airport to Thiksey is Kushok Bakula Rimpochee airport which is located at a distance of 19 km. After reaching Leh, you can reach Thiksey via car or bus.
By road: Thiksey is at a distance of 19 km from Leh, Ladakh. You can book a cab from Leh to Thiksey which will take 45 minutes to reach the monastery.
By bus: You can also reach this monastery via a bus by first reaching Choglamsar. From there you can get a direct bus to Thiksey and reach Thiksey monastery in 20-30 minutes.
The best time to visit Thiksey Monastery
The best time to visit Thiksey is during the Thiksey Gustor festival, which takes place in October and November. also, tourism in Ladakh starts from The month of April till October you can visit this place. if you are coming By flight to Leh. But if you are coming By road then May till September Only
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Frequently asked questions
1. Does Thiksey Monastery have any accommodation available?
The Monastery has a guesthouse where guests and tourists can stay and explore the monastery and nearby places. you can find the guest houses near the Thiksey but we suggest you to take a Night stay at Leh Market its only 22 km from this Vaillge
2. What are the opening hours and entry fees of Thiksey Monastery?
The monastery remains open for visitors from 7 AM to 7 PM on all days. There is a nominal entry fee of Rs. 40 per person but always check updated rates.
3. is there any special festival at Thiksey?
Monastery hosts various fairs and festivals but the most prominent and special festival is the Gustor Festival which is held in the 10th month of the Tibetan calendar which is October and November as per the Gregorian calendar.
You can experience traditional Cham dance and masked dance in this festival which represents the victory of good over evil.
4. What are the main attractions near Thiksey?
The main attractions include a 15 m tall Maitreya Buddha statue, shrines, ancient temples, and an assembly hall, also you can visit the Rancho School, Hemis Monastery in Leh, etc.
5. How far is Thiksey Monastery from Leh?
The Monastery is located at a distance of 19 km from Leh. you can get a local sharing cab at Leh taxi stand and it will take 30 minutes to reach this village