Lamayuru Monastery

Lamayuru Monastery is a reminder of Tibetan Buddhist history and customs. You can find it in the beautiful environment of Lamayouro, Leh. As you get closer, the tall prayer flag pole swaying in the mountain wind automatically catches your eye. The courtyard leads to the Dukhang, which has elaborate column paintings on its walls that were made in 1970. If you go inside, you'll find a colourful porch with a picture of the Guardians of the Four Directions. The murals on the walls show how the lamas live their spiritual lives. Additionally, you can spend the night to experience the monks' way of life and learn more about Buddhism.

You can see his and Marpa's statues in Naropa's cave, where the famous teacher meditated for many years. During Yuru Kabgyat, a two-day holiday, Lamayuru comes to life with mesmerising masked dances that show the teachings of Tibetan Buddhism. It's best to visit the monastery during Hemis Tse Chu, Ladakh's biggest monastic event. In this event, you can see how the gods and demons of Bon-PO were brought into Buddhism and how Guru Padmasambhava is revered.

• Admire the stunning sights of the surrounding landscapes from an elevation of 3,511 metres at this monastery
• Get a chance to see statues of Lord Buddha in different forms in the prayer hall, along with the multicoloured Mani or prayer stones at the entrance of the monastery
• Explore Lamayuru Monastery, Ladakh's oldest and largest gompa, steeped in Tibetan Buddhist tradition.
• Learn about the Red Hat Sect of Buddhism and engage in conversation with a few of the 400 monks who live there.
• Marvel at the elaborate thangka collection, scriptures, murals, and wall paintings that adorn the monastery.
• Admire pictures of Buddhist deities and statues of Bodhisattvas on visiting the Dukhang and Gokhang.

The best time to visit Lamayuru Monastery is between April and August. This consists of the summer season in Lamayuru.

1. Summer (April to June): Summers in Lamayuru are very pleasant, with temperatures alternating between 25 degrees Celsius and 15 degrees Celsius. The sun can seem a little harsh and intense because of the thin air, but the weather remains clear and bright, making it the perfect time to visit the monastery.

2. Monsoon (July to September): Monsoon seasons in Lamayuru can be very intense, with heavy rainfall disrupting your movement and causing landslides and blocked roads. It is best to avoid the area during this time, even though the monastery remains open and functional. However, the famous Yuru Kabgyat Festival takes place in July or August, so you can visit during this time if the weather permits.

3. Winter (October to March): While tourists generally avoid Ladakh during winters, it is a pleasant time to visit if you like the cold. The daytime temperature stays at around 6-1o degrees Celsius, while night time is extremely cold and frigid. It is the perfect time to trek around the area.

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Major Festival of Lamayuru

The most significant festival that takes place in Lamayuru is Yuru Kabgyat, which is also known as the Lamayuru Festival. It is a major attraction for tourists because of the vibrant performances, traditional costumes and local food that is found here. Buddhist monks travel from all over the world, including the neighbouring countries of China, Tibet, Bhutan, Korea and Japan to attend the festival.

The locals dress up in colourful dresses and perform masked dances and dramas, depicting the life of the Buddha, and other stories from their culture. It is also a lively display of local instruments such as horns, drums and pipes, which are played with fervour by experienced artists, as an accompaniment to the dance and festivities.

Traveller’s tips for visiting Lamayuru Monastery

1. You do not need an ILP or an Inner Line Permit specially to visit the monastery, as it falls on the Srinagar and Leh Highway.

2. Take permission from the monks at the monastery before you take photos as it is strictly disallowed in some areas of the monastery including the prayer halls, so you must obey the rules of the place.

3. Mobile connectivity in the Lamayuru Monastery is feable unless you are using an Airtel or BSNL postpaid connection, so prepare yourself accordingly.

4. The monastery is at a very high altitude, so make sure you pack your clothes accordingly and take medicines and precautions to help with AMS.

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There are a few convenient ways to reach Lamayuru Monastery

By Bus: State-run JKSRTC buses ply from Srinagar to Leh, which pass by Lamayuru Monastery which is near the base of the Fotu- La Pass. These buses usually go all the way to Kargil, and while the journey is time-consuming, it is exciting and passes through beautiful terrains.

By Car: You can hire a taxi or a private car from Leh to take you to Lamayuru Monastery. The distance between the two places is 114 km and it takes approximately 2 hours to reach by road.

By Flight: The closest airport is the Leh International Airport from where you can hire a car, book a bus or rent a bike to travel to Lamayuru Monastery, which is 114 km away.

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