• WION
  • The Health Site
  • Bollywood Life
  • Cricket Country
  • Zee Business
  • Techlusive
ZEE Sites
  • हिन्दी
  • ENGLISH
  • मराठी
  • বাংলা
  • தமிழ்
  • മലയാളം
  • ગુજરાતી
  • తెలుగు
  • ಕನ್ನಡ
  • ଓଡ଼ିଶା
  • Rajasthan
  • UPUK
  • PHH
  • BH/JH
  • MPCG
  • DNH
  • Salaam
  • Follow us on:

We are on Telegram now

click this icon for latest updates

Latest News, Breaking News, LIVE News, Top News Headlines, Viral Video, Cricket LIVE, Sports, Entertainment, Business, Health, Lifestyle and Utility News | India.Com

Switch to हिंदी

  • US
  • World
  • India
  • Entertainment
  • Sports
  • Photos
  • Viral
Our Network Sites
  • World
  • Business
  • Education
  • Festivals
  • Tech
  • Cricket
  • Travel
  • Videos
  • Topics
Follow us on :
  • Travel Home
  • Destinations
  • Weekend Getaways
  • Explore
  • Articles
Home ❯ Travel ❯ Destinations

Ladakh

  • Places to visit
  • Things to do
  • How to reach
  • Articles
  • Photos
  • Map

LAMAYURU MONASTERY

Place Details:

Renowned as Tharpa Ling which means the ‘place of freedom’; Lamayuru monastery is the oldest and one of the largest monasteries in Ladakh region in Jammu and Kashmir. It is located approximately 127 km from Leh on a steep mountain between Bodhkharbu and Kha-la-che. The monastery belongs to Red-Hat Sect of Buddhism. At its peak, the monastery housed 400 monks but nowadays there are only 50 inmates. About 150 monks reside in Lamayuru village. The monastery is famous for its rich wall paintings, collection of thangkas, murals, scriptures and statues of different forms of Buddha and other deities. There are several legends about the monastery.

ALSO READ 10 spellbinding monasteries in Ladakh that will take your breath away!

According to one of the legends, it was founded by Mahasiddhacharya Naropa in 11th century who came to the place for meditation. However, the foundation of the monastery was predicted in the Bodhisattva Madhyantaka. It was predicted that the lake would be dried and a monastery would be constructed at its place. When the lake dried, Naropa found a dead lion there and chose to construct first temple of Singhe Ghang (Lion Mound). He constructed five buildings but only one exists.

According to another historical account, the king of Ladakh built the Lamayuru buildings during tenth century. Later the king donated the buildings to Rinchen Zangbo. According to a third account, the King of Ladakh during 16th century, Jamyang Namgyal contracted leprosy which was cured by a Lama. In gratitude, the king gave him the monastery buildings and some other privileges like exemption from taxes. Moreover, he declared the area surrounding the monastery as sanctuary where no one would be arrested. This is the reason that the Lamayuru is still said to be ‘Tharpa Ling’ which means the ‘place of freedom’. The monastery has a Dukhang, the assembly hall, Gonkhang, the temple and residential buildings for monks. Walls of the Dukhang are painted with colourful images of Buddhist deities. The Gonkhang is dedicated to guardians of Buddhism. In front of the temple there are three chortens. In the small temple there are some images of Avalokitesvara (with 1000 arms and 11 heads), Padmasambhava and statues of eight Bodhisattvas.

ALSO READ This time lapse video captures the beauty of Ladakh like no other

Besides the temple there is a cave which is known as Naropa’s cave. It is said that Naropa used to meditate in the cave. The annual festival known as Yuru Kabgyat is the major attraction of the monastery. Mask dance by the lamas are the highlight of the festival. Another important ritual followed during the festival is the burning of effigies. It stands for destruction of the ego in every individual. Besides its monastery, Lamayuru also attracts tourists for its landscape quite similar to the lunar terrain. Though remote, the landscape is a favourite with photographers and trekkers.

In fact, the adventure fantasy film, The Fall was shot at moonscape at Lamayuru. The movie directed by Tarsem Singh, starred Lee Pace, Catinca Untaru, and Justine Waddell. Some of the scenes of the feature length drama movie Wolf were shot in Lamayuru monastery. The film was released in July, 2012. Basic accommodation is available in the monastery. Mid-range hotels are also available near the Lamayuru monastery. Options to eat are limited at Lamayuru village, but just about enough. Try some of the Tibetan authentic food if you like to explore new cuisines. There are small outlets in the village which provide Indian and Tibetan food. The best time to visit Lamayuru is between May and September, when the weather is pleasant. Most of the trekking routes and roads remain closed after November due to heavy snowfall.

Photograph courtesy: Amol Hatwar/Creative Commons

BEST TIME TO VISIT LADAKH

The average minimum and maximum temperature of Ladakh is as given below. The best time to visit Ladakh is also specified.

MONTH BEST TIME MIN. TEMP (°C)MAX. TEMP (°C)
January-15-4
February-13-2
March-95
April-410
May540
JuneBest time540
JulyBest time540
AugustBest time540
SeptemberBest time540
October540
November-1424
December-1424
Historical Monasteries Nature

Things to do in

Matho Nagrang

Matho Nagrang

 It is held in Matho Monastery and it is a very colorful festival. The first two days…

Dosmoche Festival in Ladakh

Dosmoche Festival in Ladakh

This festival was started by Ladakh royals. Dosmoche is celebrated every year in February with…

Spituk Gustor

Spituk Gustor

 The two day annual festival happens in the Spituk Monastery. The festival is held in…

Likir Festival in Likir Gompa

Likir Festival in Likir Gompa

Likir festival is the major attraction of the monastery. It is celebrated every year from…

Editor's Pick
How to Cycle From Kinnaur to Spiti Valley in Himachal Pradesh

How to Cycle From Kinnaur to Spiti Valley in Himachal Pradesh

Neermahal or The Water Palace is an Architectural Marvel in Tripura

Neermahal or The Water Palace is an Architectural Marvel in Tripura

Here Are Some Fun Activities to do With Your Family in San Francisco

Here Are Some Fun Activities to do With Your Family in San Francisco

These 16 Amazing Photos of Antwerp in Belgium Will Spark Your Wanderlust

These 16 Amazing Photos of Antwerp in Belgium Will Spark Your Wanderlust

Mumbai-Delhi Rajdhani Express Gets Elegant, Airplane-Like Coaches Under Project Swarn

Mumbai-Delhi Rajdhani Express Gets Elegant, Airplane-Like Coaches Under Project Swarn

How to Reach Amba Ghat in Maharashtra by Road, Train And Flight

How to Reach Amba Ghat in Maharashtra by Road, Train And Flight

Yercaud Has The Most Abundant Fruit And Spice Plantations in Tamil Nadu

Yercaud Has The Most Abundant Fruit And Spice Plantations in Tamil Nadu

To Observe Elephants in Their Natural Habitat, Head to Chandaka Elephant Sanctuary

To Observe Elephants in Their Natural Habitat, Head to Chandaka Elephant Sanctuary

Uttarbanga Utsav Celebrates The Culture in The Northern Districts of West Bengal

Uttarbanga Utsav Celebrates The Culture in The Northern Districts of West Bengal

Here’s What You Must Experience When You Visit Guwahati in Assam

Here’s What You Must Experience When You Visit Guwahati in Assam

Featured Articles on Ladakh

Breaking: Earthquake Of Magnitude 3.5 Jolts Ladakh

India's First Frozen Lake Marathon To Take Place At Pangong Tso Lake This February | All Details Here

Indian Army Badly Wounds, Breaks Bones Of Many Chinese Soldiers, Chases Away 600 In Arunachal: Reports | WATCH VIDEO

6 Places In India Where Indians Require Special Permission To Travel

Did You Know About 'Moonlands' Of Lamayuru? Here Is A Guide To These Unique Lunarscape In India

Nimrit Kaur Ahluwalia Of 'Chhoti Sardarni' Fame, First 'Bigg Boss 16' Contestant, Wants To See Salman Khan Shirtless

Earthquake Of 4.8-Magnitude Hits Leh, Ladakh

India-China Conflict: India-China Disengagement Completes At PP-15 In Gogra-Hotsprings

Destination Themes

  • Historical Places in Ladakh
  • Monasteries in Ladakh
  • Religious Places in Ladakh
  • Valleys in Ladakh
  • Nature Places in Ladakh
  • Passes in Ladakh

More on Ladakh Travel Guide

  • Places to Visit in Ladakh
  • Things to Do in Ladakh
  • How to Reach Ladakh
  • Articles about Ladakh
  • Photos of Ladakh
  • Ladakh Map

Things to Do in ladakh

  • Matho Nagrang
  • Dosmoche Festival in Ladakh
  • Spituk Gustor
  • Likir Festival in Likir Gompa
  • India
  • World
  • Business
  • Sports
  • Entertainment
  • Education
  • Photos
  • Latest News
  • Live Cricket Score
Our Network Sites
Follow us on:
Our Network Sites
BollywoodLife CricketCountry TheHealthSite
Advertise With Us | About Us | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy | T&C | Contact Us | Author Profiles

Copyright © 2023. INDIADOTCOM DIGITAL PRIVATE LIMITED. All Rights Reserved.