Shey Thikse & Hemis Monestaries
-- SHEY MONESTARY
Situated on a hillock 15km, upstream from Leh, an imposing structure providing a panoramic view of the green Indus valley from
its vantage point atop a hill. Once the residence of the royal family & it was constructed by the first king of Ladakh, Lhachen Palgyigon. According to tradition, it and of successive kings. was the seat of power of the pre-Tidetan kings. A 7.5 meter high copper statue of Buddha, plated with gold,and the largest of its kind is installed here. Around 12 Ft. Shakyamuni Buddha’s statue made by copper guilt is the largest in the region, built by Deldan Namgyal in 1633 is a funerary memorial to his father, king Singee Namgyal. There is another statue of the Buddha three stories in height at dresthang down the castle. Stone carving and many chortens are scattered around the Dresthang Gompa. On the
30th day of the 1st Tibetan month celebrates shey rul-lo and on the 10th day of the 7th Tibetan month the festival of Shey Surb-lo is held.
-- THIKSEY MONESTARY
About 20 kms from Leh, Thiksey is an imposing monastery and one of the finest example of Ladakhi architecture. This Gompa is situated
on the top of the hill and part of Gelukpa order, the disciple of Jangon Tsongkhapa, Sherab Zangpo of stod, first built the temple of
Stagmo Lakchung at the top of Stagmo Lakchung at the top of the Thiksey valley. Then Paldan Sherab nephew of Sherb Zangpo, founded
Thiksey monastery. The 12 storey monastery complex contains numerous stupas, statues, thankas, wall paintings, swords and a large pillar
engraved with the Buddha's teachings, there are sacred shrines and a many precious objects to be seen. The successive reincarnation of the
Skyabje Khampo Ringpoche act as incharge of the monastery. Thiksey gustor (festival) held from 17th to 19th day of the 12th month.
The main prayer hall has a 15 mt high seated Buddha figure,There are chance to see prayer in the early morning.
--HEMIS MONESTARY
Is situated 49 kms to south of Leh, a little off the main Leh-Manali road. Hemis was built in 1630 during the reign of Sengge Namgyal , an illustrious ruler of Ladakh. It is the wealthiest , best known and biggest Gompa of Ladakh. It flourished under the Namgyal dynasty for the royalty favored for Drugkpa Sect, which managed the monastery and controled all the other monasteries throughout Ladakh. It also trains Lamas for the royal monasteries at Leh, Shey and Bazgo. It is divided into two, the Assembly Hall on the right and the main temple on the left. The hall, Dukhang, is also used as a ' Green room ' by the dancers during the festival. The temple is known as Tshogkhang. The verandahs
have a surfeit of frescoes among them the Buddhist Wheel of Life ( Kalachakra ) and the Lord of the four quarters, besides rows of prayer wheels. In the 19th century it faced a siege by General Zorawar Singh. The Gompa was saved to the skillful handing of the situation by the
head Lama. In 1956 the head Lama Hemis Gompa disappeared mysteriously never to be seen again. A 12 years old boy was brought from Dalhousie. In 1976 to be appointed as head Lama. The monastery contains gold statues and stupas decorated with precious stones. It has
a superb collection of tankhas,including one, which is supposed to be the largest in existence and is exhibited only once every 11 years,
(next due in 2016). The monastery's annual festival, is a big tourist attraction, held in honor of Guru Padma Sambhav's birth anniversary
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