Lamayuru Monastery

Lamayuru is a small village in Ladakh, midway between Kargil and Leh on NH1-D, the Srinagar-Leh highway. Moonlike landscapes carved into the Greater Himalayas are its claim to fame.

Lamayuru Monastery was founded in the 10th century which is located at a scenic spot at a distance around 125 kms. away in the west of Leh. Bewitching beauty of its spot has subjected this monastery to a legend.

It is believed that Lamayuru was originally a lake. Attracted by the beauty of the spot, a Lama blessed the lake. As a result, water of the lake proceeded up to the mountains vacating the spot on which the Lama intended to build the monastery.

Lamayuru is known for its monastery, and for its "lunar" landscape - quaintly promoted as a "Moonscape" for tourists. The landscape is certainly incredible with its spectacularly odd geological formations, though this is not unique to Lamayuru.

Lamayuru monastery is ancient, built into the 'moonscape'. It has some beautiful frescoes and frightening masks. Visitors can also see the glassed in meditation cave of the Lama Naropa. Lamayuru is a part of the Dri-Gungpa sector in western Ladakh

The best location to view the moonscapes of Lamayuru is to climb up what is known as a meditation hill. Monks from the Lamayuru gompa stay here, on the top of this meditation hill. They have a medical laboratory up here where the monks churn out medicines from the local herbs.

Entire complex of Lamayuru Monastery lies in ruins. Only the main hall of the Monastery is still intact. This hall has numerous tankhyas. Lamayuru also locates fascinating caves carved out of the mountainside. There is also a spot called Yung Drung on a high promontory overlooking the village and valley down. For its splendid spectacle, Lmayuru is the prime tourist attraction.

In this monastery, Yundrung Kabgyad festival is held during summer on the 28th and 29th days of the 2nd Tibetan month.