Druk White Lotus School (Druk Padma Karpo School or Rancho School) is a Buddhist cultural school in Shey village of Leh near the Shey Monastery and Palace. In the Bodhi language, Karpo means “white,” and Padma means “lotus,” the school has been named after a great scholar, Mipham Pema Karpo.
This school gained popularity after the shooting of some scenes of the Bollywood movie “3 Idiots”. Druk white lotus school teaches traditional Nepalese Buddhist values and cultural practices of Buddhism and is an 18-year-old teaching school.
It became a popular tourist destination after visitors searched for Rancho School, the name of Aamir Khan, in the movie 3 Idiots. There is a ‘Rancho Wall’ on the school premises, where Chatur, in the film, received an electric shock.
Druk White Lotus School has earned several national and international awards for leading-edge environmentally friendly architecture, which is helpful for the extreme weather conditions of Ladakh. Druk Padma Karpo Educational Society maintains the school and remains open for visitors between 8 AM to 6 PM.
A Rancho’s cafe and a gift shop are inside the school grounds.
History of Druk White Lotus School Leh
Also known as ‘Rancho School,’ Druk White Lotus School was established in 1990 at the request of local people to give children a rich knowledge of Buddhism and to meet the educational needs of children in remote places like Ladakh. The aim was to develop a common foundation that combines creativity with practical learning along with the preservation of Ladaki traditions and culture.
The school was constructed in 1998 under the guidance of the famous construction firm Arup Associates. The architectural design was environment-friendly for adapting to and surviving Ladakh’s harsh climate.
There is only one building on the campus, and everything else is outdoors on the ground. The building comprises local materials such as rammed clay, stones, wood, and internal passive solar heating systems to maintain room temperature all year round.
There is a Rancho wall on the ground that has a wall painting showing how Chatur was electrocuted in the movie’ 3 Idiots’, which makes it a prime tourist spot.
The innovative learning and the environment-friendly design honored the school with various awards, including the 2002 World Architecture Award for Best Beautiful Building and Best Education Building.
Nearby Places at Druk White Lotus School
After visiting Rancho School, you can also explore its nearby attractions, which are discussed below.
Thiksey Monastery: Thiksey Monastery is a Tibetan-style Buddhist Monastery located 4.2 km from Druk White Lotus School. The Monastery is a twelve-storey building that simo the architectural design of the Potala Palace of Lhasa in Tibet.
Located on the top of a hill, the prime attraction at the Monastery is the 15-meter-high statue of Maitreya Buddha. Thiksey Monastery has ten temples and is home to about 100 monks.
The Monastery features Buddhist thangkas, stupas, wall paintings, and statues.
Shey Monastery:
Shey Monastery or palace is another attraction near Rancho School. Situated 1.4 km from the school, Shey Monastery is an ancient monastery that houses a 39-foot-tall statue of Sakyamuni Buddha, the second largest Buddha statue in J&K. Earlier, it was the summer capital of Ladakh, but now it is in ruins. You can visit the Monastery during the Shey Rhupla and Shey doo Lhoo festivals which are celebrated in July or August.
Leh Palace:
Locally known as “Lhachen Palkhar,” a royal palace located 16.4 km from White Lotus School. Built-in the 17th century under the leadership of King Sengge Namgyal, the palace houses a prayer room and a museum. There are a lot of Buddha paintings inside the palace, relics, old utensils, and artifacts that belonged to the royal family of Ladakh, about 450 years old. Leh Palace is currently under the Archaeological Survey of India to preserve its cultural significance.
Hemis Monastery:
another attraction to visit on your Rancho school trip is Hemis Monastery, situated at a distance of 27.9 km. It is the largest and wealthiest Monastery in Ladakh, which King Sengge Namgyal built. The Monastery belongs to the Dugpa Kargyupta or Red Hat sect of Tibetan Buddhism. Hemis Monastery is famous for the Hemis festival, a two-day event held annually in June. Hemis festival features Chham dances or masked dances by monks and the unfurling of Ladakh’s largest Buddhist Thangka (painting).
How to reach Druk White Lotus School
Druk White Lotus School is 15 km from Leh in the Shey village. The school is accessible both via a flight and road.
By flight: Book your flight from any major Indian city, such as Delhi, Mumbai, Jammu, Srinagar, etc, to Kushok Bakula Rimpochee airport in Leh. After reaching the airport, you can book a cab, taxi, jeep, or bus to visit Rancho School.
You can reach Leh via the Srinagar-Leh highway or the Manali-Leh highway. Upon reaching Leh, you can drive 20-30 minutes to Druk White Lotus School, which is situated in Shey village.
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Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the best time to visit Rancho School?
The best time to visit the school is during the summer, from mid-April to October when the weather is warm and favorable, and the school is open.
2. Is any permit required to visit Druk White Lotus School?
No permit is needed to visit the school; you can explore it anytime between 8 AM and 6 PM.
3. Who is the founder of Rancho School?
Gyalwang Drukpa, the renowned spiritual leader of the Drukpa lineage, founded the school.
4. Is photography allowed at Druk Padma Karpo School?
Yes, visitors can take some pictures of the school building and surroundings, keeping in view the privacy of the students and staff.
5. Are there any accommodations near the school?
Yes, there are hotels, guesthouses, and homestays where you can stay and visit the school and its nearby places.