Mulbekh Monastery
Overview
Mulbekh Monastery is located in the Kargil district of Ladakh. The monastery consists of two gompas, namely, Serdung Gompa of Drukpa Sect and Gildan-se Gompa of Gelugpa Sect.
Since the monastery is at a height of about 11,495 feet, it offers some beautiful views of the Leh-Kargil Highway(NH1D). The prime attraction of the Monastery is the 9 feet rock carved statue of Maitreya Buddha, sitting in meditation.
It dates back to the 8th century and is one of the oldest ones in the Kargil district. In Kargil you can visit Kargil war memorial which is among the best places to visit in Kargil.
It is about 45 kilometers from Kargil district and 260 kilometers away from Leh city. You can easily avail buses or taxis to reach there. The best time to explore Mulbekh Monastery is from May to September when the Highway is clear and open.
Scholars and Buddhists from all over the world come here. Contact Cliffhangers India for assistance in exploring the Mulbekh Monastery. Here’s a detailed account on the same. Take a look!
Highlights of Mulbekh Monastery
- Statue of Maitreya Buddha: The Monastery houses a 30 feet or 9 meters long statue of Maitreya Buddha. It is carved out of a rock and remains one of the oldest ones. The statue faces the NH1D highway that lies between Leh and Kargil.
- Silk Route: As you visit the Mulbekh Monastery,Kargil, you’ll see it is situated on the top of a hill, about 656 feet from the road. From the tophill, you can see the famous Silk Route. The route held immense historical as well as strategic importance in ancient times. The monastery remains as a resting point for tourists.
- 800-years old: The Mulbekh Monastery dates back to the 8th century and is believed to be constructed by missionaries who came to Ladakh for the spread of Buddhism. The Monastery is a way to look into the history of Buddhism and its messages.
Popular Ladakh Tours
7D/ 6N
7D/ 6N
6D/ 5N
11D/ 10N
Mulbekh Monastery Festival
A popular festival celebrated at Mulbekh Monastery is the Losar festival. It marks the beginning of Tibetan New year.
People dress up in new clothes and houses are cleaned. Various delicacies are prepared in every Ladakhi home and people share it with each other.
At the Mulbekh Monastery, the celebration consists of masked dance by lamas, recitals of prayers and local songs and various other events.
You can plan your Ladakh trip accordingly as to coincide the dates with the festival. It is an excellent way to explore the rich culture and heritage of Leh Ladakh.
Best Time to Visit Mulbekh Monastery
The best time to visit Mulbekh Monastery, Kargil is from April to September. The temperature in summer is moderate and ranges between 15°C to 25°C. Snowfall has completely stopped by now in Kargil. Pleasant and comfortable weather features the Mulbekh Monastery.
You can surely visit here to explore it thoroughly. Even the Leh-Kargil Highway leading to the Monastery is open and motorable.
Plan a scenic road trip on NH 1D and explore this enroute sightseeing spot, Mulbekh Monastery, as you are on your way to Leh city. For photography, plan the trip in October and November as different hues of colours cover the Monastery and around. In winter, heavy snowfall is experienced.
While Monastery remains accessible throughout the year, the roads to it are closed and very difficult to drive on. Plan the visit only after checking the weather forecast and road conditions. Carry suitable clothes according to the climate.
Major Attractions at Mulbekh Monastery
Suru Valley
Suru Valley is one of the most-visited places in Leh Ladakh. While it is 230 kilometres away from the capital city of Leh, it is only 126 kilometers from Mulbekh Monastery.
It lies in the eastern part of Ladakh, accessible via Suru-Leh Highway (NH1). Suru Valley features the majestic Suru River as it also gets its name from here only.
Here, you can do different water based activities like river rafting, boating and camping.
The best time to visit the valley is from April to September as it is covered in snow in winter.
Rangdum Monastery
Apart from Mulbekh Monastery, if you are looking for another one to explore, visit Rangdum Monastery. They are 162 kilometers apart and the distance is covered in around 4-5 hours.
Located at an altitude of 3657 meters, it belongs to the Gelugpa sect. The Monastery lies between Kargil and Padum on the head of Suru Valley.
The monastery is about 200 years old and remains one of the most visited ones.
If you are visiting Zanskar valley, make sure to stop by here as it falls right in the way. The monastery houses ancient scriptures. It is accessible throughout the year
Kargil
Kargil town is about 40 kilometers from Mulbekh Monastery. The town is a cultural hub of Ladakh. It is militarily significant too with lots of past battles fought here.
In Kargil, you can visit Kargil War Memorial or Vijaypath it is among the best places to visit in Kargil. Here, the names of soldiers who died fighting for the country are engraved in the pink sandstone with which it is built.
When people visit Kargil town they surely go to Mulbekh Monastery and vice versa. One of the popular things to do in Kargil is trekking.
If you are an avid lover of adventures, there are various treks available here like Lamayuru-Leh, Sankaru Drass Valley, NunKun etc.
Keep all the trekking gears and wear enough layerings of woollen clothes.
Lamayuru Monastery
Located at a distance of about 66 kilometres from Mulbekh Monastery. It lies in the Lamayuru Village. The Lamayuru Monastery gives you insight into the cultural heritage of Ladakh.
It is also called Yungdrung Monastery. Considered as one of the oldest ones, it was built in the 10th century. There are many murals designed in the monastery.
Explore it and get to know about the statues, paintings that are hung on the walls. It is believed to be the place where the translation of Buddhist scriptures into Tibetan was done by Buddhist scholar Lotsawa Rinchen Zangpo.
The highlight of this monastery is the annual Lamayuru Festival. It is accessible year round.
Shargole Monastery
The closest attraction to Mulbekh Monastery is Shargole Monastery. It is only 10 kilometers away and a 15 minutes drive is more than enough.
The Monastery is situated in the Shargole village of Kargil. As you see for the first time, it looks like hanging between a brown cliff.
It is a lesser explored monastery of Kargil. Do visit here and 1 hour is enough to explore it thoroughly.
While many people including monks aren’t here, you will surely meet some locals and workers at the monastery.
From the verandah, you can enjoy a holistic view of the surrounding villages.
Best Things to do at Mulbekh Monastery
There are so many things you can do at Mulbekh University. Interact with the monks and get to know about the Gompa in a better way. The various artefacts, architecture, and Tibetan literature is stored here. You can practice meditation and offer prayers, sitting in the big halls.
You can trek to the nearby Mulbekh village and interact with the local people. Even rock climbing and bouldering is available here. Various homestays are offered here. Enjoy local cuisine at a nearby dhaba or restaurant. Savour momos, thukpa, etc.
The surrounding area and Mulbekh University is tucked in by towering mountains. Natural beauty is spread all around. Bring a camera and click some gorgeous pictures at sunrise or sunset. You can visit the local markets and buy souvenirs and gifts for your loved ones. Lastly, maintain peace in the monastery and respect the rules and regulations there.
How to Reach
To reach Mulbekh Monastery, there are many ways. Starting with air travel, the nearest airport is Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport in Leh city.
From the airport, continue your journey to Kargil which is about 210 kilometers. It takes 4-5 hours to reach Kargil from the airport and then another 2 hours to reach Mulbekh Monastery. You can either take a bus or book a taxi. The Monastery is 45 kilometers away from Kargil district.
You can plan a road trip from Srinagar to Kargil via Srinagar-Leh Highway NH 1D and then proceed to the monastery.
While bus services from both Leh and Srinagar operate to reach Kargil and taxis are available to Mulbekh Monastery, you can surely drive your private vehicle to reach there.
FAQ's
What is the entry fee for Mulbekh Monastery?
There Is no entry fee for Mulbekh University. Both Indians and foreigners can come here without paying anything.
Are there any accommodation options near Mulbekh Monastery?
While you can avail homestays at nearby Mulbekh Monastery, some mid-range hotels are available in Kargil district. Since you’ll be back from the monastery by noon, spend the night in Kargil town.
What is the history of Mulbekh chamba?
Dating back to the 8th century, Mulbekh Monastery is historically important in the spread of Buddhism in Ladakh. Even today the Monastery attracts scholars and tourists from all over the world.
Which is the most isolated monastery in Ladakh?
Phuktal Monastery is the most isolated monastery in Ladakh. It is located in the remote regions of Zanskar Valley.
Call Now
