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Temples in Ladakh offer a unique glimpse into the region’s rich religious diversity. While Ladakh is often associated with monasteries and mountains, its Hindu temples, spread across Leh, Kargil, and nearby villages, reflect a blend of local and wider Hindu traditions. Many temples were built during the 19th-century Dogra period and serve as important worship sites for residents and pilgrims alike. Though smaller and simpler than large plains complexes, these temples stand out for their striking locations near mountains, rivers, and historic forts, showcasing Ladakh’s vibrant spiritual heritage.
10 Famous Temples In Ladakh You Must Visit
Temples in Ladakh, found in various towns and villages, range from small local shrines to larger historic sites important for pilgrims and linked to old rulers.
1. Red Maitreya Temple
Photo: Anmol Arora / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only
Red Maitreya Temple, also called Chamba Lhakhang, is in the old town of Leh, close to the palace. It was built in the 15th century and is known for its seated image of Maitreya, painted in red. The statue is the main feature of the shrine, and the walls have murals that show the art of that time. Residents visit for prayer, while travelers stop here while walking through the lanes near Leh Palace. The temple is not very large, but it is one of the older religious sites in Leh and carries both historic and cultural value.
How To Reach: In Leh town, reach on foot or by auto rickshaw/taxi
Highlights: Red Maitreya statue, 15th-century murals, old Leh town setting
Nearby Attractions: Leh Palace, Old Leh market
Suggested Read: Enhance Your Vacation With These Things To Do In Ladakh
2. Vajra Bhairav Shrine
Photo: Ingo Mehling / Wikimedia Commons
The Vajra Bhairav Shrine is part of Spituk Monastery, around 8 km from Leh. It is a small but powerful chapel that houses an image of Vajrabhairava, a fierce protector deity. The statue is kept covered for most of the year and is shown to the public only during the Spituk Gustor festival, when devotees gather from nearby villages. People in the area say the shrine protects the place, and it remains part of Spituk’s daily religious life. The structure is simple, but its importance comes from the deity and the rituals done there.
How To Reach: About 8 km from Leh, taxis and buses are available
Highlights: Vajrabhairava image, rare unveiling, protective shrine
Nearby Attractions: Spituk Monastery, Leh airport
3. Serzang Temple
Photo: Deepank Ranka / Wikimedia Commons
Serzang Temple stands in Basgo, about 40 km from Leh, and is part of the Basgo fortress complex. It was built in the 17th century by King Jamyang Namgyal and contains a large copper-gilt statue of Maitreya Buddha. The temple walls were once fully painted with murals, and although much has faded, sections can still be seen. The building was made with mud-brick and timber, a style common in Ladakh’s villages. Local people continue to visit it for worship, and travelers explore it while visiting Basgo Fort. The temple is smaller than the major monasteries, but its age and connection to the Namgyal dynasty give it both historic and religious importance.
How To Reach: 40 km from Leh, on the Leh–Kargil highway
Highlights: Copper-gilt Maitreya, 17th-century murals, mud-brick style
Nearby Attractions: Basgo Fort, Basgo village
Suggested Read: Ladakh Travel Guide
4. Paldan Lumo Temple
Photo: Ingo Mehling / Wikimedia Commons
Paldan Lumo Temple, also called Paldan Lhamo Temple, is located inside the Spituk Monastery complex near Leh. The shrine is dedicated to a fierce guardian deity linked with Vajrabhairava, and local people believe it protects the area. The image kept inside the shrine is considered too powerful to be shown daily, so it remains covered through most of the year. During the Spituk Gustor festival, usually held in January, the deity is revealed to the public, and devotees gather from nearby villages. The temple is small and plain. Its place is in local tradition and monastery rites.
How To Reach: About 8 km from Leh, on the Leh–Kargil road
Highlights: Guardian deity shrine, rare unveiling, part of Spituk Monastery
Nearby Attractions: Spituk Monastery, Leh town
5. Kali Mata Temple
Photo: Sukhpreet Lotey / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only
The Kali Mata Temple stands inside the Spituk Monastery complex, about 8 km from Leh. It is a small shrine, separate from the larger monastery halls, and is dedicated to Goddess Kali, also called Shakti or Mahakali. The image of the deity kept here is regarded as powerful. It remains covered through most of the year and is only shown during the Gustor Festival, when villagers and pilgrims gather to see the unveiling and take part in the rituals. Even though the temple is modest in size and design, local people hold strong devotion for it, and it continues to be part of daily worship linked to the monastery.
How To Reach: About 8 km from Leh, inside the Spituk Monastery
Highlights: Hidden Kali idol, Gustor rituals, local devotion
Nearby Attractions: Spituk Monastery, Indus Valley view
Suggested Read: Exploring Diskit Monastery
6. Mangyu Temple Complex
Photo: Shalender Kumar / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
The Mangyu Temple Complex lies in Mangyu village, about 70 km from Leh, and is considered one of the earliest surviving temples in Ladakh. Built during the 12th–13th century, the complex has two main temples and two chapels. The largest shrine holds an image of Vairocana, while another temple is dedicated to Sakyamuni. The chapels contain tall Maitreya figures with different attributes. The walls were once painted with detailed murals, some of which remain visible. The style of the art links it with the early Western Himalayan school, similar to Alchi.
How To Reach: 70 km from Leh via the Sham Valley road, by taxi or shared vehicle
Highlights: Vairocana and Sakyamuni temples, Maitreya chapels, early murals
Nearby Attractions: Mangyu village, Alchi Monastery, Sumda Chun
7. Op Baba Shrine
Photo: Shalender Kumar / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
Op Baba Shrine is a small memorial shrine located on the route from Nubra Valley toward the Siachen Base Camp. It honours Rifleman Om Prakash (called “OP Baba”), a soldier whose story and reputed protection of troops became a local legend. Over time, the spot was developed into a sarva-dharma (multi-faith) shrine where soldiers pause to offer a report and leave offerings before moving toward the glacier. Civilians who travel toward the Siachen area usually stop at this shrine — the actual base camp and glacier posts beyond are restricted.
How To Reach: Via Nubra Valley; the shrine is reached from the Nubra road before the Siachen Base Camp.
Highlights: Memorial to Om Prakash (OP Baba), multi-faith sarva-dharma shrine, soldiers’ ritual reports and offerings.
Nearby Attractions: Panamik / Sumur / Warshi villages; Siachen Base Camp
Suggested Read: Puga Valley In Ladakh
8. Chamba Temple
Photo: Ms Sarah Welch / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Chamba Temple is part of the Alchi monuments, about 65 km from Leh on the road to Srinagar. It was built in the 11th century and is counted among the oldest temples in Ladakh. The main feature is the tall Maitreya statue that rises through more than one level of the structure. The temple walls and ceilings are painted with scenes of Bodhisattvas, mandalas, and other designs, done in the old western Himalayan style. Many of these paintings have faded, but still show details that connect to early art in the region. From the outside, the building looks plain, but inside it is filled with murals and the large figure of Maitreya.
How To Reach: 65 km from Leh, on the Leh–Srinagar highway
Highlights: Tall Maitreya statue, 11th-century murals, western Himalayan art
Nearby Attractions: Alchi Monastery complex, Indus Valley villages
9. Sankar Temple
Photo: Aadil Mehraj / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
Sankar Temple is located about 3 km from the center of Leh and is part of the Sankar Monastery complex. The temple is dedicated to Avalokiteshvara, also called Chenrezig, and houses a two-storey statue of the deity that is one of its main attractions. The walls show paintings of guardian deities and other figures. The temple is smaller than the big monasteries of Ladakh, but local people still come here in the evenings for prayers. Around it are white stupas and some old trees, giving the place a quiet feel.
How To Reach: About 3 km from Leh, reached by walking or local taxis
Highlights: Two-storey Avalokiteshvara statue, murals, quiet setting
Nearby Attractions: Sankar Monastery, Leh town
Suggested Read: Thiksey Monastery
10. Datun Sahib
Photo: Ultimate Travel Photos / Shutterstock
Datun Sahib is in Leh town, close to the Leh Mosque and the old market lanes. The place is linked with Guru Nanak, who is believed to have visited here during his travels. Local people say he planted a meswak tree at this spot, and the tree still stands inside a fenced area that is treated as sacred. The shrine is small, only a few simple structures set around the tree. Sikhs come here, and locals of other faiths also stop to pray or sit for a while. There is no large temple building, but the place is valued because of the story and the tree linked with Guru Nanak.
How To Reach: In Leh’s old town, near the Leh Mosque and market
Highlights: Meswak tree, Guru Nanak link, small shrine
Nearby Attractions: Leh Mosque, Leh Palace, market area
Temples in Ladakh hold rich history and are integral to local worship, distinct from the region’s famous monasteries. Some date back centuries, featuring murals and statues, while others are small shrines linked to villages. Each temple tells its own story and remains a vital part of Ladakh’s culture. Travelers who visit these sites experience more than just mountains—they connect with the region’s faith and heritage. TripXL helps plan routes and bookings to include these temples in your journey.
Cover Photo: Anmol Arora / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only
