LAMAYURU MONASTERY

One of the most important in the region, Lamayuru is an ancient monastery and is the main seat of the Drikung Kagyu tradition of Buddhism in the lower part of Ladakh in Jammu and Kashmir. There are more than 50 monasteries under this great monastery and about 300 monks are registered under its administration. Legend says this region was submerged under a lake infested with snakes during Buddha's era. Rising prominently from the eastern part of the lake was a little hill, which was locally called Skambur. It is said that Arahat Madhyantika, the Buddhist follower who is said to have spread Buddhism in this region during Mauryan king Ashoka's time, visited the lake and made water offerings to the snakes. Later, in the 11th century, monk Naropa visited the area and made it even more sacred by meditating in a cave here. It is said the cave still exists inside the Lamayuru monastery. In 1038, the great translator of Buddhist scriptures Rinchen Zangpo built five temples at Lamayuru. These were among the 108 temples and stupas he erected in Spiti and Ladakh. One of the five temples at Lamayuru is still in perfect condition. In the 16th century, when Denma Kunga Drakpa came to Ladakh, he realised the sacred importance of this area and established a monastery and named it Yungdrung. Lamayuru also has a well-established retreat centre. Set against a stunning backdrop of the Himalayas, it's popular among tourists for it moon-like landscape.  Leh town is around 114 km away.