Takthok Monastery, Ladakh

Takthok Monastery is situated in a small village called Sakti, which lies 46 Km east of Leh. Takthok means ‘rock-roof’ and the roof as well as walls of the monastery are made up of rocks. Takthok belongs to the Nying-ma-pa sect of Buddhism is also known as the “Old Order”. Fifty five lamas reside in this Monastery. The annual celebrations are held on the 9th and 10th day of the sixth month of the Tibetan calendar at Takthok Monastery.

The main assembly hall called the Dukhang located on the right of the central courtyard has murals of deities painted on the walls of the verandah that are displayed only at the time of the annual festival. There is a throne inside the assembly hall reserved for the Dalai Lama and the wall left to the throne is painted with the sketch of Padmasambhava and paintings of Sakyamuni. Statues of Maitreya, the Buddha or Buddha of Compassion, idols of Padmasambhava and Dorje are in Dukhang. In Takthok Monastery, 108 volumes of Buddha’s teachings called the Kandshur are also there.

Tourist Attractions in Takthok Monastery

There are plenty of attractions that you can enjoy at Takthok monastery, including exploring the caves. The most popular thing that draws in tourists is the 108 volumes that the library holds from the teachings of Buddha, which are called Kanjur. There is also a new temple that was dedicated during 1980 by the 14th Dalai Lama. There is also a Padmasambhava based mural that is close to the throne along with another painting on the left side of Sakyamuni. There is also a cave chapel that is very popular along with another small cave that is believed to be the location that Padmasambhava resided as well as meditated for 3 years.

Not only can you explore the various caves, but you can also trek around the mountains that are nearby and enjoy the great view. There are also festivals that are popular and bring in plenty of tourists during the year and the cave kitchen is put into use at this time as well.

Best Time to Visit Takthok Monastery

If you want to enjoy some of the festivals in the area, then you need to visit during the summer time, which is when the festival was shifted to for the tourists. The festival occurs on the 9th and 10th days of the Tibetan calendar’s 6th month and sacred dances are seen at this time. If you are interested in experiencing the culture of the area, then this is the perfect time, but there are plenty of other times when you can come as well. The summer is an ideal time to visit the area since there is longer day light and you will be able to experience the caves in their full form. The monsoons are not the best time to visit due to the rains, so make sure to plan your trip accordingly since the caves can flood.

How to Reach Takthok Monastery

Since this monastery is only 46 kilometers from Leh the best way to get here is to first reach Leh. You can reach Leh by taking a flight, bus or train to the city and then you can get to the monastery by car. You can rent a vehicle or bring your own personal one, if you have driven to the area. Make sure that if you are renting a vehicle that you have one that knows the roads and that can take you there and back without any problems. If you want, you can also book a tour to Ladakh that will be able to bring you to the monastery and other nearby locations.