Sankar Monastery (Sankar Gompa) is a small but beautiful Buddhist monastery located about 3 km from Leh town in Ladakh, India. It is one of the most peaceful monasteries near Leh and belongs to the Gelug (Yellow Hat) sect of Tibetan Buddhism.

Key Facts

• Location: Sankar village, near Leh

• Founded: Around the 19th century

• Affiliation: Branch of Spituk Monastery

• Sect: Gelugpa (same sect as Tsongkhapa)

• Distance from Leh: ~10 minutes by car

Main Attractions

• Avalokiteshvara Statue: A large 11-headed, 1000-armed statue of Avalokiteshvara inside the monastery.

• Prayer Hall (Dukhang): Beautiful wall paintings and Buddhist scriptures.

• Golden Buddha statue and traditional thangka paintings.

• Panoramic view of Leh town from the monastery.