Monasteries located near Manali Himachal Pradesh 

In this post, we will  take you to the monasteries in places to visit in India  along Manali highway in Himachal Pradesh in India.  

Choglamsar 

On the approach to Stok is a green oasis with poplars and willows where there are golf links and a polo ground as well as horticulture nurseries. The Central Institute of Buddhist Studies is here with a specialist library. Past the Tibetan Refugee Camps, Childern's village and the Arts and Crafts Centre, the Choglamsar Bridge crosses the Indus. 

According to one theory the name Choglamsar means "the place where path turns" because at this point the road Leh Manali highway leaves the valley of the Indus which it followed to head north towards the city of Leh.   

Stok 

13 km S of Leh on the W bank is the royal palace dating from the 1840s when the king of Ladakh was deposed by the invading Dogra forces. 

The palace is a rambling building where only a dozen of the 80 rooms are used. The small Palace Museum is worth visiting. It is a showpiece for the royal thangkas many 400 years old, crown, jewels, dresses, coins, peraks encrusted with turquoise and lapis lazuli as well as religious objects. 

There is an archery contest here. The gompa a short distance away, has some ritual dance maskes. The three hour walk up the valley behind Stok takes you to some extraordinary mountain scenery domonated by the 6121m high Stok Kangri. 

Shey 

Until the 16th century, Shey was the royal residence, located at an important vantage point in the Indus Valley. Kings of Leh were supposed to be born in the monastery. Shey, along with Thikse, is also regarded as an auspicious place for cremation. 

Most of the palace and the fort high above it have fallen into disrepair though the soot covered wall paintings in the palace have now been restored. The palace gompa with its 17.5m high blue haired Maitrey Buddha is attended by Drukpa monks from Hemis. 

Thikse 

It is one of the most imposing monasteries in Ladhak and was part of the original Gelugpa order in the 15th century. The complex of this monastery contains numerous stupas, statues, wall paintings, swords and a large pillar engraved with the Buddha's teachings.   

The new temple interior is dominated by a giant Buddha statue near the entrance. The assembly hall of the building has holes in the walls for storing religious text, good views from roof. 

Stakna 

Across the valley on a hill is the earliest Drukpa monastery which was built before Hemis, though its decorations are not ancient. It is also called 'Tigers nose' because of the shape of the hill site. This small but well kept monastery has a beautiful silver gilt chorten in the Assembly Hall. 

There are some intrersting paintings in the dark temple at the back. there are excellent views of the Indus Valley and the Zanskar range.   

Hemis 

This monastery built on a green hillside surrounded by spectacular mountain scenery. The Drukpa monastery was founded by Stagsang Raspa during the reign of Senge Namgyal. This monastery is situated in Hemis on the bank of river Indus. Hemis village is situated 40 km SE of Leh.   

In the above post we provide you little glimps about monasteries in places to visit in india, these monasteries are located near Manali / Leh highway in Himachal Pradesh.