Leh - Monasteries

Monday, 7 September 2015

This morning we visited two spectacular monasteries near Leh.

Thiksay Gonpa

We left very early (5:30 AM) to be sure to be at Thiksay in time to hear the blowing of the conch trumpets.

The impressive Thiksay Gonpa (monastery).

Probably the highlight of the entire morning: the dog howled along with the conches.

Listen to the conch trumpets. The dog chimes in just before the 44 sec mark.

The meeting hall. We listened to the first hour of the daily prayer chanting by the monks.

A monk chanting.

Two boys played the drums during the chants.

In addition to the drums, there were cymbals, bells, and a double-reed instrument. One set of chants was accompanied by rhythmic clapping.

Listen to a snippet of instruments and chanting.

In a neighboring temple there was a very large Buddha, about three storeys high.

A view of the gate as we left Thiksay.

Hemis Gonpa

A bit further down the road is the Hemis Gonpa. Although larger than Thiksay, it does not present an impressive facade.

The Hemis Gonpa is hidden behind these hills at the end of a steep canyon. Although only a few km off the main road, it is so well hidden that it was never discovered by enemies, and thus escaped vandals and plunderers over the centuries. It is one of the wealthiest Buddhist monasteries. Its "safe room" holds many valuable objects and archaeological treasures.

The main courtyard. You can see that the monastery is located at the end of the canyon, against a steep slope.

These young monks are waiting to go into the newer meeting hall for a class on creating mandalas.

Here the students are practicing placing sand in the very exacting patterns required to make a mandala.

Mahakala -- one of many paintings on the walls of the meeting hall.