About Alchi Monastery

Resting in the lap of the breathtakingly beautiful Ladakh, the Alchi monastery is one of the most sacred and holy places in the entire world. It was constructed by legendary Guru Rinchen Zangpo between the era of 958 and 1055 AD. Devotees from all across the globe swarm here in search of eternal peace. Revered all over the world as the oldest Buddhist Learning centre in North India, this is definitely a must-visit for all travellers.

What makes it stand out from other Buddhist monuments are the mesmerising carvings on the walls. The complex of the monastery consists of several chortens and temples that belong to different periods of time. The oldest wall paintings of Ladakh have also been well preserved in this monastery. It has also attracted the film fraternity as numerous movies have been shot here like Dil Se and Tashan. Numerous restaurants, tea stalls, souvenir shops and shacks are located near the monastery to promote tourism.

History of the Alchi Monastery

Alchi Monastery has a rich historical significance due to which it is greatly valued even today. It was built between 958 and 1055 AD. According to popular tales, King Yeshe Of Guge wanted to spread Buddhism in the Himalayan region.

Therefore, he appointed twenty-one scholars for the same. However, harsh weather conditions led to most of them collapsing before they reached the heights of the Himalayas, and only two scholars including Rinchen Zangpo survived. It is said that these two actually established 108 monasteries in the region, but only a few, including Alchi, have survived till today.

Architecture of Alchi Monastery

The architecture of Alchi Monastery is of Tibetan style. The monastery complex has three major shrines - the Dukhang (Assembly hall), the Sumtsek and the Temple of Manjushri. There are also chortens in the complex.
Wall paintings are the major attractions here as they depict details of both Buddhist style and Kashmiri style. The complex houses a huge statue of the Buddha and lavish wood carvings and artwork, similar to baroque style.

Major Highlights of Alchi Monastery

Dukhang :- This is from where one enters the Manjushri temple and monks performs worship and ceremonies. Classic architecture of the temple is made of original wooden door frame and it is still retained. Later in 12th and 13th century, some additions were made too. Landmark of Dukhang is the Wheel of Life and Mahakal.

Sumtseg :- The most outstanding feature of the Alchi Monastery, Sumtseg is made of loam and natural stone. The vintage woodwork and paintings in the interior of the monastery were made by Kashmiri artists. Original structure of monastery's this part was built in the early 13th century. Further adding to its beauty are textile prints depicting Buddha’s life.

Manjushri Temple :- In comparison to the Sumtseg and Sumda Assembly hall, Manjushri Temple alias Jampe Lhakhang dates to around 1225 AD. Like Sumtseg, here too one there are paintings but they're unrefined. The temple to its left - Lhotsava or Lotsawa temple to its left side is a later addition.

Traveller's Tips for Visiting Alchi Monastery

If you are planning an amazing trip to Alchi Monastery, make sure to keep a few things in mind-

1. Wear comfortable shoes that can offer you maximum comfort to travel in the high altitude region.

2. Plan for at least a one or two hours of stop at the monastery if you want to experience it properly.

3. The peace and serenity are what makes it a monastery- do not disturb it by talking too loudly.

4. Remember that photography is not allowed inside the monastery.

5. Do not carry any intoxicating substances or food inside the monastery.

Other Essential Information About Alchi Monastery

Here are some of the important information that you can follow for a memorable trip to Alchi Monastery.

Mobile Connectivity :- If you are planning to visit Alchi monastery, check for mobile connectivity in advance since the high altitude does not guarantee good phone reception. Though most of Ladakh has Airtel and BSNL network, at Alchi Monastery only BSNL and Reliance Jio networks work.

Medical Facilities :- The nearest medical health care centre is located one and a half-hour away in Leh called 'Sonam Norbu Memorial Hospital'. Although, it is important to get a general health check-up before going to Alchi Monastery. Make sure to carry basic medicines with you, as the combination of high altitude and no medical facilities nearby might make it tough in an emergency.

Visiting Timings

10:00 am – 01:00 pm

02:00 pm – 06:00 pm

Open all days

Best Time to Visit Alchi Monastery

The best time to visit Alchi monastery is during the festivals held in gompa like Chotrul Duchen, Dajyur, Galdan Namchot, Losar, Monlam and Sho Dun.

How to Reach Alchi Monastery

There are many ways in which you can easily reach Alchi Monastery with a little planning-

By Air :- The nearest airport to Alchi Monastery is located in Leh, where flights land regularly. Once you reach Leh, you will have to take a taxi or hire a jeep to go to Alchi by road.

By Road :- Travelling the distance between Alchi Monastery and Leh by road is the most feasible option. The road remains closed between November and April, so avoid going during that time.

By Rail :- Rail travel is not possible in Ladakh due to its high altitude. The nearest railway station is in Jammu & Kashmir.