Ladakh is a barren but beautiful high altitude desert region located in the north Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. It lies between the Kunlun Mountains in the north and the Himalayas in the south, and borders with Tibet to the east.
The main religion in Ladakh is Buddhism, which is practiced in the many monasteries found throughout the region. The following images are of the monasteries (gompas) we visited during our recent trip in and around Leh.
Thiksey Monastery is the largest monastery in central Ladakh and is 18km from Leh in the Indus Valley.
The statue of Maitreya (Future) Buddha at Thiksey Monastery is 40ft high.
Hemis Monastery, built in 1630, is 45km from Leh and is India's wealthiest monastery.
Thousands of people worship in the sunshine during a religious ceremony at Hemis Monastery on 28th February 2016.
Likir Monastery is 52km west of Leh and was established in 1065. On the roof is a 75ft tall gilded gold statue of the Maitreya Buddha which was completed in 1999.
Basgo Monastery is 40km from Leh and was built in 1680.
Namagyal Tsemo Fort & Monastery high on the hill above Leh Palace.
LEH
Leh is a high desert city in the Himalayas at an altitude of 3,500m and is the capital of the Leh District in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. Leh Palace, built in the 17th century, overlooks the old town.
Namagyal Tsemo Fort & Monastery
The white-domed Shanti Stupa was built by Japanese Buddhist monks in 1991 to promote world peace. It stands high on a hilltop with panoramic views of Leh and the surrounding spectacular mountain scenery.
Images of the people of Leh.
