Stakna Gompa, A splendid structure on a 60 meters high isolated rock and in backdrop stok mountain range. One of the most accessible monastery and its another eye-catching monastery located 25 km away from Leh. This monastery is a visual display of the religious and cultural heritage of India and Buddhism.
The monastery; built by a great scholar and Buddhist follower Chosje Jamyang Palkar in the year 1580, is a treasure of Buddhist scholarly teachings, artifacts and paintings. The Gompa is constructed by Drukpa sect of Tibetan Buddhism.
The name Stakna, literally meaning 'Tiger's Nose' was given because it was built on a hill shaped like a tiger's nose.
I'm lucky enough to capture all moods of this Gompa in different seasons in last decade of travel in Ladakh. The monastery inside has the image of Arya Avaloketesvara from Kamrup (Assam). The Stakna Gompa belongs to the Dugpa sect of Buddhism and is the residence of about 30 Monks.
On entering the courtyard, there is a big assembly hall known as Dukhang whose walls are adorned with beautiful paintings of Sakyamuni, Tsephakmad and Amchi. On to the right of courtyard, there is a seven feet tall silver gilded chorten having figure of Lord Buddha with some notes. Then parallel to the hall there are paintings of Bodhisattva, Tshong-san-Gompa and Padma Sambhava. The successive reincarnations of Stakna Tulku serve as the incumbents of Stakna Monastery and they spread the teachings of Dugpa order. This monastery also has a number of sister monasteries, 3 of which are in Zanskar-Bardan, Stakrimo and Sani.
This set of pictures show how this place looks like in different seasons and time.
Evening View of Monastery, Sun is ready to say bye bye.
Monrning view of Monastery during summer months, river Indus is mudty colour and lush green outfiled is creating magicial view with blue sky.
Its time for sun to take rest and his last rays are shineing up monastery in late evening hours on other side and creating shadow for beautigul view.
Morning time, Sun is blessing on monastery and Stoke range is smiling in backdrop
Its time for sun to take rest and his last rays are shineing up monastery in late evening hours.
Summer is lush green, fields are full of barley and even birds don't forget to sing summer songs.
Approch Bridge over Indus river to Monastery, Prayer flags always flapp throughout year to pass on good wishes from Lord Buddha.
Winter view of monastery, Indus river is semi frozen and trees are turned into brown. White Snow, Brow tree and Blue Cloudy sky makes it completely different then summer months.
Winter view of monastery, Indus river is semi frozen and trees are turned into brown. White Snow, Brow tree and Blue Cloudy sky makes it completely different then summer months.
Summer is lush green, fields are full of barley and back side of road gives complete different view of monastery with mountains in backdrop.
