About Lamayuru: Charming Destination Of Ladakh & Leh Tourism

Picturesque scenic natural beauties and age old Buddhist Monasteries alias Gompas of Lamayuru attracts scores of tourists every year from various parts of the globe. This is a quaint village situated at a distance of 130 km west of Leh & Ladakh. It is among the important destinations of Leh & Ladakh Tourism which is known for its high meadow camp sites and dry desert land, high passes and snow-capped peaks. Some of the well known attractions of this are:

Lamayuru Monastery:
It is one of the largest and oldest monasteries in Ladakh which was founded in the 10th century by the Indian Buddhist yogi, Mahasiddha Naropa. This monastery is the residence of 150 monks who were the followers of the Red-Hat Buddhism. The Lamayuru Monastery consisted of five buildings out of which only one exists today. The monastery is known for its number of shrines which provides spectacular look to this place. Inside the monastery one can see the rarest of collections, thankas and magnificent wall paintings. The best time to visit this place is during 17th and 18th day of the 5th month of Tibetan lunar calendar when monks host the masked dance.

Wanla Monastery:
This monastery is located in a small town to the southeast of Yungdrung Gompa which was built during the reign of Lama Rinchen Zangpo in 1000 A.D. The prime attraction of this monastery is the image of the 11-headed Mahakaruna which is more than two stories in height. The walls of this place are adorned with the paintings of Buddha, Bodhisattvas (a person dedicated to achieving complete Buddhahood) and mandalas. A hallowed image of Chovo-je-Paldan Atisha can also be seen here.

Zanskar Passage:
It is a passage through which tourists move to the Zaskar region which is known for rafting, trekking and mountaineering. This is the entry point to Zaskar and the most convenient way to reach there. This place is known for its barren mountain landscapes dotted with little villages and stunning monasteries.