Stok Gompa, Ladakh

Stok Gompa
  • Famous For God Lovers, Nature Lovers

  • Fee 30 per person

  • Visiting Time 6am-1pm & 1.30-6pm

  • Duration of Visit around 2 to 3 hours

Hello readers! If you are thinking about visiting any monasteries located in Ladakh? Stok monastery should be the one that you start your trip with. It is just one of the Buddhist monasteries that are located in Ladakh and it is a famous spot for all tourists visiting Northern India. It is located 15 kilometers to the south of the city named Leh and it is part of the Yellow hat sect of the religion. It has various deities that are pictured inside along with 2 thrones that are for the Dalai Lama and his Lama. The central image that is seen here is of Avalokitesvara who has 11 heads and some 1,000 arms.

This monastery was built in the 14th century by the Lama Lhawang Lotus and it has all of the 108 volumes that are part of the Kangyur. The new Gautama Buddha statue that was started in 2012 and finished in 2015 was dedicated on August 8, 2016 byTenzin Gyatso, who is the 14th Dalai Lama. The palace that is nearby was constructed nearly 200 years ago by the current king of the time, Tsepal Tondup Namgyal after Leh was invaded by Zorawar Singh.

Tourist Attractions in Stok Monastery

There are plenty of attractions that you can enjoy while you are visiting the Stok Monastery, including the Gautama Buddha statue, which stands some 71 feet and in the nearby temple. There is also the huge library that is full of volumes of the teachings of Buddha, which are called the Kangyur You can also visit the Stok Palace which is some 2 kilometers away from the monastery. The palace was constructed in 1820 is still the current summer home for the royalty from Ladakh of the Namgyal Dynasty. There is a museum inside the palace where you can view plenty of unique items, such as seals, weaponry, Buddhist art, thangka paintings and coins.

There are also plenty of treks that you can enjoy in this area while you are here, such as those in the Indus and Markha valleys along with the Stok Kangri mountain range. Also, while you are here you can enjoy staying with the locals since there aren’t any places to stay in the palace or even in the monastery. The locals in the village are more than happy to have you lodge at their homes or you can book some tents, which are popular in the summer.

How to Reach Stok Monastery

The best way to get to Stok Monastery is by taking a flight, train or bus to Leh. From Leh you can take an auto to the palace or to the monastery where you can walk around the area. You should make sure that you have a return trip or that you have booked a car or other method of transportation to get back home as well. You need to have your plans set in advance so that you can make time to get back, especially if you haven’t booked any rooms to stay in.

Best Time to Visit Stok Monastery

If you are thinking about visiting the monastery, then you should know the best time to enjoy the area. There is a festival that is held either in February and March and it is one of the most popular festivals of the area. The festival is held on both the 9th along with 10th days of the starting months of the current Tibetan Calendar and everyone can participate in the festival, which includes festive foods, music and dancing. The ideal months to visit the area start in May and ends in October.

Similar Packages