Fee: 30 per person
Visiting Time: 6 am-1 pm & 1.30- 6 pm
Duration of Visit: around 2 to 3 hours
Stakna Gompa or Stakna monastery is a popular Buddhist monastery among travelers across the globe. This place is located 25 km from the main city of Leh. The monastery was founded by a Bhutanese saint and scholar named Chose Jamyang. He constructed the monastery in the 16th century. This Stakna Gompa stands as a visual display of the cultural and religious heritage of Buddhism. One cannot deny the spectacular landscapes offered by Ladakh. The Stakna monastery is situated on a hilltop that resembles the nose of a tiger. The Stakna monastery houses 30 monks, and the monastery belongs to the Dugpa order. There is an image of sacred Arya Avalokitesvara in the central position of the temple. This is one of the most significant idols among the other idols in the monastery. The literary meaning of the word ‘Stakna’ is “the nose of a tiger”.
The officials of the Stakna monastery are the successive reincarnation of Stakna Tulku, the one who preserves the techniques of the Dugpa order. The big assembly hall of Stakna monastery features a wonderful painting of Tsephakmad, Sakyamuni, and Amchi. There is a tall silver-gilded chorten of a height of 7 feet towards the extreme right side of the courtyard. It features a figure of Lord Buddha. To get an amazing view of the Indus River, you need to go to the top of the monastery.
Tourist Attractions at Stakna Monastery
The monastery itself is a spectacular spot. Tourists all over the world visit this place and spend hours enjoying the magnificent scenery and framing it in their cameras. If you are planning to visit Stakna Monastery, then you can also explore the Takthok Monastery, where Guru Padmasambhava meditated just near the Stakna Monastery. Otherwise, you can also enjoy the colourful library nearby the Stakna Gompa featuring brilliant colourful paintings, and gilded statues of the previous Rimpoche. These are some of the small attractions that can be considered while visiting Stakna Monastery. You can also spend the whole time just enjoying the chilled weather and spectacular view of the monastery.
How to Reach Stakna Monastery
The monastery is located a distance of 25 km from Leh. To reach Stakna, you first need to reach Leh. Then from Leh, you can hire a personal car or taxi to Stakna Monastery. Otherwise, you can also board the local bus from Leh to Stakna Monastery. The main route is the Srinagar-Leh route. For travelers who wish to reach Stakna Monastery by air, there is Leh airport, which is the nearest airport to Stakna Monastery. You can board your flight to Leh; then you have to take the help of a cab to reach the monastery. For booking, you are advised to have a booking of the tickets as during the peak seasons you may not get the desired tickets due to huge demand.
Best Time to Visit Stakna Monastery
While exploring the magnificent beauty of Stakna Monastery, if you miss the local festival celebrated by the monks at the monastery temple, it would be a huge loss. Every year during the months of April to September, a local festival takes place at the nearby villages, which is unique and different from the normal ceremonies. The monks wear colourful masks. The festivals include dance, music, handicrafts, paintings and much more. You are advised to avoid booking after November. In the months of November to May, the roads remain closed due to heavy snowfall. So choose the summer season and enjoy to the fullest.
Go through the given description and enjoy your trip fully.
