Stakna Monastery, popularly known as "Tiger's Nose Monastery," is around 25 kilometers from Leh's main city. The unique name is because of the monastery being built on a rock that looks like a tiger springing towards the sky.
Chosje Jamyang Palkar, a Bhutanese saint and scholar, established Stakna Monastery in the 16th century. The magnificent marble statue of Avalokitesvara, which the monk is believed to have carried to Leh all the way from Assam, stands in the center of the monastery. Today, the monastery is home to about 30 monks from the Dugpa order.
Stakna Gompa is renowned for its exquisite architectural work. The monastery has a number of interesting features including the Dukhang which is a massive gathering hall inside the monastery. You can admire the amazing murals of Sakyamuni, Tsephakmad, and Amchi embellished in the walls of the Dukhang.
Several idols are housed at the Stakna Monastery, and they are both exquisite and enchanting to look at. A 7ft tall silver gilt chorten consisting of a figure of Lord Buddha can be seen on the courtyard's extreme right-hand side. Paintings of Buddhist teachers such as Bodhisattva, Tshong-san-Gompa, and PadmaSambhava line the walls of the monastery.
The Stakna Monastery is well known for its beautiful vistas as well. The hillock commands a direct view of the Indus below, which appears twice as beautiful during the dusk hours.
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