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Surrounded by the tranquil environment, Sankar Monastery or Sankar Gompa is situated on the outskirts of Leh and provides the spiritual and cultural essence of Ladakh. The monastery, which belongs to the Gelugpa School of Tibetan Buddhism, is not solely worshipping grounds but a calm enclave embraced by breathtaking sceneries. Sankar Monastery was fitted out with an overly elaborate architectural detail in the early 20th century and was placed on the site of an existing structure already in place for almost 500 years.
Sankar Monastery Location
Photo: Sudipta Maulik / Wikimedia Commons
Sankar Monastery or Sankar Gompa is situated at an approximate distance of 3 kilometres from Leh in Ladakh, located in India. However, in lovely surroundings other than the barley fields and the Khardung La Pass, Sankar is the daughter of Spituk Monastery which houses the Kushok Bakula, the Abbot there.
How To Reach Sankar Monastery
Photo: Ingo Mehling / Wikimedia Commons
Here are the steps that you need to follow to reach Sankar Monastery in Leh:
By Air: The most accessible airport is the Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport which has incoming flights bearing several busy cities, Delhi and Srinagar inclusive. After some time, get a taxi (costing approximately 200-300 Rupees) and get driven to the monastery in about 15-20 minutes.
By Road: Sankar Monastery is about 3 km from the centre of Leh. You can walk (30 minutes) or take a local taxi. Local buses also connect Leh to the monastery.
By Train: The closest railway station is Jammu Tawi, which is about 734 km. After leaving Jammu take a taxi or bus to reach Leh priced around Rs 1500.
Places To Visit Around Sankar Monastery
Sankar Monastery is surrounded by several other attractions further enhancing the enjoyment of the tourists.
1. Zorawar Fort
Photo: Deeptrivia / Wikimedia Commons
Zorawar Fort is a historical fort in Leh-Ladakh built in the year 1836 for General Zorawar Singh Kahluria. This grand edifice was built under the dominance of the Dogra dynasty and acted for a long time as a military fort. The fort is particularly remarkable because of its location and its Tibetan-style architecture which has thick stone walls and beautiful patterns. Dogra rulers’ Treasury was stored in it but now it has a museum full of history with old displays, coins, and stamp collections.
Distance: 3.8 km from Sankar Monastery (10 minutes by taxi)
Hours: Open daily from 9 AM – 5 PM
Best Time To Visit: April to September offers pleasant weather
2. Leh Palace
Photo: KennyOMG / Wikimedia Commons
Leh Palace also referred to as Lhachen Palkhar is an eye-catching nine-storied construction that was made in the 17th century by the command of King Sengge Namgyal. It is located on top of Namgyal Hill and offers breathtaking views of the city of Leh and the Zanskar range of mountains. The style of this palace is very much like the style of Potala Palace in Lhasa with its impressive Tibetan architecture consisting of heavy cavernous walls and wooden balcony enclaves. The high floors once hosted the resident royals whilst the underground levels were used for keeping horses and storing goods.
Distance: 4.9 km from Sankar Monastery (15 minutes by taxi)
Hours: Open daily from 8 AM – 5 PM
Entry Fees: ₹15 for Indian nationals and ₹100 for foreign tourists
Best Time To Visit: April to September offers pleasant weather and clear views
3. Namgyal Tsemo Gompa
Photo: Karunakar Rayker / Wikimedia Commons
Namgyal Tsemo Gompa was built in the 15th century by Tashi Namgyal, the king of Ladakh, and is situated on a high hill above Leh. The monastery has an enormous three-storey solid gold statue of Maitreya Buddha making it one of the most famous monasteries. It also contains old manuscripts and beautiful wall paintings. Its assembly hall contains images of different Buddhas as well as beautiful paintings covering the walls. The tranquil atmosphere is complemented with stunning views of the Indus River and the Zanskar Range in the distance.
Distance: 4 km from Sankar Monastery (about 10 minutes by taxi)
Opening Hours: Daily from 8 AM – 6 PM
Best Time To Visit: June to September, avoiding heavy snowfall months
4. Hall Of Fame Museum
Photo: RPSkokie / Wikimedia Commons
Approximately 4 km from Leh on the road towards Kargil is the Hall of Fame, a museum commemorating those Indian armed forces who died during the Indo-Pak conflict and wars. It has been built by the Indian Army and is a mark of appreciation for their courage. The museum has two levels. The upper level contains the OP Vijay Gallery which showcases war artefacts and displays from the Kargil War whereas the lower level is filled with Kargil War photos and narratives including a wall-mounted display captioned Lest We Forget with pictures and names of the dead soldiers.
Distance: 6.8 km from Sankar Monastery (15 minutes by taxi)
Opening Hours: 9 AM – 1 PM and 2 PM – 7 PM
Best Time To Visit: May to October
5. Shanti Stupa
Photo: ClickAR89 / Wikimedia Commons
Shanti Stupa is a white dome-shaped Buddhist structure built in 1991 by Japanese Bhikshu Gyomyo Nakamura with the vision of world peace. Sitting at a height of 4267 metres, it provides excellent and stunning views of Leh town and its adjoining ranges of the Himalayas. The stupa comprises two levels the first having a golden figure of Buddha and the Dharmachakra, the second level containing detailed sculptures showing important episodes from the life of Buddha.
Distance: 1.8 km from Sankar Monastery (5 minutes by taxi)
Hours: Open daily from 5 AM – 6 PM
Best Time To Visit: April to September offers pleasant weather
Where To Stay
Photo: Quant / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
When you are visiting Sankar Monastery, you can find plenty of accommodations in Leh. A few of those include Sankar Residency, a hotel that boasts of its impressive comfort and services, and Dawa Guest House, which is fancier and warmer. Others like Shaolin Ladakh and Hotel Nature’s Land are also of excellent reviews. Residing in this city Karemore not only enriches your implied visit to Sankar Monastery but also helps you move around to appreciate the heritage of the area.
Where To Eat
Photo: Christopher John SSF / Wikimedia Commons
Apart from exploring Sankar Monastery, Leh allows you several restaurant options. One well-known restaurant is Bon Appétit owing to the calming ambience and the presence of both continental and tandoori cuisine. If you want to enjoy true Ladakhi food, especially thukpa and momos then Alchi Kitchen is the place to be. Sky Wok Restaurant is also very popular as it serves a wide range of cuisines along with a delectable range of momos. Moreover, Lamayuru Restaurant offers Indian and Tibetan cuisine but is mostly focused on vegetarian dishes. There are also nice restaurants near the monastery that offer nice food.
Best Time To Visit
Photo: Goutam1962 / Wikimedia Commons
Sankar Monastery offers the most favourable conditions for tourists from March to October. This is the period when visitors are guaranteed to enjoy good weather in Leh hence making the sightseeing tours and the exploration of natural beauty in the area possible. Mild temperatures on average allow the visitors to partake in outdoor activities without the extreme winter that most regions experience. In case you want to participate in local nunnery celebrations, it is best to come in July or August when there are lots of cultural activities.
Other Factors To Consider
Photo: Txd / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Here are some factors to consider while you plan your trip to the Sankar Monastery.
Average Cost Of Trip
The typical daily cost of the voyage to Sankar Monastery differs from traveller to traveller and their travel style.
- Accommodation: ₹1,000 – ₹2,500 per night depending on whether you select cheaper guesthouses or decent star-rated hotels will be budgeted in this excursion.
- Meals: Expect meal prices to be in the range of ₹300 and ₹800 local Tibetan food can be found within the vicinity.
- Transport: A taxi service from Leh to the monastery will charge around ₹200-₹300. Or if you prefer, you can walk which is free of charge but will take around 30 minutes.
- Entrance Charges: The entry fee is very low at ₹30 and another ₹50 is for taking pictures.
In general, to make a day visit to the Sankar Monastery and its neighbourhoods and stay comfortable one has to plan a budget of around ₹2,000 to ₹4,000.
Tips For Travelers
- Dress Modestly: This is a place for prayer, and hence one is expected to wear loose clothes that cover the shoulders and knees.
- Maintain Silence: Noise pollution will not complement the tranquil surroundings so it is advisable to avoid talking even for leisure reasons as it will negate the purpose of the place.
- Stay Hydrated: The high altitude might be a serious issue; therefore drink enough water and do the needed acclimatisation.
- Guided Tours: A guide will help you know more about the monastery, its history, and the role it plays in society.
Sankar Monastery embodies everything about Tibetan Buddhism in Ladakh, which makes it even more of a cultural heritage site than just a religious building. Due to its peaceful surroundings and fascinating history and architecture, it is an ideal location for tourists in need of spiritual or cultural upliftment. Be it the beauty of the nature surrounding the place or the richness of its traditions, a trip to Sankar Monastery will offer you an experience that you will cherish. Plan your trip with TripXL and make sure to have a memorable experience.
Cover Photo: Bhrigu Bayan / Wikimedia Commons
