Feel The Essence Of Ladakh Package
2N Leh
1N Nubra
1N Pangong
1N Leh
- Inner Light Permit Charges
- Tour Manager
Ladakh is home to many famous and beautiful monasteries which are visited by millions of tourists all-round the year to marvel at the architecture and culture that they embody. Of the many monasteries, one stands out as a must-visit- the Thiksey Monastery. A trip to Ladakh is incomplete without visiting this beautiful gompa (monastery) overlooking the Indus Valley and set in a unique location surrounded by snow-clad mountains.
If you are going on a trip to Ladakh and are looking for a detailed guide to one of Ladakh’s main attractions that is visited by millions of tourists around the year – the Thiksey Monastery, you have come to the right blog. We will share everything you need to know to plan your visit to Thiksey Monastery from which rooms to see, which road to take and when to go.
Also Read: Places to visit in Ladakh & Things to do in Ladakh
About 19 kilometres east of Leh (the capital town of Ladakh), is the Thiksey Monastery. It is also famously referred to as the “Mini Potala of India” due to its resemblance to the beautiful Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet. The Thiksey Monastery is affiliated with the Yellow Har sect or Gelukpa sect of Tibetan Buddhism. The Thiksey Monastery is a prominent Monastery in India which was visited by the 14th Dalai Lama in 1970. To commemorate this special visit, the Maitreya temple had been installed. This Maitreya temple has come to be one of the main attractions on a trip to the Thiksey Monastery. The beautiful architecture, the serene location, and the rich cultural and historical significance of this gompa make it a must-visit location on your trip to Ladakh.
The history of Thiskey Monastery is interesting and is said to include divine intervention. Sherab Zangpo, who was a disciple of Jhe Tsong Khapa, the founder of the Gelugpa school of Tibetan Buddhism, and his disciple, Palden Sherab, were said to have built the monastery that now stands tall in the town of Thiksey, Ladakh. It is said that while passing through the valley of Arzoo, they came across what seemed to be a yellow stone parched in the desert. Believing it to be a holy site, they began to perform a special Buddhist ritual which included offering a “torma” (or Tibetan ritual cakes used as offerings in Buddhist rites and rituals). As they completed the ritual, a crow swooped up the torma and disappeared. Upon searching for the torma, they found it – still intact – in the doorway of King Palde Rigpa Gon’s palace on a hill near the Indus River. This site has now become what we know as Thiksey Monastery.
Over the next few centuries, the Thiksey Monastery came to expand exponentially in size and influence and is now a main attraction for tourists on their visit to Ladakh.
The Thiksey Monastery was built in 1430 AD by the Gelukpa sect of Tibetan Buddhism. Standing atop the hill at 11,800 feet above sea level, the Thiksey Monastery is a 12-storey Gompa with various buildings constructed in a hierarchical manner in ascending order of their significance and where every building serves a specific purpose and holds a distinct significance. At the entrance of the Thiksey Monastery is a statue of a Tibetan Deity, and at the top of the Monastery is Chorten (Stupa). After you enter the Monastery and climb up a few sets of stairs, you will reach a courtyard that will lead you to the main tall gompa (12 stories in height). The Thiksey Monastery consists of 10 temples with breathtaking views of the Indus Valley and the nearby Monasteries of Stok and Shey. Each building is painted in white, red and shades of yellow (ochre) colours which even resemble the Potala Palace. A notable and impressive feature of the Thiksey Monastery is the separate and dedicated building for female renouncers.
The Thiksey Monastery consists of various notable spaces, buildings, attractions, and rooms some of which include the magnificent Maitreya Buddha, the Tara Temple, the Lamokhang Temple, the Assembly Hall, the Library, the Rooftop, and the Nunnery among many others. The Thiksey Monastery also houses Lamas quartered at the top of the hill.
Reaching Thiksey Monastery is simple once you have reached Leh, Ladakh. You can reach Leh via road or air.
You can take a flight to the Leh Airport [also known as the Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport (IXL)]
Thiksey Monastery is about twenty kilometres (20 km) from Leh and can be accessed through both private transport and public transport.
You can drive or take a cab from Leh directly to Thiksey and then to the Monastery. A leisurely drive to the Thiksey Monastery will take you about forty-five minutes (45 mins) approximately.
If you wish to travel from Leh to Thiksey, do note that there is no direct bus from Leh to Thiksey. However, you can reach Thiksey with one simple bus interchange. Your route to Thiksey from Leh would be through Choglamsar (Leh – Choglamsar – Thiksey – Thiksey Monastery).
From Leh, you need to get on a bus to Choglamsar. You can hop onto the bus from the station opposite to Leh Local Bus stand. Buses from Leh to Choglamsar ply every fifteen minutes (15 mins) and it may take you anywhere between fifteen to twenty minutes (15-20 mins) to reach the Choglamsar bus stand.
From Choglamsar, you have two options to reach Thiksey:
From Thiksey to the Monastery – once you reach Thiksey, by bus, you are likely to get dropped off near the entrance of the Thiksey Monastery Complex on the main road. From this entrance, you must be prepared to walk to the top to reach the Monastery.
Your travel to Thiksey Monastery from Leh via bus and/or shared taxi is likely to cost you less than INR 100.
Reaching Leh | By Road | By Air |
Manali-Leh highway or Srinagar-Leh highway | Flight to the Leh Airport (IXL) |
Leh to Thiksey | By Car | By Bus/Shared Taxi |
Direct scenic drive to Thiksey Monastery. Duration of travel: 45 mins | Bus from Leh to Choglamsar, Interchange and take a bus to Thiksey and walk up to Thiksey Monastery. Shared Taxis can be hailed as well through the same route. Duration of travel by bus: 60 minutes |
A pro tip: If you are travelling to this Monastery by car, is to stop the car on the highway and walk up to the entrance of the Monastery to see magnificent views on your way up.
In 1970 when the 14th Dalai Lama visited, it was a milestone for the Thiksey Monastery. To commemorate this special visit, the Maitreya Buddha was installed. The Maitreya Buddha has become a main attraction of Thiksey Monastery standing at fifteen meters (15 meters) high and covering 2 stories making it the largest statue of Buddha in Ladakh. The Maitreya Buddha is a grand statue of Buddha made of copper and clay. This statue depicts Buddha seated in a lotus position and is painted in gold. It took local artists under the guidance of their master, Guru Nawang Tsering of the Central Institute of Buddhist Studies, four years to complete this magnificent statute. This statue of Buddha is famous for its vivid colours, breathtaking and intricate carving and mind-blowing craftsmanship. Perched atop a Monastery, it is an insta-worthy sight.
Another attraction of Thiksey Monastery is the Tara Temple also known as Dolma Lhakhang dedicated to Goddess Tara, who is revered as a saviour-goddess in Buddhism. In this temple, you will find a large statue of Goddess Tara and 21 images, in the form of statues, of Goddess Tara that are placed on wooden shelves and covered in glass.
You will see many smaller shrines devoted to the guardian deities between the courtyard and the staircase which also includes the Protector Deity of Thiksey (Cham-Spring). Further, the Chi Kang also has a portrait of Buddha and his two disciples and another deity, Yamantaka. The courtyard is filled with murals of Buddha, Tsong Khapa, Palden Lhamo, Padmasambhava, and Mahakal. You will also find statues of Avalokiteswara, the bodhisattva (“buddha-to-be”) and Lama Tsongkhapa which are a marvel to look at.
The Lamokhang Temple is situated on the top floor of the Monastery. It is a storehouse of various volumes of Stangyur and Kangyur. At the entrance of this temple, there are big stupas, mani walls and a large pillar engraved with Buddha’s teachings. Do note that women are not allowed on the floor on which this temple is set, which also has the residence of the incarnate Head Lama. There is also a smaller room that is used exclusively as a study room for little boys from the village who will later be chosen as lamas.
The Assembly Hall is a well-designed and beautiful room in the Monastery. It has one main centre seat for the Dalai Lama, one seat for the Head Lama on the right and on the left, a deity is pictured. The wall of the main prayer hall is covered with various murals of the Tibetan calendar and the wheel of life known as the Bhavacakra. The Bhavacakra has an image of a pig, a bird, and a snake which signify ignorance, attachment, and aversion.
The main prayer hall houses several painted and handwritten books and also includes 225 volumes of the Tengyur, which are the translated treatises which explain the teachings of Buddha, which are wrapped in silk. There are several murals of deities in the hall some of which are of the Thousand-armed Avalokiteśvara with Padmasambhava and Sitatapatra and Mahakala. There is also a smaller Buddha shrine situated behind the hall with the Maitreya Buddha on the left and Manjusri on the right.
The construction of the Thiksey Library and Learning Centre began with the groundbreaking ceremony in 2018 which was also attended by His Holiness Dalai Lama. It has been in operation since 2020. Since it began operation, many students have benefitted from the Library’s schemes and facilities. Over 350 students had been trained in secular ethics and the Learning Centre has also aided many students with free tuition during the winter season when schools are generally closed. In July 2022, his Holiness, Dalai Lama consecrated the completed library. This ceremony was attended by several distinguished guests including former Rajya Sabha Member, Thiksey Rinpoche and over 3000 students from schools in Ladakh.
One of the special features of the Thiksey Monastery is that it has a separate and dedicated nunnery for female renouncers. The Thiksey Monastery This nunnery is located within the bounds of the Monastery and is managed by the Monastery’s administration. In 1990, with the much-needed support from the international community, the stature of the nuns at Thiksey began to improve. Today, the welcoming nunnery is said to comfortably house around 26 nuns.
The Thiksey Monastery sits atop the hill overlooking the Indus Valley, the snow-clad mountains and the nearby Monasteries of Stok and Shey. The Rooftop of the Monastery, without doubt, offers breathtaking views of the magnificent snowclad mountains and the sparkling Indus River beneath a bright blue sky. It is recommended that you take your time to cherish the wonderful sight before taking that insta-worthy picture.
You can enter the Monastery through the marvellous main gate and climb the staircase which will take you to the prayer hall and temple. Walk through and climb further to reach the gallery with the rolling drum and paintings of Tsongkhapa and his disciples. You must continue climbing the stairs to reach the courtyard. Take some time to stroll around the colourful courtyard before making your way to the Maitreya Buddha and the rest of the attractions mentioned above.
It is recommended that you take your time walking through every hallway, courtyard, entrance and room of Thiksey Monastery to experience and marvel at the beautifully and thoughtfully constructed monastery which is an architectural masterpiece. Do not forget to stop by the rooftop of the Monastery and witness the breathtakingly beautiful view of the valley, the river and the snow-clad mountains.
Typically, a trip to Thiksey Monastery can take up half your day or even a few hours. You can drop by the Monastery on your way from Leh-Manali. You can also spend a day at the Monastery and capture the breathtaking sunset view from its rooftop.
If you want to spend a few days at this serene Monastery to calm your mind and soul or to learn more about Buddhist culture, you can stay at the Monastery itself at affordable and budget-friendly prices. Ensure that you check the rooms before you decide on your stay. You can also stay at the Chamba Hotel near the Monastery.
Food is provided at the Monastery during your stay.
There are also two cafes within the premises of the Monastery. One is situated near the parking lot and the other is situated at the rooftop and offers mind-blowing views while you eat.
You can also visit the restaurant at Chamba Hotel for local Tibetan food.
Typical duration of visit | : | 3 hours – multiple days |
Accommodation Options | : | At the Monastery At Chamba Hotel |
Food Options | : | Available at the Monastery One Café near the parking lot of the Monastery One Café on the rooftop of the Monastery. The restaurant at Chamba Hotel |
The Thiksey Monastery celebrates festivals all around the year. For a culturally rich and enjoyable experience, a trip to the Monastery during the festivals is highly recommended. Of the various festivals celebrated at the Monastery, the Thiksey Gustor Festival is one of the most famous and awaited festivals in all of Ladakh. Both locals and tourists excitedly wait for the Thiksey Gustor Festival held annually. The festival dates are based on the Tibetan calendar which follows a lunar cycle and is mostly celebrated between the 17th and 19th of the ninth month in the lunar calendar. This is usually in the month of October or November.
Also Read: Mask Dance Festival in Ladakh
The Thiksey Gustor Festival is celebrated with rituals and festivities that last for two (2) days and attracts many tourists from all over as a main attraction of Thiksey Monastery. The rituals of the festival include offering a ‘torma’ which indicates evil forces, as a sacrifice. Another event at the Thiksey Gustor Festival is the re-enactment of the assassination of a traitor, King Lang Darma, in the mid-9th century by a Buddhist monk. During this annual festival, the residents of the Monastery come together, dressed up and adorning masks, to perform the beautiful ceremony called the Chham dance – which is a highly choreographed sacred dance-drama. The masks adorned by monks are intended to represent various divinities found in the room dedicated to the guardian divinities in every major monastery called `Gon Khang’. This dance is a ritual of celebrating good over evil and is a beautiful sight and experience, especially for tourists on their trip to Thiksey Monastery. The festival concludes with the cutting of the sacrificial torma by the Black Hat Dancers, called Argham or killing, which is then distributed amongst the worshippers and the public.
Suggested Read: Fairs and Festivals of Ladakh
Various trade fairs are held at the foot of the hill where arts and crafts are bought and sold by locals and tourists alike. Such trades are often carried out in a barter system of exchange which holds significance to the locals. During the festival, you will also see many sand mandals of Guyusamaja, Chakrasamvara, and Vajravairava that are made every year, all with intricate and beautiful patterns.
If you were to spend a day at the Thiksey Monastery, it is highly recommended that you experience the Gustor festival.
Also Read: Monasteries in Ladakh
The best time to visit Ladakh and the Thiksey Monastery is between May to November and not during the winter which starts at the end of November all through to early May.
From May to November, the weather is enjoyable and your trip to the Thiksey Monastery will be rather pleasant. In these months, the region experiences warm sunshine and pleasant weather making exploration of the tourist attractions including the Thiksey Monastery) a wonderful experience. Various smaller festivals are organized and celebrated at the Thiksey Monastery during these months which will add diversity to your experiences on your trip to Ladakh.
It is highly recommended to visit Thiksey Monastery during its festival time which is between October and November. In these months, your trip to Thiksey Monastery will be rich in cultural experiences from the Gustor ritual and the numerous trade fairs that are organized. During festivals, beautiful sand mandals are made from grains of coloured ‘sand’ (which is powdered stone) at the base of the hill as part of tradition and Buddhist practices.
If you are someone who enjoys warmer vacations and trips, it is recommended that you plan your visit to Thiksey Monastery between May and June when there is not as much snow and it is not as cold as the rest of the year.
This region in winter time experiences heavy snowfall making travel inconvenient and expensive. Roads to Ladakh from nearby regions of Manali and Srinagar are closed for safety purposes. Air travel remains the only option to reach Leh followed by a rather inconvenient and cumbersome journey to Thiksey via road. If you plan to travel to Leh and visit Thiksey Monastery in the winter, be sure to check if the Monastery is open. It remains closed for tourists after November due to the heavy snowfall and re-opens in May.
Best time to visit | : | From May to November |
Recommended time to visit | : | October/November during the Thiksey Gustor Festival |
Recommended time to visit to avoid extreme cold & snowfall | : | May to June |
Monastery visiting time | : | May to November* *The Thiksey Monastery remains closed to tourists from December to February. |
Always check if the Monastery is open before planning your visits. The Monastery is open for tourists every day of the week from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM (including Sundays and on National holidays). The main Monastery also remains closed from 4:00 PM to 4:15 PM for a tea break. You will have to pay a small entry fee to visit the Thiksey Monastery which is INR 30 for all (including Indian citizens and foreign tourists). There is no additional fee for bringing a camera.
A pro tip is to visit the Thiksey Monastery in the early hours of the day to be a part of the morning prayers for the monks which is a sight to see and a wonderful experience. Be sure to be at the Monastery at 6:00 AM to be able to witness this.
There are various tourist attractions around the Thiksey Monastery. You can plan your day trip to the nearby places and also include a quick visit to the Thiksey Monastery.
You can also visit Shey Palace and Monastery on your way to Thiksey Monastery. We also recommend exploring other tourist attractions like you can also visit Gurudwara Patthar Sahib, Indus Zanskar Confluence, Magnetic Hill, Likir, and Alchi which are all short distances from the Thiksey Monastery.
The Thiksey Monastery is a stunning sight that transports you to another world. The Thiksey Monastery set in a hierarchical manner on one side of the hill, painted in red, white and ochre colours, against the bright blue sky is a heart-stirring sight. The whitewashed Monastery set against the colourful sunset is just as awe-inspiring. The Maitreya Buddha and the stunning architecture are the highlights of the Thiksey Monastery. Time slows down as you walk through the carefully constructed walls, rooms, stairs, halls and courtyard of this beautiful Gompa in Ladakh. Every inch of this Monastery holds cultural, religious, and architectural significance. A trip to this Monastery is an experience of a lifetime that we highly recommend.
Subscribe to our newsletter and stay updated
Our experts would love to create a package just for you!