Drive to Thiksey Gompa early in the morning to view the dawn and attend gompa prayers. The Thiksey Monastery Ladakh, locates around 18 kilometres from Leh, is a fort monastery built in the style of Lhasa’s Potala Palace.
The Thiksey Monastery Ladakh, about 18 kilometres from Leh, is a fort monastery that is design in the style of Tibet’s Potala Palace and houses roughly 60 monks. This Gelugpa (Yellow Hat) Buddhist monastery, located on top of a hill in the Indus Valley at an altitude of 3,600 metres (11,811 feet), is a 12-story building with a priceless collection of murals, thangkas, stupas, statues, and swords.
According to Mumbai Travel Agency, it is the Ladakh’s most prominent monastery, which oversees eleven other monasteries. Thiksey was built on an allegedly sacre hill by the Gelugpa monk Palden Sangpo in the mid-15th century, and the Maitreya temple was added in 1970, with a 15 metre (49 foot) Maitreya statue.
The statue, which is made of clay, copper, and gold paint and spans two levels of the complex, is the largest of its sort during Ladakh Travel Package. This fort monastery, painted in crimson, yellow-ochre, and white, gives breathtaking views of the Shey Palace and the Stok Palace across the Indus Valley flood plain. Within the monastery grounds, there is a nunnery that houses more than 20 sisters and is finance by international donors. Gustor is an annual celebration that takes place in the monastery grounds from the 17th to the 19th day of the Tibetan calendar’s ninth month and features the Cham Dance, or mask dance.
Every day, Morning Prayers are held in the main prayer hall. Rows of monks in crimson robes, both children and adults, sit and chant chants. Allow yourself to be swept away by the spirituality and positivity that will leave you speechless. Come and feel the power of Buddhist chants and mantras.
Festivals at Thiksey Monastery
There are various festivals in Ladakh but you should not miss the Gustor Festival while visiting the Thiksey Monastery. This is an annual event that takes place in the monastery from the 17th to the 19th day of the Tibetan calendar’s ninth month (October-November).
As a tourist, you will find the festival’s varied ceremonies to be both fascinating and enjoyable. The mask dance, also known as the Cham Dance, is one of them. It is an important aspect of this rite. Several traditional Tibetan musical instruments accompany the dance. The audience is dazzle by the exquisite dancing manoeuvres of mask-wearing artists. It’s worth noting that this choreographic dance is exclusively perform by lamas.
The festival comes to a close with the burning of an evil effigy. This beautiful dance of ladakh is accompanied by musical instruments such as cymbals, antique horns, bells, conch shells, and others.
Things to see in Thiksey Monastery
You will have excellent memories of your visit to the Thiksey Monastery. Apart from exploring and visiting, the Thiksey Monastery is an excellent venue to learn about the various aspects of Buddhism. The monastery has ten temples in total, in addition to monks’ quarters, a nunnery, and an assembly hall. The statue of the protective deity greets you at the entry. Stunning views of the Indus Valley floodplains can be views from this vantage point.
The Maitreya Buddha
The Maitreya Buddha is one of the primary sights inside the Thiksey Monastery. The monument stands approximately two floors tall and is a magnificent work of art. The two temples, Tara Temple and Lamokhang Temple, are two further sights that may pique your curiosity. Tara Temple is a modest shrine devotes to the goddess Tara, which contains 21 representations of the goddess. The temple’s walls are adore with magnificent works of art, creating a visual feast for the eyes.
The Lamokhang Temple
Another popular tourist site is the Lamokhang Temple. There are several texts there, including Stangyur and Kangyur. It’s important to note that women are not allow to enter this shrine. Inside the temple, young boys are groom to become lamas at a school.
The big pillar with Lord Buddha’s pictures etched on it is another draw. Inside the Thiksey Gompa, there is also a nunnery.
When to visit Thiksey Monastery
The Thiksey Monastery is open seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. The months of October and November are ideal for visiting the monastery. However, after November, the venue will close and return only in May. Visit the monastery early in the morning. This will allow you to participate in the monastery’s unique ceremonies. A large number of tourists visit Thiksay Monastery early in the morning to watch morning prayers.
Thiksey Monastery Entry fee
The entrance fee to Thiksey Monastery is Rs. 20 for both locals and tourists. you can also bring a camera with you that has no extra cost.
Opening and Closing Timings of Thiksey Monastery
Thiksey Monastery is open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week. You must, however, arrive at the monastery early in the morning if you wish to join in morning prayers.
