About Thiksey Monastery Ladakh

Noted for its resemblance to the Potala Palace in Tibet, Thiksey Monastery is the largest gompa in central Ladakh and a must-see place near Leh. One of the main attractions of Thiksey Monastery is the Maitreya Temple which was installed to commemorate the visit of the 14th Dalai Lama to this monastery in 1970. The temple has a 15m tall statue of Maitreya Buddha, which is the largest statue in Ladakh covering two-storeys of the building.

Thiksey Monastery belongs to the Gelug or Yelloe Hat sect of Tibetan Buddhist. It is also known for its annual Gustor Festival held in the month of October/November in which a trade fair is held at the base of the monastery wherevillagers from all over Ladakh come to barter and trade items and socialize.

The history of Thiksey Monastery states that the gompa is a 15th century structure. In 1433, Jangsem Sherab Zangpo, the disciple of Tsongkhapa (the founder of the Gelug sect of Tibetan Buddism), founded a small village monastery called Lhakhang Serpo “Yellow Temple” in Stagmo, north of the Indus.

Later, in the mid-15th Century Palden Zangpo built a larger monastery a few kilometres away from Stagmo, on a sacred hill above a village of the same name. This monastery is what we now know as Thiksey Gompa.The architecture of Thiksey Monastery resembles greatly to the Potala Palace in Tibet. The building of the complex are arranged in an ascending order of importance and are well spaced. The foot of the hill has the dwelling units and at the atop of the hill is the monastery and potang (official residence) of the chief lama. The highest level of the monastery has a stupa (chorten).

Highlights of Thiksey Monastery

Maitreya Buddha:

Thiksey Monastery in Ladakh is renowned for its magnificent 15‑meter (49‑foot) statue of Maitreya Buddha, built in the 1980s, which is the largest of its kind in Ladakh. This statue is the centerpiece of the monastery and symbolizes the future Buddha who is prophesied to appear on earth

Assembly Hall:

The assembly hall at Thiksey Monastery, known as the Dukhang or White Assembly Hall, is one of its most important structures. It houses murals of Shakyamuni Buddha, Maitreya, and other deities, and serves as the central space for prayers, rituals, and monastic gatherings.

Tara temple:

Thiksey Monastery in Ladakh does not have a specific “Tara Temple,” but it houses several shrines dedicated to different Buddhist deities, including Tara. The most famous temple inside the monastery is the Maitreya Temple, which contains a massive 15-meter statue of Maitreya BuddhaGonkhang temple:

Gonkhang at Thiksey Monastery is the temple dedicated to the protective deities of Tibetan Buddhism, located within the famous Thiksey Monastery near Leh, Ladakh. It is considered one of the most sacred spaces inside the monastery, usually restricted to monks and special rituals.

Gustor Festival:

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• Thiksay Gustor is a vibrant two-day monastic festival held at Thiksey Monastery in Ladakh, celebrated with sacred rituals, masked dances, and ceremonies symbolizing the triumph of good over evil. In 2026, it will take place on October 28–29
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Best Time to Visit Thiksey Monastery

The best time to visit Thiksey Monastery is during the Gustor Festival in the month of October/November. During the festival, one can witness the traditional Cham Dance.

How to Reach Thiksey Monastery?

The best way to reach Thiksey Gompa is by hiring car or renting a bike from Leh, which is around 19 km away.