Lamayuru Monastery, Ladakh

Lamayuru Gompa : lies 15 km east of the Fatu La on the Srinagar-Leh Highway, with its medieval village seemingly growing out of the rocky hillside below it. In the past, Lamayuru has housed up to 400 lamas, but presently there are only 30 to 50 lamas living here, although about 150 lamas belong to the gompa. The other lamas stay and teach at Lamayuru's smaller daughter gompas located in outlying villages.

Twice a year, all the lamas gather at the gompa for general prayers which are accompanied by three days of masked dancing. These gatherings occur in the second and fifth months of the Tibetan calendar (usually March and July). Lamayuru belongs to the red-hat sect of Buddhism.

Ancient legends say that at the time of Sakyamuni (the Historical Buddha), Lamayuru's valley was a clear lake where nagas (holy serpents) lived. The Bodhisattva Madhyantaka foretold that the lake would be emptied and a monastery built there. The legends continue by saying that Naropa, an 11th century Indian Buddhist scholar, came to Lamayuru and spent many years meditating in a cave, which can still be seen in the main Dukhang. Naropa then caused a split in the surrounding hillside and the lake emptied through this opening. After the lake emptied, Naropa found a dead lion previously covered by the waters of the lake. On this spot, Naropa built the first temple at Lamayuru, the Singhe Ghang (Lion Mound). Other historical accounts relate that in the 10th century the King of Ladakh ordered the building of Lamayuru gompa and placed it under the supervision of Rinchen Zangbo.

The original gompa was composed of five buildings although only the central one still stands. In the 16th century, Ladakh's King Jamyang Namgyal was cured of leprosy by a lama from Tibet. In gratitude, the King gave Lamayuru gompa to this lama and also bestowed other privileges - no taxes were collected and the area surrounding the gompa was declared a sanctuary where none could be arrested. For this reason, Ladakhis still refer to Lamayuru gompa as Tharpa Ling, the "Place of Freedom"

The Dukhang or main assembly hall is on the right side of the courtyard. The entrance verandah has been recently painted with a colourful depiction of the Guardians of the Four Directions. The mural on the left wall of the verandah depicts the proper way for a lama to live. The Dukhang was redecorated in 1970 with new column paintings. In the wall on the right side of the Dukhang is a small cave known as Naropa's cave, where Naropa is supposed to have meditated for several years. This cave contains a statue of Naropa as well as statues of Marpa (Naropa's student who became a translator of religious texts and famous poet) and Mila Ras-pa (Marpa's student and a spiritual head of the red-hat sect of Tibetan Buddhism who was famous for his asceticism). The right side of the Dukhang has three complete sets of the Kandshur (the 108 volumes of Buddha's teachings) in lovely glass-fronted bookcases. These cases were made in 1977 and have elaborate painted decorations above and below the shelves holding the books. The statue inset near the middle of the right side wall is Sakyamuni, although not with his usual blue hair.

Things to do in Lamayuru Monastery :

Are you planning to visit Lamayuru monastery? Then do not forget to experience a small walk through the village apart from the monastery. The habitats at Ladakh are extremely generous and warm. If you apply the universal ladakhi greeting Juley along with a big smile they would easily open up to you. The people there are so cordial that some might invite at their stay to have a cup of tea. Else tourists who love adventure can try hiking on these amazing mountains. Do not worry, hiking is not a big deal, even during the hiking you can capture some excellent frames.

Lamayuru is also very well-known for YuruKabgyat which is a two-day cultural festival. This worth visiting festival takes place in the second month of the Tibetan Lunar Calendar. This festival is also called the mask festival as the monks were different mask during the ceremony.

How to Reach Lamayuru Monastery :

The best and the earliest way to reach Lamayuru especially if you are traveling in the winter season is by hiring a cab from Leh. This is because during the winter season the buses do not ply on the highway on a regular basis. But in summer you are advised to board local buses as then the journey would be more fun and pocket-friendly. The drive to Lamayuru is an excellent journey. As you leave Leh the landscape start changing. However all that can be seen are dry and arid, only a few patches of green land can be found. During the journey, if you are lucky there are chances to experience wildlife animals. It would be better if you start your journey to Lamayuru in the early morning so that you can back safely before anafternoon in the Leh city.

Best Time to Visit Lamayuru Monastery :

If you are planning to visit this monastery then you are advised to book your tickets for the months from April to June. During these months the weather remains quite warm and comfortable. It would be wise to avoid visiting this tourist attraction during the winter season as then there are chances that the weather would be too cold for the tourists to move around.