Matho Monastery

Matho Monastery is more than 500 years old and comes under the management of Sakya Monastic Establishment in Ladakh. This site is situated in the Indus River valley and was established by Lama Dugpa Dorje. There is a small museum inside the complex, which has some ancient collections of Thangkas that are showcased in the form of mandalas.

Travellers can also see a holy shrine inside the monastery, which is dedicated to the main guardian deities. It is an ideal place for understanding and studying the traditional Buddhist teachings and ideologies. Visitors come to this place during the famous Matho Nagrang festival, when the Buddhist monks perform sacred rituals and dances.

Diskit Monastery

Diskit Monastery, also known as 'Deskit monastery' is not only the oldest but also the largest Buddhist Gompa in the Nubra Valley, Ladakh. The prayer hall of the monastery consists of a statue of Maitreya Buddha, various images of other guardian gods as well as huge drum. This monastery is of the Gelugpa sect (Yellow Hat) of Tibetan Buddhism, founded by Changzem Tserab Zangpo, a disciple of Tsong Khapa, founder of Gelugpa, during the 14th century. The monastery’s cupola is same as the Tashilhunpo Monastery of Tibet.

Every year this monastery plays host to the popular Dosmoche festival, held during the month of February, which is a famous tourist attraction.

Samstanling Monastery

Placed in the Sumlur village of the Nubra valley region, Samstanling Monastery was founded 140 years back in 1841 by Lama Tsultim Nima. The Monastery is 124 km from Leh and serves to more than 50 monks with the daily needs. The place is to be found in the middle of pleasant scenic beauty and is surrounded by traditional hues of Gold, Red Ocher and white.

The entrance of the Monastery is lined with religious flags and the inside halls are lined with wall paintings representing Buddha and his lectures, Dharamchakra, the Four Heavenly Kings and the other facts of Buddhism.

At the entrance of the monastery tourists are welcomed by a 7 year old young boy who blesses all the followers with great solemnity and also tie threads on their wrist.

Gurudwara Pathar Sahib

Gurudwara Pathar Sahib is a highly revered gem located 25 miles away from Leh town on Kargil Leh Highway. Devoted to Guru Nanak Devi Ji, the founder of Sikh Religion, the sacred place beautifully commemorate his visit to Ladakh. Dating back to 1517, the Gurudwara houses a boulder with imprints of the head, shoulders and backside of Shree Guru Nanak Dev.

Not only the Sikh and Hindu devotees but Tibetans also bow down here and worship the presiding deity as Lama Nanak or Guru Gompa Maharaj. A legend is associated with the place and makes it a famous pilgrimage spot for the people visiting Leh- Ladakh.

Jama Masjid

Located in the heart of Leh town is the Jama Masjid, which is one of the major historical mosques in Ladakh. This mosque is considered to be the biggest mosques in the Ladkah region and consists of a memorial which is known as 'Shahi Hamdan'. This memorial is made in dedication to Mir Syed Ali Hamdani, a Muslim Sufi Saint.

It was built in 1666-67 A.D. as a result of an agreement between Aurangzeb, the Mughal Emperor and the then ruler of Ladakh, Deldan Namgyal. Since the time of its construction, the mosque has been dismantled and re-constructed using new techniques.

Shanti Stupa

The Shanti Stupa is white-colored domed-shaped structure, located in Chandspa which looks extremely beautiful during night when it is illuminated. This peace pillar was built a ‘peace sect’ of Japanese Buddhist organization to celebrate the completion of 2500 years of Buddhism and for the promotion of world peace. It was inaugurated by His Holiness, the Dalai Lama in 1985. This pillar is known for its gilt panels depicting the life stories of Lord Buddha.

It is just 5 kms away from the main city of Leh and is surrounded the traditionally built houses of the locals and snow-covered mountains. Take the steep slights to reach the Stupa that offers beautiful sunrise and sunset views.

Chamba Temple

According to the Eschatology of Buddhism which states the final events in history in the Buddhist viewpoint, Buddha supposed that all his teachings, particularly those on moral behavior would be disappear after 5000 years of its commencement and his reincarnation Maitreya would be born again and attain enlightenment and re-teach 'The Dharma' all over again. Buddhists await the coming of Maitreya. In this Endeavour the Buddhists have constructed several temples for Maitreya. This white Chamba Temple was built by King Tragspa Bumde in the 15th Century.

Paldan Lumo Temple

Paldan Lumo Temple is one of the uppermost temple located on the hill top near the river Indus in Leh District of Jammu and Kashmir. It has been made inside the Spituk monastery, that is located about 18 km from Leh. The leh temple is devoted to Vajrabhairava.

In the month of January annual festival is celebrated and the frightening face of Vajrabhairva is unveiled to the public. It also houses articles of tantrik worship, strange looking images, antiques and arms. The temple also contain a shield made of cane. The pillars of the temple are covered with the hides of tigers. The leh temple is the main attraction. The Indian army personnel posted at Leh are the main worshippers at this shrine.

Serzang Temple

Serzang temple is one of the famous leh temple located nearby to the royal quarters in Basgo village in Leh. Serzang temple were built during the time of 17th century using gold and copper. This leh temple has copper gilt picture of 30 ft height Maitreya Buddha. The temple can be reached by traveling on the main Leh-Srinagar Highway.

The temple has many mural paintings like Tilopa, Marpa, Mila Raspa and Naropa.The walls of Buddha pictures have been beautifully painted walls of Buddha along with the images of people associated with Red Hat sect, the temple has also a Serzang manuscript copy of the Tibetan Buddhist Canon, written in silver, gold and copper letters.

Kali Mata Mandir

Kali means the godess of death. This temple is rear because this is the only temple colocated with a Gompa (baudh monestry). It's near leh airport.

The famous Stok Gruru Tsechu mask dance festival celebrated every year during February for two days a week before the Matho Nagrang by the monks of Stok and Spituk monasteries. During this two day festival two laymen emerge as oracle trained by the monks to invoke the spirits of the deities and receive the blessings.