Thiksey Monastery

One of the most exquisite monasteries built in the Tibetan Buddhist style in India is Thiksey Monastery, which is situated in Leh's Eastern area. It is located between the frigid deserts of Leh and Ladakh at a height of around 3600 metres above sea level. Thiksey monastery, which has 12 stories, is the largest Tibetan monastery in Ladakh and is home to a number of stupas, sculptures, and other Buddhist artefacts. The monastery is divided into several sections, each of which has a unique architectural style that you may explore. Visitors from throughout the world are drawn to the monastery by its unique aesthetics and the surrounding grandeur of the snow-covered landscape. Apart from the sculptures, paintings, and other artefacts, the monastery is notable for having a separate structure for female renouncers.

To honour the Dalai Lama's fourteenth visit to this location, the monastery also houses Maitreya. This location is frequently referred to as having a rich cultural legacy, whether it be due to the harmonious coexistence of nature and workmanship, the mixing of numerous Buddhist sects, the coincidence of ancient and modern buildings, or the tranquil, relaxing atmosphere. If you happen to be in Ladakh, you must go there.

Entrance costs and hours : Both Indians and tourists must pay a 20 rupee admission charge to enter the Thiksey monastery.

Hours : From Monday through Sunday, from 7 AM to 7 PM, the monastery is open.

A legend states that Sherab and Palden Zangpo desired to construct a more substantial Tibetan monastery. Two crows appeared and flew away with the Torma offerings while they were completing the rites close to the Yellow Temple and were about to hurl the Torma down the valley to finish the rituals. As Palden Zangpo and a couple of his followers set out to find the Torma, they eventually arrived in Thiksey and discovered it there, being carried by crows and perched exactly where they intended it to be. They began erecting the Thiksey monastery here, believing it to be a divine order.

• Thiksey Gompa, one of central Ladakh's largest and most stunning monasteries, is perched on a hill with a view of Leh's chilly deserts.
• The monastery is frequently described as India's "Little Potala" since it is similar to Tibet's opulent Potala Palace.
• Upon visiting this 12-story tall temple known as Thiksey Gompa, one may witness a massive statue of the 'Maitreya' Buddha that is around 49 feet high.
• The Thiksey Monastery's structures were built in a hierarchical order, with each holding a special value and fulfilling a certain function.

The biggest monastery in Central Ladakh is Thiksey. It consists of a number of structures ranging in height from the hill's base to its summit, each one placed according to its significance. The mountain's base is marked with a statue of a Tibetan god, while its summit is marked by a stupa. Each of the structures is decorated with red, white, and ochre paint to imitate Tibet's Potala Palace.

Thiksey monastery is sometimes referred to as the little Potala due to the striking likeness. The monastery has a variety of Buddhist sculptures, murals, and stupas in addition to housing 60 lamas in quarters at the top of the hill. Together with the Maitreya Buddha statue, an assembly hall, the Tara temple, and the Lamokhang Temple are all located inside the monastery.

Thiksey Monastery is open for visitors from May to November. Yet, if you want to take part in the most celebrations, go there around October or November. These months saw the majority of trade shows as well as the Gustor ritual. Due to excessive snowfall, the monastery shutters in November and reopens in May. If you want to avoid too much snow and cold, you may also go there during May and June. You can explore the area the most easily during these months thanks to the brilliant weather. These months are filled with numerous little gatherings and festivities. At these events, sand mandalas are built at the foot of the hill. This monastery will thus provide you enough opportunities to take part in the celebrations even if you miss the most important event.

Thiksey Gustor :

The Gelugpa school of Tibetan Buddhism's Thiksey Monastery, a well-known tourist destination in Ladakh, hosts the Thiksey Gustor Festival. The 15-meter-tall Maitreya Buddha statue, which is the tallest monument in Ladakh, is the major draw of this monastery, which is the biggest in the heart of the region.

The Tibetan term "Gustor" means "sacrifice" in English. Throughout the course of two days, the event is observed with a variety of rites, ceremonies, folk music, and traditional dances.

A unique morning prayer is recited before the Thiksey Gustor Festival in Ladakh, during which time the monks read the Buddhist sutras in unison. The audience is put into a trance by it. More extravagant rituals follow that.

The community's elders create a concoction to entice the guardians living in the four corners of the globe (north, south, east and west). The gods are said to be pleased by this and come to the masked dances that are performed.

The renowned Black Hat Dancers present the Chhams, or famed masked dances. Dancers use elaborately embellished costumes and masks that are meant to symbolise the gods, goddesses, guardians, and protectors

The masked dances are intended to be a reenactment of the fabled story of King Lang Darma of Tibet, who was notorious for abandoning his people and was ultimately killed by a monk.

The strangely constructed effigies are burned after the rites are said to have transferred all the negativity and bad spirits to them. As a result, good will triumph over evil in a symbolic way.

• Food products are not permitted within the monastery.
• The monastery must be kept in complete stillness.
• Despite frequent CCTV monitoring of the visitors, it is advised that you take the utmost precautions with your possessions.
• Maintain quiet mode on your phones.
• Pets are not allowed within the monastery under any circumstances.
• Special authorization is required for filming.
• You may take still pictures within the monastery. So you should make sure your flashlight is turned off.
• Often, you may get in touch with the monks of the Thiksey monastery, who can show you around the structures and give you a detailed explanation of their design.
• Reading about the monastery's history and varied sections can also help you better appreciate the many buildings, artefacts, and artwork when you visit the monastery.

• By Flight : You may fly to Leh and then drive down the Leh-Manali route to get to the Thiksey monastery. Your journey to the location would take about 30 minutes.
• By road : In Leh, you may also catch a bus at Choglamsar. Every 15 minutes, a bus departs from Leh for Thiksey, and they are fairly regular. You would need to spend about 35 rupees and take a half-hour to get there.
• Cabs : From Leh, you may also catch taxis that travel through Karu to Thiksey. Using a cab would take you there in around 40 minutes.

• Shey Monastery and Palace : 15 kilometres outside Leh town, on the Leh-Manali route, are the Shey monastery and palace. The monastery and Shey Palace were constructed in the sixteenth century. The monastery houses the Du-Khang, which is protected by a nearly 10-meter-high copper figure of Lord Buddha. The greatest victory stupa in Leh, with an all-gold top, is located in the Shey Palace, which was erected by King Deledan Nagmyal. Prior to moving to the Stok palace in 1834 A.D., the royal family lived at the Shey Palace. ASI has assumed control of the Shey Palace for preservation.
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• Yarab Tso Lake : The most well-kept secret in Ladakh is the sacred Yarab Tso lake, often known as "the hidden lake". This stunning lake in the Leh Ladakh area is only accessible by 20 minutes of arduous uphill climbing and is situated close to the Sumur Village, around 15 kilometres from Diksit. Yarab Tso is widely regarded by the residents of the area as one of the most sacred and high-altitude lakes in the Nubra Valley. It is warned against trying to swim or wash your feet in this alluring water. Experience the sensation of tranquilly it gives by sitting by the rocks and taking in the pure mountain air while observing colourful prayer flags flying in the beautiful blue lake.

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• Hunder Resort : The attitude and culture of its surroundings are reflected in Hunder Resort, which offers exceptional hospitality to all of its visitors. The hotel has raised the standard for services much above what its customers would have anticipated thanks to the seamless integration of contemporary décor in the opulent surroundings. Customer experience is unrivalled because to the concept of anticipatory, intuitive service.

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