India

Alchi monastery

About 67 km from Leh, a small village called Alchi is home to one of the oldest monasteries in the Ladakh region. Standing on the banks of the Indus, the Alchi Monastery or Alchi Gompa is the ideal base for travelers looking for a new adventure.

History

The foundation date of the monastery has not been clearly confirmed until now, as the complex consists of many buildings. However, most people believe that the famous Buddhist and translator Rinchen Zangpo, passing through the region in the 10th century, would be at the origin of the creation of monasteries. Due to his efforts, several other monasteries were built in Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim and neighboring areas. These monasteries are supposed to belong to the Vajrayana sect having being converted into Tibetan Buddhism. Under the authority of Rinchen Zangpo, many works of art were produced by the artists of Kashmir. Studies and worship in the monastery of Alchi Choksor collapsed little by little over the years. Faced with this situation, the site was placed under the control of the administration of the neighboring monasteries until the 15th century. Now days, the monument is managed by the monks of the Likir monastery.

Today

Alchi is nestled on the banks of the mighty Indus River and is today a tourist destination for boaters interested in history, Buddhist culture and Ladakh. Alchi is considered one of the most important Buddhist centers in Ladakh. The monastery of Alchi dates back almost a thousand years and the Tibetan influence is felt in the local culture. The entire complex consists of three parts: the Dukhang or the Assembly Hall, the Manjushri Temple and the Sumtseg. Dukhang is in the center of the complex and has been used for centuries by monks to receive ceremonies. In the hall of the Dukhang you will see cloisters beautifully decorated with wall paintings bearing the effigy of the Buddha, a large sculpture of the Avalokitesvara with eleven apples, walls painted with elaborate mandalas, and so on. Canvases depicting secular life scenes are visible on either side of the main entrance. The Alchi Sumtseg is a three-storey building constructed of natural stone. The monument is breathtaking with its traditional Tibetan architecture. Built around the monastery complex, the small market town of Alchi offers Tibetan handicrafts. Tourists will be able to buy some items as souvenirs for travel. However, negotiation will be a skill to practice when shopping at the market. As far as gastronomy is concerned, Alchi has many restaurants where you can taste tasty Tibetan, Indian, Chinese and Continental dishes. The menu includes vegetarian and non-vegetarian meals. As for drinks, milkshakes and momos are popular drinks in the village.

Best time to visit

The best time to visit the village of Alchi is during the summer months, from mid-May to mid-September. Before traveling to Alchi, it is advisable to wear light wool even during the summer months, as the temperature at night falls well below 10 ° C.

How to get there ?

There are many ways to get to the village of Alchi from the town of Leh. The first option is to rent a private taxi or bike. Along the way you can enjoy the beautiful exotic landscape, with undulating terrain, meadows, fields, snow-capped mountains, as well as the sumptuously fluid Zanskar and Indus rivers. The second option is to take the bus to Leh to Kargil, then stop at the bridge where the road turns off. From this point, you continue on foot to the village.

Time and Entrance fee

The monastery opens all days of the week from 08:00 to 18:00. Entrance fees are as follows: • For foreigners: 50 Rs per person • For Indians: Rs 25 per person Photography is prohibited because the flash of the camera could damage the old images and paintings on the walls.

what to do ?

• Visit the monastery of Alchi • Walk around village markets and buy some local products • Increase awareness of people and their culture • Meet the monks of the temple