Lamayuru Monastery: A Journey Through Time and Space
Overview
Lamayuru monastery in Ladakh or Yuru Gompa, is located in the Leh district and is counted amongst the oldest and largest Tibetan Buddhist monasteries. It holds cultural and religious importance in Ladakh and is also one of the centres for the study and practice of the teachings of the Drikung Kagyu school.
The beauty of this monastery lies in its remote location, along with its exclusive, distinctive architecture, which makes it a must-visit destination while you are on a trip to Ladakh. The monastery is set amid beautiful, unique, and rugged terrain and stands as a marvellous testament to spirituality and architectural magnificence. It is said to be one of the outstanding places in the high-altitude deserts of Leh Ladakh, offering a great combination of spirituality and scenic beauty.
It is one of the must-visit places in this region, and tourists from all over the world visit the palace to learn about spirituality and spend time in this amazing location. Also, the most popular here is the Lamayuru Trek, which takes you to this scenic location.
History of Lamayuru Ladakh
Lamayuru, Ladakh, also popularly as Yuru Gompa, is about 122 km from Leh, at a great height above sea level. The monastery is all about majestic views of the surrounding landscape, and specifically, it’s this moon-like terrain which is its main feature. Going deep into history, it shows that the valley was a lake earlier. In the 11th century, a Buddhist scholar named Naropa caused the lake to be emptied by splitting the surrounding hill.
After it was done, a dead lion was covered by the lake’s waters. The scholar chose this spot and laid the foundation stone for the monastery, which also has a famous temple named the Singh Ghang, meaning Lion Mound. Earlier, before the place was a Digung Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism, but years later it was a Drikung Kagyu school. The place is always popular among visitors and locals because of its learning and spirituality, and is deeply rooted in the culture.
Best Time to Visit Lamayuru Monastery
If you are planning a tour to Lamayuru Monastery in Ladakh. Remember that the place is at a very high altitude and is therefore difficult to visit in the winter months.
Winter months here come with extreme cold temperatures and frequent landslides. The best months to explore and visit this monastery is in the summer from May to October. During these months, the weather is moderate and comfortable enough to experience the serenity and sacredness of the largest and oldest monastery in Ladakh. Also, plan to visit during June/ July as you will get a chance to celebrate the traditional festival of the monastery, Yuru Kabgyat, and enjoy the main feature, the Cham Dance, which is something not to be missed.
Things to do at Lamayuru Monastery
- Attend Lamayuru Festival
Lamayuru Monastery’s must-attend festival, the Yuru Kabgyat, is celebrated annually. The festival is all about music, traditional dances, and many live performances by monks. It is a two-day Ladakh festival that offers an opportunity to immerse yourself in Ladakhi traditions and vibes. The festival showcases the popular Cham dance, which monks perform by wearing masks in a circular motion.
The monks perform the dances by wearing richly adorned costumes, and these dances are performed to ward off evil spirits and purify the entire environment of negative energies. The entire festival is like an exclusive cultural experience, offers a glimpse of the depth of Buddhist culture, and celebrates good over evil.
- Attend Morning Prayers
Lamayuru Ladakh is the largest monastery,and the must-do thing here is to attend the morning prayers. You must attend this morning and pray to purify your soul. Spending time in the morning at the beautiful Monster will give you a chance to dive into the peaceful vibe. The monastery also has artwork, murals, and many colourful thangkas on the walls, which are amazingly beautiful, especially the white statue of Avalokitesvara.
Also, the monastery offers great views of Ami town and the mainland, which is a sight to behold. You can also enjoy photography while visiting the monastery, either early in the morning or late at night.
- Trek in the Southern Areas
Lamayuru, Ladakh, is the perfect place for adventurous souls who wish to explore trekking options. The best thing to do here is to go on the trek from Lamayuru to Chilling. It is an adventurous moderate trek that gives trekkers a chance to explore the Ladakhi lifestyle, explore ancient monasteries, and walk through beautiful villages and valleys.
The trek is all about passing through rural villages with barley fields, high mountains, and apricot trees. The main attraction of the trek is the three crosses that have to be passed.
Places to Visit Near Lamayuru Monastery
- Moonland
If you ever wish to go to the moon and think about it, here is your chance to fulfil your dream.
This moonland is a must-visit place near the Lamayuru monastery, which is approximately 3.1 km in size and offers a stunning experience of the lunar surface.
The best part is its moon-like or Mars-like structures, as the surface greatly resembles the surface of the moon. It is uneven with strong rock formations and will give visitors an unforgettable, unique experience. The golden, whitish-coloured rocky hills of Moonland are what make it unique and offer an exotic and mesmerising view. The place is at its best on a full moon night, as it has a unique sight to behold and is something travellers cannot see on other days.
- Wanla Monastery
Also known as Wanla Gompa, the monastery is deeply rooted in the Buddhist tradition and is said to be a sub-monastery of Lamayuru. It is the most preferred place in Ladakh, popular for its unique architectural style, with many structures that add to its natural beauty. It is also a significant spiritual centre as monks engage in various religious activities, including daily prayers, rituals, and ceremonies. It is a must-visit place near Lamayuru Monastery, renowned for its historical significance, unique architecture, and serene surroundings.
- Uleytokpo
It is among the best trekking locations that are close to the Lamayuru monastery, about 46 km. The place is full of visitors every year because it is considered one of the best camping spots, offering a picture-perfect atmosphere. Here, visitors can enjoy the best accommodation facilities, where they can get a proper rest and soak in the scenic views.
It’s a small town close to the mainland, but it’s a great place for trekking. It is a lesser-known town in Ladakh with phenomenal views and amazing vibes. The place also serves as the ideal starting point for many trekking trails and is a camping heaven.
- Alchi Monastery
Alchi monastery is at the top of the list to explore, near Lamayuru monastery, just 60 km away. It is another site known for wall paintings and beautiful, unique artworks. The Monastery is the oldest among all the other monasteries in Leh Ladakh, with a serene environment and exclusive craftsmen and design. It is quite a popular place owing to its exquisite murals, sculptures, a Kashmiri-style assembly hall, and paintings.
The best months to visit it are from May to September. Also, you must visit the place during the Tibetan New Year festivals, Dajyur, Sho Dun, Galdan Namchot, etc . Also, the painted statue of Bodhisattva Maitreya is a notable attraction at the monastery, and it should not be missed.
Entry Fee for Lamayuru Monastery
If you are planning a visit to the Lamayuru monastery in Ladakh, the entry fee is 50 per cent INR per person, which is used for the maintenance of this significant site in Ladakh. However, there can be some variation in the charges for Indian tourists and foreigners. There may also be additional charges, including photography fees and guided tour fees.
Lamayuru Monastery Opening Hours : The place is best to visit from May to September, from 8 AM to 5 PM. However, tourists can visit the place at any time during the day, from sunrise to sunset.
How to Reach Lamayuru Monastery
Lamayuru Monastery, Ladakh, is a serene place well known for its devotion and lies on the road connecting Leh and Srinagar. The place is almost in the middle of the highway NH1D, which links Kargil and Leh. You can reach the place via :
Air
However, it is located at a high altitude, and you can reach it from many major airports, such as Srinagar and Leh. Reach Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport in Leh, as it is about a two-hour drive and is the nearest. After reaching Srinagar airport, you can reach the monastery by taking a cab, which is an eight-hour drive.
Road
You can reach the monastery by road as the region is well-connected, and you can easily get to both Srinagar and Leh. There are also many buses available, run by JKSRTC, that connect Leh and Srinagar and pass through Lamayuru. It’s a long journey, but it’s all about the picturesque scenery and views that make it worth it. By taxi or car, tourists can reach the monastery in about two hours from Leh.
Rail
Lamayuru Ladakh, is not connected to the rails. However, you can take a train to Jammu. After reaching Jammu, start your journey via road to reach the place, which is about 115 km from Leh.
FAQ's
Lamayuru Monastery is one of the popular tourist destinations in Leh Ladakh. This monastery is the oldest Buddhist monastery located in the heart of Ladakh. Lamayuru Monastery is also known as Yuru Monastery. It is a Tibetan Buddhist Monastery that also offers travellers to witness the spectacular beauty of the mountains and hills.
Yes, tourists can get styling options at Lamayuru Monastery, as there are many mid-range hotels and guesthouses available near Lamayuru village in Ladakh.
The Monastery remains open from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. The entrance fee for Lamayuru monastery is 50 rupees for tourists. The monastery is in the small town of Lamayuru. You can visit here anytime in the day from sunrise to sunset.
The distance from Leh to Lamayuru is 107 kilometers. You can take the Srinagar-Leh highway or Prikti La Pass- the gateway of Zanskar Valley. The journey from Leh to Lamayuru is enjoyable and the road conditions are also good.
Yes, Lamayuru monastery is worth visiting place. It offers travellers a breathtaking view of the entire Lamayuru village and the monastery. The monastery is regarded as one of the most beautiful and oldest monasteries in Ladakh.
Lamayuru Monastery is often regarded as one of the most unique Leh Ladakh monasteries due to its dramatic moon-like landscape, ancient history, and spiritual significance. Perched on a rugged cliffside, it is one of the oldest monasteries in the region and offers breathtaking views, traditional architecture, and vibrant festivals that attract both devotees and travelers.
Lamayuru Ladakh is famous for its unique mainland landscape and beauty, which cannot be described in words. The area that surrounds the monastery is unique. Also, the monastery is well known for its popular annual festival, Yuru Kabat, a unique masked dance event.
Lamayuru Ladakh landscape is said to be a moonland because of its moonlike landscape, which is divine and captivating. There is an ancient village here called Moonland, which has a moon-like terrain and attracts many travellers.
