Each building is painted in red, white, and ochre color, which resembles the Potala Palace in Tibet. The layout and colouring of this section is reminiscent of the Narthang thangka series. There is even a song about the word jullay which says, The goodword that brings friends closeris jullay / The good word that make strangers friends is jullay. For a more respectful jullay to monks, you can say Choktsel Jullay!. In Tibetan, the word Gustor means Sacrifice of the 9th day and this day is celebrated as the victory of good over evil. Copyright 2023 All Right Reserved by E Ladakh Tourism. Thiksey Monastery is so massive that it is known to be Ladakh's largest Tibetan Monastery. If you are curious, ask a monk. The paintings are difficult to access behind the huge sculptures, with only the east side some visibility. Thiksey Monastery is situated at a distance of 19 km from Leh. Therefore in 1433,Jangsem Sherab Zangpofounded a small monastery in the north of Indus called Lhakhang Serpo, or Yellow Temple. Initially, there were only a few lamas who embraced the Gelug order but later due to his constant efforts, some of his disciples became renowned figures. The gonkhang is perhaps the only area that retains the painting and sculpture from the time of its consecration. 14 a & b). 5a & b). From November to May, the roads to Ladakh remain closed due to heavy rain or snowfall. It is often compared with the Potala Palace in Lhasa, on account of its general appearance, as it occupies the entire south face of a hill (Fig. However, before the 16th century CE, the Gelugpa (Yellow Hat) monastery structure was a part of the defence establishment for the Namgyal rulers, in Shey. She is also the producer and co-director of the award-winning documentaryThe Economics of Happiness. Therefore in 1433, World health organizations travel advice, before traveling, Hemis Monastery Facts, History and Complete Travel Guide, Diskit Monastery Facts, History and Complete Travel Guide, Lamayuru Monastery Facts, History and Complete Travel Guide, Sankar Monastery Facts, History and Complete Travel Guide, Leh Main Market Travel and Shopping Guide. Our team of dedicated specialists from Ladakh offers customized tour packages at discounted prices to all our customers who wish to spend a wonderful holiday in Ladakh. The unique location with the surrounding snow-clad mountains attracts thousands of tourists from all over the world. Visiting heritage sites in India and partaking in the amalgamation of its diverse culture is an experience that will be embedded in your mind forever. Khosla, Romi. Thiksey Monastery is one of the largest monasteries in Ladakh and is located about 19 Km from Leh on the LehManali highway. According to the 2011 census of India, Thiksey has 433 households. Thiksey Gompa hosts the Gustor ritual, organized from the 17th to 19th day of September. BJ was invited to serve as Thiksey Monasterys official photographer in 2010, 2016, and 2017 for three very special Thiksey-sponsored events with His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Buy arts and crafts made by the locals. Rest on the first day of your arrival to acclimatize yourself. The 12-storeyed monastery is built atop a hill and . There is good choice of accomodation available in Leh. The hall also contains murals of deities such as Sitatapatra and Mahakala and Thousand-armed Avalokitevara with Padmasambhava. The new Thiksey monastery was built a few kilometers away from Stagmo, on a hill above the Thiksey village. Ladakh has attracted the Indian film industry for decades, but has also provided a rich backdrop for many Hollywood films, as well, includingThe Curious Case of Benjamin Button,Hector and the Search for Happiness, and The Razors Edge. And directed him to meet the King of Ladakh and seek his help in the propagation of Buddhism. Once again, we climbed the staircase that led us to a three-storied mansion named The Maitreya Buddha Temple. His vision is to explore and document new trails, hike in the mountains and implement sustainable ways of trekking. Thiksey Monastery is a convenient 45min drive from Leh - the main city in Ladakh. There are various Buddhist statues and paintings inside the monastery plus 60 lamas who reside at the top of the hill. Buses are frequently available that leave for Thiksey every 15 minutes. A school for novices and a Tibetan medicine centre are also located within the monastery premises. But keep your flashlight off. The Thiksey monastery, painted in red, ochre and white, blends in well with the surrounding landscape. If you want to know about the local culture of the monastery, it would be best to visit during the Gustor Festival held in October or November. Traditionally, when chortens are made, tsa tsa (clay tablets embossed with mantras or images, gold and silver) are buried deep inside the core. One, in particular, has paintings inside (Fig. Helena Norberg-Hodge is the founder of both Local Futures (formerly ISEC) and the International Alliance for Localization (IAL), and is a founding member of the International Forum on Globalization (IFG) and The Global Ecovillage Network. 4b). The body of the statue is beautifully studded with valuable gems and decorated with golden jewels. The monks quarters line the slope densely, the space between the houses forming narrow alleys. There is fine detailing on the sculpture and an extensive use of gold and bright colours. From mountains to beautiful plains, there is a lot to capture at Thiksey. If you plan a trip to Thiksey Monastery and want to attend the early morning monastery rituals, try to reach as early as possible, You should wear conservative clothes and the dress should not be too revealing. Free parking is also available for visitors. The history of Thiksey is closely linked to the introduction of the Gelugpa order in Ladakh. By Rail: As the nearest railway station is at Jammu Tawi at a distance of 700 km, it is not a preferred means of transport. Discover Leh Ladakh is one of the oldest travel agencies with its offices at Leh and Manali. Rome: L'Istituto italiano per il Medio ed Estremo Oriente. We also partner with Tricycle: The Buddhist Reviewto bring interested Buddhist pilgrims and teachers to the Tibetan Plateau. Over the years each incarnate managed to expand the Gelugpa influence across the region. Animal masks (yak and deer) also make an appearance along with the lion-headed goddess. Our team of dedicated specialists from Ladakh offers customized tour packages at discounted prices to all our customers who wish to spend a wonderful holiday in Ladakh. Earlier, the nunneries in Ladakh were held in extremely pathetic positions, and the nuns lived in terrible conditions. The morning prayers at 7am, with synchronized chanting of the Buddhist stras at Thiksey monastery, attract many worshippers to observe the services. The lack of oxygen can be dangerous on your body so, be careful. The date for this ritual is calculated as per the Tibetan calendar and usually falls between the 17th to the 15th of the nine-month. An 11-headed six-armed Avalokitesvara is depicted (this is from an earlier period and in a damaged state) and the centre of the wall has Shakyamuni flanked in three rows by the five Tathagata Buddhas. The structure and architecture of Thiksey Gompa resembles with Potala Palace of Lhasa, Tibet. The west wall presents a damaged and dilapidated appearance, with some newly-painted sections. It will cover all the vital information, including accommodation, transport, and all the famous attractions to see in the breathtaking monastery. Thiksey Monastery is a popular attraction to visit in Leh-Ladakh and things to see in Leh. Timings:The opening hours of the monastery are from 7 am to 7 pm every day, including national holidays and Sundays. Thiksey is about 20km east of Leh town of Ladakh on Leh-Manali National Highway. An annual festival held in the monastery precincts is known as the Gustor ritual, which is held from the 17th to 19th day of the ninth month of the Tibetan calendar(OctoberNovember). To the north are two mandalas: one is unfinished (seems to be in the process of being repainted) and the other is the mandala of the Guhyasamaja. Bring some warm clothes and a jacket if you are planning to visit from October to May. The walls in the gonkhang retain most of the original paintings and it is open to the public for a very short period during the year. It was installed to commemorate the visit of the 14th Dalai Lama to the monastery in the year 1970. To be honest, its hard to write everything about Thiksey Monastery in just one article. The walls of the gallery portrayed huge paintings of Tsongkhapa and his disciples. Rigzin, Tsewang. Along with Thiksey, Hemis monastery and Shey palace can also be visited on the same day. Flanked on either side is the Guru Padmasambhava and Tsonkhapa with fierce deities below. The event is also primarily meant for considering religious/ritual and related issues. The major place which attracts numerous monks and tourists towards it is Maitreya Temple, which is dedicated to Lord Maitreya, who is considered as the future Buddha. Jamyang Namgyal and his wife continued their patronage to the Drukpa order in a limited fashion. 9). Luckily, it hosts many festivals all around the year. Theres so much more to discover like - water sports in still waters like boating, rowing, river rafting. Is there a festival to see in Thiksey Monastery? Ladakh is one the few places in the state which is dotted with several monasteries. The history, culture and, serenity of the monastery is happy memory to all those who visit. Among the major visible additions is the Chamba Lhakhang (built in 1980) with the 40 feet sculpture of Maitreya and the Photang complex (built in around 2010) at the base of the hill. A fee of Rs 20 is charged for entry to the monastery. It offers splendid views across the Indus Valley, the royal palace of Stok (to the south), the gompa at Matho (to the east), and the former royal palace at Shey. Studies show Republican states tip more and Republican men are the best tippers. At the bank of river Jhelum, amidst the bright pink almonds and promising maples, resting in its houseboats, is this city. The trend of holding an annual photang was started by the Drukchen (head of the Drukpa Kagyupa sect). It is dedicated to the lineage gurus and the Rinpoche (the incarnate) whose quarters are located close by. 7: Kanika Chorten (above the access roadon the old path). The dance is performed by a large number of characters such as nagas, yakshas, rakshasas, etc., and ends with the demon-shaped cake being sacrificed by dancers in black hats. Ltd. | Recognized by Ministry of Tourism, Government of India. Over the years, BJ has had the good fortune to spend time with and photograph the 20th Kushok Bakula Rinpoche, as well as the 102nd Ganden Tripa, Ling Rinpoche, Khen Rinpoche (current abbot of Tashi Lhunpo), KelKhang Rinpoche, Kachen Lobzang Zotpa, and HHDLs sister and humanitarian, Jetsun Pema. The walls surrounding the sculpture are full of paintings from the time of its consecration in 197980. New Delhi: Indus Publishing Company. A winding pathway leads up, through an elaborate gateway, to the courtyard around which are lined the main temples and other important structures (Fig. 1933. The major things which can be studied and witnessed include wall paintings, statues and stupas. However, the iconographic scheme and details of mudras, ayudha and other defining features have not been compromised. Discover Leh Ladakh 2007 - 2022 All Rights Reserved. The twelve-storey monastery is located on top of a hill, giving magnificent views of the town and the Indus valley below. The Thiksey landscape is dotted with chortens (stupa) of all shapes and sizes (Fig. The images have been over painted in a crude manner with a limited palette, with an abundance of synthetic ultramarine. After receiving the gifts, the King gave orders to help Sherab Zangpo establish a monastery of the Gelugpa order in Ladakh. 17: Paintings of yaks, vultures and crows, on the south wall of the gonkhang. Built around the 16th century, Thiksey is the main centre for a small sub-order of the Gelugpa sect with a resident Kushok (head lama) who runs the order with a firm hand, in strict accordance with the Vinaya texts. The association helped in raising the status of the Buddhist nuns. India is a home to many exquisite wildlife and bird sanctuaries. On the south side of the courtyard is a covered pavilion with paintings on the wall (Fig. And is famous for its resemblance to the Potala Palace in Lhasa. Several small shrines devoted to guardian deities including the Protector Deity of Thiksey (Cham-Spring) can be seen between the courtyard and the staircase. Located at an altitude of 11,800 ft (3,600 m), the Thiksey monastery is a twelve-story building. Fig. It was only in the late 19th century that a royal prince from Zanskar was appointed as the first Bakula of Petub. The other two walls continue in the style from the tsangkhang, with elaborate drawings of symbols and animals. 1997. We take altitude acclimatization seriously in order to ensure you have a wonderful time on the Tibetan Plateau. If you have any queries related to Thiksey Monastery, feel free to contact us. The disciples searched for the torma and found it placed on the other side of the hill above Thiksey village. Tsongkhapa also gave a statue of Amitayus to one of his disciples, Jangsem Sherap Zangpo. The Chamba Hotel near the monastery also has a restaurant that offers local Tibetan food. The easiest way to reach Thiksey monastery is to arrive in Leh on a flight and then hire a cab or taxi to Thiksey monastery. (Image by Sanjay Dhar). About Ladakh and Thiksey Monastery | RetreaTours The south wall has depictions of fierce deities of the Gelugpa lineage. The monasterys head lama, Ngawang Jamyang Jampa Stanzin Rinpoche (or, Thiksey Rinpoche for short), is a well-respected, influential, and progressive voice within the Ladakhi community. Below: Attendant figures for the fierce deities Mahakala and Dharmaraja. 10: The guardian deities in the entrance porch of the main Dukhang. the literacy rate of population excluding children aged 6 and below) is 75.42%.[2]. 6 a & b). Unless otherwise specified, all content is made available under the CC-BY-NC-SA 4.0 Licence, though additional terms may apply. Silence should be maintained within the monastery and carrying pets inside the monastery is prohibited. Sun, sand, sea and festivals for your mind, body and soul. It is the same place where the first monastery was established by Rinchen Zangpo in the tenth century. The main highlight of Thiksey is the Maitreya Temple which houses a 15-metre high Maitreya Buddha statue. Areas of painting exposed to direct sunlight are often faded. One of the most important ceremonies of the festival is the enactment of the assassination of King Lang Darma, who ruled Tibet from 838 CE to 841 CE. While choosing a site for the monastery, an unusual event occurred that eventually led to the setting up of the monastery at Thiksey. The murals in the courtyard depict the Buddha, Tsong Khapa, Palden Lhamo, Padmasambhava, and Mahakala. This is why Thiksey Monastery is also called Mini Potala. There is a legend behind the Thiksey Monastery. And also ensured positive developments in their betterment. We have been bringing guests to Ladakh since 2006, and in 2015, we created the first yoga retreat ever hosted at Thiksey Monastery, with internationally-recognized teacher Nikki Costello. This49 tall statue has a two-story temple built around it, surrounded with vivid wall paintings depicting the life of the Buddha. (Image by Sanjay Dhar). Most of the colours are thickly applied and sensitive to light. It was built by local artists under their master Guru Nawang Tsering of the Central Institute of Buddhist Studies. Please complete the twitter settings in the Twitter widget. The lamas, searching for the torma, found them laid out, undamaged, on a hill above Thiksey village. Here are a few travel tips that you should follow while you visit the Thiksey monastery: Please read theWorld health organizations travel advice, before travelinganywhere. The walls also have paintings, now covered in soot, with similarities in technique to other sites of the same date (late 16th to 17th century) (Fig.
