Alchi Monastery - The wonder of India
Alchi (1020AD) - Marvel of Ladakh and Kashmir
Alchi represents the pinnacle of Trans-Himalayan art.
These magnificent wall paintings, dated between 11th – 13th century AD, are from Alchi monastery located 65 kms west of Leh. King Yeshe Od of Guge and famous scholar Rinchen Zangpo have built 108 monasteries in Tibetan region. Out of these 3 temples were believed to be created in one night – Sumda, Mangyu and Alchi.
The Sumtseg, a three storied building is one of the most outstanding artistic creations in Kashmir. It houses 3 colossal statues of Bodhisattvas. The sculpture of Avalokiteshwara stands 4m high and his dhoti is filled with miniature paintings of palaces, temples and royal life. The Alchi murals combine the best of Kashmiri and Tibetian art and provide a rare glimpse of the peaceful coexistence of Buddhism and Shaivaism traditions in Kashmir. It is remarkable that the stone colors used don’t show any sign of fading and glows even after 1000 years.
The tallest sculpture of Maitreya stands 5m tall and his dhoti is depicted with 50 roundels showing various episodes of Buddha Shakyamuni. The important paintings show the birth of Price Siddhartha at Lumbini gardens, the young prince undergoing penance, attaining enlightenment at Bodh Gaya, preaching to 5 companions at Sarnath and images of Akshobhaya Buddha. They are breathtakingly beautiful and real.
The third giant sculpture of orange hue is that of Manjushri. There are 84 mahasiddhas depicted on his dhoti in chequered squares. On the upper storey above the head of Manjushri is the painting of standing Tara with 8 hands. On the right hand wall of Sumtseg, there are 1000 miniature paintings of Manjushri painted in 5 colours. The central icon is the 4-armed golden Manjushri holding a sword and a book decorated with intricate gold work.
This iconic painting of the Lady of Alchi is that of Shyama Tara seated in a sun disc. Note this style of painting where the almond shaped eyes is projected beyond the outline of the face, a style perfected earlier in Ellora and Ajanta.
Alchi represents the pinnacle of trans-Himalayan art where beauty and divinity reaches the exquisite levels of Ajanta and South Indian Temples.
What differentiates Alchi from other imposing hill top monasteries in Ladakh is that it is small and built in the valley with flat roofs. It’s status as a backwater possibly saved it from being destroyed in the many Mughal and Dogra wars.
The cold dry desert of Ladakh has helped preserve the beautiful paintings. However recent rains resulting from climate changes are causing massive destruction to the mud walls & wooden ceilings. Negligence arising out of infighting between monks and ASI is preventing proper restoration work.
Visit Alchi before it is too late and lost forever in the wheels of time.
How to reach - Alchi can be reached from Leh (66Kms) or Srinagar - Kargil (383Kms). Stay near Alchi or Lamayaru and plan a visit to Alchi and Likir Monasteries.
You can watch the beauty of Tabo Monastery here -
Alchi Monastery/Gompa - Oldest Buddhist Monastery @ Ladakh
Alchi Monastery or Alchi Gompa is a Buddhist monastery, known more as a monastic complex (chos-'khor) of temples in Alchi village in the Leh District, of the Indian state under the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council of Jammu and Kashmir. The complex comprises four separate settlements in the Alchi village in the lower Ladakh region with monuments dated to different periods. Of these four hamlets, Alchi monastery is said to be the oldest and most famous. It is administered by the Likir Monastery.[1][2][3]
Alchi is also part of the three villages (all in lower Ladakh region) which constitute the ‘Alchi group of monuments’; the other two villages adjoining Alchi are the Mangyu and Sumda Chun. The monuments in these three villages are stated to be of “unique style and workmanship’, but the Alchi monastic complex is the best known.[1][2]
The monastery complex was built, according to local tradition, by the great translator Guru Rinchen Zangpo between 958 and 1055. However, inscriptions in the preserved monuments ascribe it to a Tibetan noble called Kal-dan Shes-rab later in the 11th century.[2][4] Dukhang or Assembly Hall and the Main Temple (gTsug-lag-khang), which is a three-storied temple called the Sumtseg (gSum-brtsegs), are built in Kashmiri style as seen in many monasteries; the third temple is called the Manjushri Temple ('Jam-dpal lHa-khang). Chortens are also an important part of the complex.[1][2]
The artistic and spiritual details of both Buddhism and the Hindu kings of that time in Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh are reflected in the wall paintings in the monastery. These are some of the oldest surviving paintings in Ladakh. The complex also has huge statues of the Buddha and elaborate wood carvings and art-work comparable to the baroque style.[2][5] Shakti Maira has vividly explained the beauty of this small monastery.[6]
Conservation Project - Sumda Chun, India
The monastery (gonpa) of Sumda Chun is one of the most important surviving early Tibetan Buddhist temples of the Ladakh region of northern India. Located at 12,700 feet above sea level in a remote part of the Himalayas, the site was listed on the 2006 World Monuments Watch to highlight the threats that are typical of most early period temples in Ladakh. Increased rainfall in the region has caused failures to the historic roofing systems originally built for an arid climate and thereby damaged the interior decorative features they shelter.
WMF provided funding and project management support to a four-year program with the preparation of a site survey; conditions mapping of the temple structure, wall paintings, and sculptures; provisional repairs to the leaking mud roof; and the preparation of a conservation plan to guide all future work. This video explains the work carried out in 2008, when the restoration of the roof and repairs of the vertical cracks in the exterior walls rendered the building watertight and structurally sound.
Learn more:
Monastères, temples, stupas et palais au Ladakh
Petit aperçu des monastères de Korzoc, de Matho, de Spituk, de Hémis, de Thiksey, de Takthok, de Chemrey, de Phyang, de Basgo, de Likir, de Lamayuru, de Rizong, du Palais royal de Stok, du Stupa de Shanti et du Temple d'Alchi.
GNH Travel & Service : Sumda Chun Gompa , Ladakh
リンチェンサンポ創建と言われているラダックの古刹スムダ・チュン。特別に許可をもらって内部の撮影をしてまいりました。
現在は写真撮影が禁止されています。貴重な動画ではないかと。
Mountain Homestays - Sumda-Chun Community Experience
Sumda-Chun homestay is located at an ancient village. The monastery here dates back to 11th century and has a unique architecture with Vairocana statue, and also many legends associated to it.
We are promoting the village to create local livelihood through tourism and preserve this community, their heritage & culture.
You can book a visit to Sumda-Chun here:
Buddhist Monastery of Leh Ladakh || Tibetan Gompa of Leh Ladakh || VagabonDipankar
Leh Ladakh is famous for old Tibetan Gompa or Buddhist Monastery. There are around 15 monasteries, i.e-
Hemis Monastery
Thiksey Monastery
Diskit Monastery
Likir Monastery
Spituk Monastery
Stakna Monastery
Alchi Monastery
Phyang Monastery
Takthok Monastery
Sumda Chun Monastery
Lamayuru Monastery
Phugtal Monastery
Shey Monastery
Rizong Monastery
However, we've visited only 4-5 monasteries out of these. Still I'm enough confident that you would be liking this video. Please watch and enjoy!
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#BuddhistMonasteryofLehLadakh
#TibetanGompaofLehLadakh
#HemisThikseMonastery
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Final stages in the restoration of a 500 year old Buddha above Hundar (Ladakh, India)
The final painting in the restoration of a monumental statue of Buddha and two disciples in a building on the mountain above Hundar in the Nubra valley (Ladakh, India).
Video © David A. Tepfer (2013)
Inde Monastères du Ladakh
Monastères de la Haute Vallée de l'Indus au Ladakh : Leh - Hemis - Thiksey - Shey - Matho - Stakna - Spituk - Phyang - Bago - Alchi - Rizong - Lamayuru
All Ladakh Gonpa Association Top #5 Facts
3rd largest Ladakh rPal rNam Duston celebrated with traditional fervor in Leh
Leh (Jammu and Kashmir), Oct 20 (ANI): The third largest Ladakh rPal rNam Duston 2018 was celebrated with gaiety and traditional fervour at Thiksay Monastery in Leh on Friday. The programme started with an introductory function at historic Leh palace where Dorje Motup, Chief Executive Councilor (CEC) of Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC), in his address to the people said that this year’s festival is celebrated to pay tribute to Lotsawa Rinchen Zangpo and his immense contributions in the making of glorious Ladakh with rich culture, religion, art, script and language. The main function began at Thiksay Monastery with the arrival of portrait of Lotsawa Rinchen Zangpo from Leh palace. To mark the event, the people of Thiksay, Ranbirpura, Stakmo, Nang and Shey presented a scintillating cultural show. Ladakh rPal rNam Duston 2018 is also celebrated at Alchi, Sumda Chun and Mangyu villages, where the imprints of the great works of Lama Lotsawa Rinchen Zangpo are still well intact even after 1000 years. The villagers especially the elders of these villages enthusiastically celebrated this event as a mark of their achievement in preserving the remarkable works of Zangpo for future generations. Religious masters on this occasion highlighted the life and contributions of Zangpo and also threw light on the importance of conserving these glorious works.
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Monasters1
Cette version corrigée de la première partie de la visites de quelques monastères parmi les plus représentatifs du Ladakh nous permet de découvrir successivement Alchi, puis Likir et Phyang tous situés à l'ouest de Leh.
Nous bénéficions d'un événement exceptionnel avec la visite des trois rinpoche du Ladakh lors de notre présence à Likir, un document exclusif à ne pas manquer.
Visit Turtuk
Salah 1 Desa Termuda di India adalah Turtuk, Desa Yang Berbatasan Langsung dengan Paskistan, sebelumnya @turtuk adalah Milik Pakistan,
Desa yang masih kental dengan Budaya India, Mongolia, Tibet, Perpaduan India, China, dan Tibet, Penduduk yang sangat ramah, hamparan pegunungan Himalaya yang membentang, dan Hijaunya Pohon dan Perekbunan Warga Membuat Desa ini bagaikan Surga yang berada di Dunia
@turtuk_thehiddenheaven
@turtuk_ladakh_advanture
@turtuk_ladakh_advanture
#turtukvillage #turtuk #visitturtuk #nubravalley???? #leh #ladakh_lovers #ladhakdiaries #ladhaktrip #ladhakh #kasmir #india_gram #indiatravel #india_ig #indiapictures #indiatravelgram #india_everyday #india????????❤️
[Wikipedia] Hundar, Leh
Hundar is a village in the Leh district of Jammu and Kashmir, India. It is located in the Nubra tehsil, on the bank of Shyok River. The Hunder Monastery is located here.
Hundar was once the capital of former Nubra kingdom. There are several ruined buildings, including the ruins of the King's palace, the Langchen Khar (Elephant Palace). There is a fort at the top of the hill, called Gula. Hundar also has two Buddhist temples: white temple (Lhakhang Karpo) and the red temple (Lhakhang Marpo). Between Hundar and Diskit lie sand dunes.
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Inside Karsha Monastery
muz.: Koyaanisqatsi O.S.T.
Stakna gompa in Ladakh
Stakna gompa in Ladakh.
The chronicles of 100
A short chronic about our first trek in Ladakh from Alchi to Alchi (Alchi - Stakspi La - Sumda Chun - Sumda Chenmo - Kungski La - Hinju - Ursi - Tar La - Tar - Hipti La - Mangyu La - Mangyu - Alchi)
Music by: Paul Mottram - Storm Evolution
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