Spituk Monastery

Spituk monastery is one of the spectacular monasteries in Northern India. The monastery is located on the hilltop near the Indus River and is a distance of 18 km from the main city of Leh on Srinagar Road. The monastery comes with jaw-dropping scenic beauty of nature. Tourists explore this place not only for the monastery but also to cherish the commanding view of the Indus River. The monastery comes with a new Gompa within the monastery; meanwhile, the old one has been restored. It is structured in a series of tiers with steps and a courtyard. There is a chamber at the higher up on the hill that features an enormous statue of the goddess. The face of the deity is uncovered and again covered only during the local festival period.

The spick monastery was established by Od De, the elder brother of La Lama Changchub-Od, in the 11th century. Before King Gragspa Bumide converted the Gompa into the Gayluk Pa Order, it used to run according to the Kadampa School. Tourists around the world come here to explore the several icons of Lord Buddha along with 5 thangkas at this 15th-century Spituk monastery.

Tourist Attractions at Spituk Monastery

If you are at Spituk, the whole monastery is a wonderful attraction for tourists across the globe. Inside the monastery, travelers experience the huge throne of the Dalai Lama. Otherwise, you will also come to see an old chapel featuring images of Buddha, TsongKha pa, along with his two disciples behind the throne. The Spituk monastery is home to 100 monks. This sacred monastery is considered a must-visit monastery for Buddha devotees and history buffs. If you step inside the monastery, you will encounter plenty of statues and images of Lord Buddha. There is also a holy idol of Amitayus. The assembly hall of the monastery features ample collections of thangkas, which are nothing but paintings on silk or cotton depicting Lord Buddha. Also, antique arms and masks can be seen.

You must not forget to visit the assembly hall of this monastery as it is the largest area of the temple, featuring two rows of seats that lead up to the throne at the far end of the hall. Miniature and sculpture chortens are displayed for tourists.

How to Reach Spituk Monastery

Spituk Monastery is in Spituk village, which is a distance of 3.4 km from the airport. If you are traveling by car, then you are required to head towards the war memorial/ the hall of fame for 2.8 km on NH1D, and you will reach Spituk Monastery. The Spituk village is located 8 km from the main city of Leh. From Leh, there are several local transports are available. You can hire a personal cab as well as local buses from Leh. Otherwise, travelers who tend to visit Spituk by air can board a flight from Delhi to Leh. The Leh airport is the nearest airport to Spituk monastery.

Best Time to Visit Spituk Monastery

You must not miss the local festival of Spituk village. The Spituk monastery celebrates the Gustor festival each year. The festival involves dance, music, prayer, cultural art exhibitions by local people, and traditional dance. All the villagers attend the festival to receive the grace of Lord Buddha before the New Year begins. Otherwise, you can also enjoy the colourful Cham dance at Spituk village. Try to attend these festivals and avoid visiting this monastery from November to May. As during these months, the roads remain closed due to heavy rainfall.

Go through the above-given information and enjoy a safe journey.