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.

On the way to Lamayuru Monastery
On the way to Lamayuru Monastery
They are selling dry fruits to the tourists on the way
They are selling dry fruits to the tourists on the way
One of the most treacherous roads in India
One of the most treacherous roads in India
One of the most treacherous roads in India
One of the most treacherous roads in India
Spectacular landscape while approaching the Lamayuru Monastery
Spectacular landscape while approaching the Lamayuru Monastery
The Lamayuru Monastery
The Lamayuru Monastery
The Lamayuru Monastery
The Lamayuru Monastery
The Lamayuru Monastery
The Lamayuru Monastery
The Lamayuru Monastery
The Lamayuru Monastery
The Lamayuru Monastery
The Lamayuru Monastery
The Lamayuru Monastery
The Lamayuru Monastery
The Lamayuru Monastery
The Lamayuru Monastery
The Lamayuru Monastery
The Lamayuru Monastery
The Lamayuru Monastery
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 Lamayuru Monastery
The Lamayuru Monastery
The Lamayuru Monastery
The Lamayuru Monastery
The Lamayuru Monastery
The Lamayuru Monastery
The Lamayuru Monastery
The Lamayuru Monastery
The Lamayuru Monastery
The Lamayuru Monastery
The Lamayuru Monastery
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 - the stupa
The Lamayuru Monastery – the stupa
The Lamayuru Monastery - Mani stones
The Lamayuru Monastery – Mani stones
The Lamayuru Monastery - Mani stones
The Lamayuru Monastery – Mani stones
The Lamayuru Monastery
The Lamayuru Monastery
The Lamayuru Monastery
The Lamayuru Monastery
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
Locals on traditional dress to pose for the shutter bugs
Locals in traditional dress to pose for the shutter bugs
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 - Murals
The Lamayuru Monastery – Murals
The Lamayuru Monastery - Murals
The Lamayuru Monastery – Murals
The Lamayuru Monastery - Murals
The Lamayuru Monastery – Murals
The Lamayuru Monastery - the main prayer hall
The Lamayuru Monastery – the main prayer hall
The Lamayuru Monastery - the main prayer hall
The Lamayuru Monastery – the main prayer hall
The Lamayuru Monastery - the main prayer hall
The Lamayuru Monastery – the main prayer hall
The Lamayuru Monastery - the main prayer hall
The Lamayuru Monastery – the main prayer hall
The Lamayuru Monastery - the main prayer hall
The Lamayuru Monastery – the main prayer hall
The Lamayuru Monastery - the main prayer hall
The Lamayuru Monastery – the main prayer hall
Views around the monastery
Views around the monastery
Views around the monastery
Views around the monastery
Views around the monastery
Views around the monastery
Views around the monastery
Views around the monastery
Views around the monastery
Views around the monastery
Views around the monastery
Views around the monastery
Views around the monastery
Views around the monastery
Views around the monastery
Views around the monastery
Views around the monastery
Views around the monastery
Views around the monastery
Views around the monastery
Views around the monastery
Views around the monastery
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
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
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
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
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
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”

      1. 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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