The Thiksey Monastery is in the enchanting city of Leh, the capital of Ladakh. Leh has some of the most stunning scenery and monasteries, among which the Thiksey Monastery is one. It is situated atop the Thiksey hill and is built in a Tibetan manner. It is famous for its tranquil atmosphere and amazing views. It also houses one of the tallest Buddha statues and the statue is of Maitreya Buddha which was placed to commemorate the visit of his holiness Dalai Lama. It offers gorgeous views of the terrain of Leh. The monastery was built in the 15th century.
History Of The Thiksey Monastery
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The Thiksey Monastery is a beautiful structure in Ladakh. The monastery is famous among tourists. It is situated atop the Thiksey hill and is built in a Tibetan manner. It is famous for its tranquil atmosphere and amazing views. It also houses one of the tallest Buddha statues and the statue is of Maitreya Buddha which was placed to commemorate the visit of his holiness Dalai Lama. Thiksey monastery in Ladakh is a Buddhist monastery that has its affiliation with the Gelug Tibetan Buddhism.
The setting up of the monastery in Tibet is credited to Jangsem Sherap Zangpo, a disciple of the founder of the Gelug school. It is believed that Zangpo met with the King of Ladakh who called upon his ministers to build a monastery dedicated to the Gelug school of Buddhism. The establishment of the Thiksey Monastery dates back to the 15th century. The Thiksey Monastery is a significant Buddhist monastery in Ladakh and is now among the top things to see when visiting Ladakh.
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Significance Of The Thiksey Monastery
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The Thiksey Monastery in Ladakh is a prominent tourist attraction. It is the largest structure in all of central Ladakh. It has 12 storey complexes and is said to resemble the Potala Palace of Tibet. It is also significant for the Gelug school of Buddhism as it hosts the annual Gustor festival, which is a unique festival important for the followers of the Gelug school of Buddhism. The unique thing about the Thiksey Monastery is the statue of Buddha.
The monastery houses a 49 feet high statue of Maitreya Buddha located in Maitreya Temple. The Maitreya Buddha Temple was built to commemorate the visit of his holiness the Dalai Lama. It is famous for its tranquil atmosphere and amazing views. It offers gorgeous views of the terrain of Leh. It offers gorgeous views of the terrain of Leh.
How To Reach
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Thiksey monastery in Ladakh is a Buddhist monastery affiliated with the Gelug Tibetan Buddhism. The gorgeous monastery is 19 km from Leh, situated atop a hill. The Thiksey Monastery is at an altitude of 11,800 feet. The monastery is easy to access by road. After reaching Leh, the capital city of Ladakh, tools can take the state buses from JK SRTC bus stand. These buses operate every 15 minutes. It takes approximately an hour to reach Thiksey.
Another option is taking a car to reach the monastery. Tourists can take private cars or their own cars to cover the 19 km to reach the Thiksey Monastery. The journey is approximately half an hour long.
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Entry Fees, Timings And Location
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The Thiksey monastery is located at an altitude of 11,800 feet and boasts gorgeous views of the city of Leh. It is a very popular tourist destination because of the multitude of reasons to visit the monastery. The monastery is famous among tourists because it is the largest structure in all of central Ladakh housing a Maitreya Buddha statue. It overlooks majestic scenic views of the landscape and overall is among the must visits. The monastery opens at 7 in the morning and closes at 7 in the evening. There is a designated 15 minute tea break from 4 in the evening. The Monastery can be explored by paying an entry fee of INR 50. This is the standard entry fee for both national and international tourists.
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The Thiksey Monastery in Ladakh is a beautiful Buddhist monastery housing the Maitreya Buddha. It is a tranquil monastery that is famous among tourists. The gorgeous monastery is 19 km from Leh, situated atop a hill. The Thiksey Monastery is at an altitude of 11,800 feet. It is located atop Thiksey Hill and offers gorgeous views of the surroundings. The Monastery has a rich historical and cultural significance for the people of Ladakh. Plan your trip to Ladakh for an unforgettable experience.
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Cover Image credit : By Bernard Gagnon for Wikimedia Commons.
Frequently Asked Questions About Thiksey Monastery
Why is the Thiksey Monastery famous?
The Thiksey Monastery is a beautiful structure in Ladakh. The monastery is famous among tourists because it is the largest structure in all of central Ladakh. It houses one of the tallest Buddha statues and the statue is of Maitreya Buddha which was placed to commemorate the visit of his holiness Dalai Lama. It has 12 storey complexes and is said to resemble the Potala Palace of Tibet. It is famous for its tranquil atmosphere and amazing views. It offers gorgeous views of the terrain of Leh. It offers gorgeous views of the terrain of Leh.
What is the festival called that the monastery hosts?
The Thiksey Monastery hosts an annual festival in the month of October till November. It is known as the Gustor Ritual. The festival is celebrated in all its glory with sacred dances like the Cham dance or mask dance and a trade fair of sorts. The Monastery also hosts the morning prayers where synchronized chanting of sutras are done. It is a unique festival that celebrates the rich culture and religious practices of Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism.
What is the best time to visit the Thiksey Monastery?
The monastery can be visited throughout the year. However the month of October and November are the perfect time to visit the Thiksey Monastery. During the month of October and November, the Thiksey monastery hosts the Gustor festival which is the annual festival of the monastery. It is a very unique experience to have. The monastery closes after the month of November. It is advisable to visit the monastery early in the morning to experience the quiet and tranquility of the monastery without many tourists. Also the morning Prayer starts early in the morning so it is advisable to visit early.
Can we stay at the Thiksey Monastery?
The Thiksey Monastery is in the enchanting city of Leh, the capital of Ladakh. The gorgeous monastery is located 19 km from Leh. It is a very popular tourist destination because of the multitude of reasons to visit the monastery. The monastery is famous among tourists because it is the largest structure in all of central Ladakh housing a Maitreya Buddha statue. It overlooks majestic scenic views of the landscape and overall is among the must visits. There are multiple lodges that are available to accommodate tourists. These accommodation options are affordable and provide comfort to the tourists.
What is the meaning of Thiksey?
The word Thiksey means ‘perfect order’. It is believed that when the foundation for the Thiksey monastery was laid, a crow flew away with the cake that was offered in a significant ritual. This was believed to be an auspicious sign and thus, the name thiksay came about, because that cake was placed in a perfect order by the crow. The monastery was established in the 15th century. It is a significant structure in Ladakh, and is also the largest one. The monastery is now among the top tourist attractions of Leh.
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