Spituk Monastery

An 11th-century monastery, Spituk Gompa or Pethup Gompa is known for its giant Kali statue that is revealed at the annual festival of Gustor. Spituk is at a short distance away from Leh and is one of the top places to see.

The monastery now comes under the Tsongkhapa order (Gelug or Yellow Hat) of Tibetan Buddhism and is home to 100 monks. On Spituk’s premises, there’s also a museum that has a wide collection of ancient masks, antique arms, other icons, and numerous thangkas (Buddhist paintings) making it an important attraction here.

History

The history of Spituk Monastery dates back to the 11th century when it was founded by Od-de, the elder brother of Lha Lama Changchub Od when he came to Maryul. It is said when Lotsewa Rinchen Zangpo (Translator) visited the place, he predicted that an ‘exemplary’ religious community would arise there and so the monastery was called spituk (exemplary). Founded as a Red Hat institution, Spituk Gompa was taken over by the Yellow Hat sect (Gelug/Tsongkhapa) in the 15th century.

Structure

There are three chapels in the gompa with numerous statues of Buddha and several thankas as well. The Dukhang Hall is the highlight and the two rows of seats running to a throne at the end are also something unique found here. Visitors will come across the beautiful sculptors and chortens.