Mesmerizing Ladakh – Part 8: Lamayuru Monastery

Lamayuru Monastery or the Eternal Monastery is situated on the Leh-Sreenagar highway, 107 km west of Leh. Lamayuru Monastery was originally the foremost Bon monastery in Ladakh, its name means sauwastika and is a popular symbol in Bon for eternity. It is currently affiliated to the Krikung Kagyu school of Buddhism.

According to tradition the Indian scholar Naropa (956-1041AD) allegedly caused a lake which filled the valley to dry up and founded the Lamayuru Monastery. The oldest surviving building at Lamayuru is a temple called Seng-ge-sgang at the southern end of the Lamayuru rock which is attributed to the famous builder monk Rinchen Zangpo (958-1055 AD). This monastery is home to more than 150 monks and houses a rich collection of artifacts, wall paintings, thangas, statues etc. The monastery attracts tourists for its beautiful moon like landscapes and remote location.

They are selling dry fruits to the tourists on the way

One of the most treacherous roads in India

Spectacular landscape while approaching the Lamayuru Monastery

The Lamayuru Monastery - at the main entrance — The Lamayuru Monastery – at the main entrance

The Lamayuru Monastery - One of the aspiring monks — The Lamayuru Monastery – One of the aspiring monks

The Lamayuru Monastery - the aspiring monks — The Lamayuru Monastery – the aspiring monks

The Lamayuru Monastery - an aspiring monk — The Lamayuru Monastery – an aspiring monk

The Lamayuru Monastery - the stupas — The Lamayuru Monastery – the stupas

The Lamayuru Monastery - the stupa — The Lamayuru Monastery – the stupa

The Lamayuru Monastery - the prayer wheels — The Lamayuru Monastery – the prayer wheels

The Lamayuru Monastery - Mani stones — The Lamayuru Monastery – Mani stones

The Lamayuru Monastery - the details — The Lamayuru Monastery – the details

The Lamayuru Monastery - More stupas — The Lamayuru Monastery – More stupas

The Lamayuru Monastery - the monk at the entrance — The Lamayuru Monastery – the monk at the entrance

Locals on traditional dress to pose for the shutter bugs — Locals in traditional dress to pose for the shutter bugs

The Lamayuru Monastery - Murals — The Lamayuru Monastery – Murals

The Lamayuru Monastery - the main prayer hall — The Lamayuru Monastery – the main prayer hall

On the way to Kargil - spectacular landscape around Fotu La pass near Lamayuru — On the way to Kargil – spectacular landscape around Fotu La pass near Lamayuru

10 thoughts on “Mesmerizing Ladakh – Part 8: Lamayuru Monastery”

Incredible place. I would love to visit.

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Wonderful photos. I especially love the ones of the people. 🙂

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maverickonthemove says:

November 4, 2016 at 3:49 am

Thank you very much for stopping by my blog.

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Great article

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Awesome pictures!!!

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maverickonthemove says:

November 4, 2016 at 9:52 am

Thank you very much for stopping by my blog.

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maverickonthemove says:

November 4, 2016 at 9:59 am

Thanks.

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Wonderful. Haven’t come across some of this stuff since university

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maverickonthemove says:

November 5, 2016 at 3:40 am

Thank you very much for stopping by my blog.

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1. Coyote from Orion says:
  
  November 5, 2016 at 4:06 am
  
  Enjoyed it a lot. Have done a bit of writing as an academic on religion and spirituality of that part of the world and its history. Wasn’t at the forefront of my mind when I looked at your blog. Good and timely reminder. Thankyou. A bit of synchronicity this week
  
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