DAY 2: SPITUK GOMPA, Leh, Ladakh, India
After lunch at Tibetan Kitchen, we decided to do a short excursion to a nearby monastery. At the taxi stand near the bazaar, we hired a taxi driver to do the 15-minute drive to Spituk Gompa just right by the airport. Founded in the late 14th century, Spituk Gompa (literally translates as Exemplary Monastery) is a small lamasery belonged to the Yellow Hat sect under the order of Tsongkhapa. Erected atop a hill by the end of airport runway, Spituk Gompa offered us another lookout of the magnificent scenery of the Indus River Valley and the city of Leh. Upon arrival, we were greeted by posters with quotes by the 14th Dalai Lama and a few dogs lying on the entry path in the shade of the gateway.
After the entry route of prayer wheels, we walked up a series of winding steps to the central courtyard where festivals and events were usually held. The focal point of the courtyard was the gilt-roofed pavilion tower, and a main prayer hall in which a yellow-hatted statue of Tsongkhapa could be found. Active in late 14th century and early 15th century, Tsongkhapa was a well known Tibetan Buddhist teacher who founded the Gelug School of Buddhism (also known as the Yellow Hat Sect).
Accessed via a flight of steps, at the top of the monastery mount stood a few stone carvings and Palden Lamo Temple, a small shrine dedicated to a group of Hindu deities. The hill wasn’t really high, but it was still an effort for us to climb the stairs as our body was still acclimatizing to the high altitude. The shrine was quite popular among domestic visitors who came from all over India. Photography was not allowed inside the shrine. We stayed for a few minutes looking at the wall paintings, religious statues, and praying worshipers.
Rising above the airport runway was the hill of Spituk Gompa.
Outdoor cafe with magnificent views at the monastery entrance.
Main gateway of Spituk Gompa.
Dogs lying in the shade of the entry gateway.
Large prayer wheel near the main entrance.
Closeup of large prayer wheel.
White wash walls, wooden windows, and colourful awning are common at a Tibetan lamasery.
Above the main courtyard stood the gilded roof pavilion tower.
Unfortunately some of the halls were locked.
Wall painting of one of the four Buddhist guardians.
Closeup of the gilded-roof.
Candle holders by a window sill.
Closeup of a window shade.
Stairs going up to a series of lama rooms and small prayer halls.
Wash basin with a decent view.
Stair going up to Palden Lamo Temple.
Entrance of the Palden Lamo Temple, a small shrine of Hindu deities.
Last look of Spituk Gompa from the parking lot before heading back to Leh.
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Other posts on 2016 Ladkadh & Delhi:
Introduction – LADAKH – The Land of High Passes, India
Day 1.1 – ENROUTE TO LEH, Ladakh
Day 1.2 – WALK TO MAIN BAZAAR, Leh, Ladakh
Day 1.3 – LEH PALACE, Leh, Ladakh
Day 1.4 – HOTEL LADAKH GREENS, Leh, Ladakh
Day 2.1 – NAMGYAL TSEMO GOMPA, Leh, Ladakh
Day 2.2 – LALA’S CAFE AND TIBETAN CUISINE, Leh, Ladakh
Day 2.3 – SPITUK GOMPA, Leh, Ladakh
Day 3.1 – MONASTERIES OF THE INDUS VALLEY DAY ONE, Ladakh (with map)
Day 3.2 – THIKSEY GOMPA, Indus Valley, Ladakh
Day 3.3 – CHEMREY & TAKTHOK GOMPA, Indus Valley, Ladakh
Day 3.4 – HEMIS & STAKNA GOMPA, Indus Valley, Ladakh
Day 3.5 – MATHO GOMPA & SHEY PALACE, Indus Valley, Ladakh
Day 4.1 – ON THE ROAD WEST OF LEH, Indus Valley, Ladakh
Day 4.2 – LAMAYURU GOMPA, Indus Valley, Ladakh
Day 4.3 – ALCHI & LIKIR GOMPA, Indus Valley, Ladakh
Day 4.4 – FORT ROAD IN THE EVENING, Leh, Ladakh
Day 5.1 – SHORT HIKE NEAR PHYANG, Ladakh
Day 5.2 – PHYANG VILLAGE, Ladakh
Day 5.3 – NOMADIC WOOLLEN MILLS & BON APPETIT, Leh, Ladakh
Day 6.1 – ZINGCHEN GORGE, Ladakh
Day 6.2 – SHANTI STUPA, Leh, Ladakh
Day 7.1 – LEH AIRPORT TO RED FORT, Delhi
Day 7.2 – RED FORT, Delhi
Day 7.3 – JAMA MASJID, Delhi
Day 7.4 – FAREWELL OLD DELHI, Delhi
Day 7.5 – UNITED COFFEE HOUSE, New Delhi
Blue Lapis Road 