Thiksey Monastery

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Sight Address : Thiksey Monastery located 18 km east of Leh (about 30-40 mins drive from the Leh city). Edit

Detail InformationEdit

Thiksey Monastery, an outstanding specimen of Ladakhi architecture, is a glorious Buddhist monastery located 18 km east of Leh (about 30-40 mins drive from the Leh city). Standing on the picturesque top a hillock, the monastery encloses encloses numerous stupas, Thangkas, statues, swords, wonderful wall paintings and a large pillar carved with Buddha’s ideas and preaching, all in a mammoth 12 storied building complex. Thiksey Festival, a major Arrraction for tourists and Buddhist devotees, is conducted here with splendor and much pomp. Shey Gompa and Matho Gompa are nearby Arrractions to visit.

Thiksey Monastery, Leh, India

HistoryEdit

In the early 15th century, Tsongkhapa, the founder of the reformed Gelugpa School (the Yellow hat sect), sent six of his disciples to remote regions of Tibet to spread the teachings of the new school. Tsongkhapa gave one of his disciples, Sherab Sangpo, a small statue of Amitayus (Chepakmet), the Buddha of longevity who is invoked for long life, health and happiness. It contained bone powder and a drop of Tsongkhapa’s own blood. Tsongkhapa directed him to meet the King of Ladakh with a message seeking his help in the propagation of Buddhist religion.[5][6] The King, who was then staying in the Nubra valley near Shey, greatly liked the gift of the statue. After this meeting, the King directed his minister to help Sherab Sangpo to establish a monastery of the Gelugpa order in Ladakh. As a result, in 1433, Sangpo founded a small village monastery called Lhakhang Serpo (meaning Yellow temple) in the village of Stagmo, to the north of the Indus River. In spite of his efforts, the lamas who embraced the Gelugpa order, were initially few, although some of his disciples became eminent figures over the years.Tsong khapa pictured behind a prayer wheel, located in the steps that lead to the main part of Tikshe monastery.
In the mid 15th century, Palden Sangpo continued the monastic work started by his teacher, Sherab Sangpo. He decided to build a larger monastery here that was dictated by an unusual event that occurred while choosing the site for the monastery. Legends narrate that Tsongkhapa had predicted that his doctrine would prosper on the right bank of the Indus River. This prediction came true when the Thiksey monastery was established first. This was followed by others such as the Spituk and Likir monasteries, which are also situated on the right bank of the Indus.According to another legend, Sherab Sangpo and Palden Sangpo were performing some sacred rituals near the Sangmo Lakhang. The ritual offerings (known in local language as torma (ritual cakes) made from sattu or chickpea flour) were then taken to a rock outcrop to be thrown down to the valley. As they were about to throw the torma into the valley, two crows appeared suddenly from somewhere and carried away the ceremonial plate with the offering of torma. They then placed the torma at a location on the other side of the hill. When Palden Sangpo and his disciples began looking for the torma, they reached Thiksey, where they found that the crow had placed the torma on a stone in perfect order and in an undisturbed condition. Palden took this finding as a divine directive to build the monastery here.

Must SeeEdit

Popular

Visiting TimeEdit

9.00 am to 5.00 pm

Closed OnEdit

N.A.

Best Season to VisitEdit

June to October

Best Time To VisitEdit

Morning , Afternoon, Evening.

Time Required for SightseeingEdit

6 hours to 8 hours.

Ticket Required : Yes Edit

Individual National Adult Rs. : Rs.190

Kids Rs. : Rs.190

Individual Foreigner Adult Rs. : Rs.190

Kids Rs. : Rs.190

Still Photo Camera Rs. : N.A.

Video Camera Rs. : N.A.

Guide Required : No Edit

Approximate cost: N.A.

Dress Code (If Any) : No Edit

Dress Require: N.A.

Restaurants NearbyAdd / Edit

Hotel Horzey ; Leh, Jammu and Kashmir 194101 ; Ph/M – 01982 252454 ; Food Serve – N.A.

How to ReachEdit

Taxi : Thiksey Monastery located 18 km east of Leh,the monastery easily reacheable by taxi.

BUS : There are regular bus and taxi services to Leh. . Although, the roads to Leh are well maintained, it is a long and tiring journey of two days. JKSRTC provide service from Srinagar to Leh (700 km) which takes two days and HRTC provide service from Manali to Leh (474 km), which takes about 20 hours or two days if you halt in between. Buses will charge you anywhere between Rs 1,500 to 2,000 per person for a one way trip.Leh Bus Stand is barely a kilometer from the city. from bus stand taxi is available to reach these site.

Train : The nearest railway station to Leh is in Kalka from where you can take a bus or taxi to Manali via Shimla. There are regular taxis and bus services in Manali to and from Leh.
From New Delhi:Chandigarh Mumbai Bandra Terminus SF Express Kalka- New Delhi Shatabdi Kalka Delhi Passenger
From Mumbai: Paschim Express Slip
From Kolkata: Kalka Mail

Air : Leh is directly connected to Delhi through regular flights and it takes about 65 minutes to reach Leh from Delhi through flight. Direct flights also operate once a week from Leh to Srinagar and twice a week to Jammu and Kashmir. However, as the weather is unpredictable, a 2 to 3 hours hold-up is normal, especially on the early morning departures.
From New Delhi:Fly Smart, Jet Lite,Jet Airways Konnect.
From Mumbai:Fly Smart,Jet Airways Konnect, Air India.
From Kolkata:Jet Lite, Air India. Delhi-Leh ﬂ ights rarely cost under Rs.11,500 in
summer but in winter Rs.4000 is possible. Unusually, Leh’s airline oﬃ ces sometimes undercut
online prices.
Air India (Map p 246 ; %252076; Fort Rd;
10am-1pm & 2-4.30pm) Leh–Delhi (Rs.11,661),
via Srinagar (Rs.7354, Wednesday) or via Jammu
(Rs.8053, Monday and Friday). Fly to Jammu for
Dharamsala.
Jet Airways (Map p 249 ;%250999; Main
Bazaar; h10am-1pm & 2-5pm) Leh–Delhi daily
in August. Frequency drops gradually to twice
weekly in February.
Kingfisher (www.flykingfisher.com) Leh–Delhi
daily in summer.
Bus & Shared Jeep
KARGIL Bus (Rs.300, 10 hours) departs 4.30am

Others : Jeep services are also available here. 4wd jeeps are quicker, a little more expensive and reach more locations. Private hire jeeps are also available.

Things to CarryEdit

Carry your own food, drinking water,woolen cloths and a camera along to capture the amazing sights.

Safety / WarningEdit

1. Alcohol and tobacco should be completely avoided, as the low level of oxygen makes it very difficult to come out of a hangover and you don’t want to lose the sightseeing time, sitting in a hotel. Alcohol and coffee should also be avoided if you are in Leh on a trekking expedition. Tea, which is available in plenty, can be consumed.
2.Plastic is banned in Leh and Ladakh, so instead use biodegradable bags.