Monasteries of Ladakh

Monasteries of Ladakh

Ladakh is famous all over the world for its Monasteries and Gompas. Since the advent of Buddhism perhaps around 100 AD or so a number of Monasteries and Gompas have been built here. These Gompas are not only great religious centres of Ladakh but they are great centres of culture as well. Ladakh Cultural life seems to revolve round the holy precints of these monasteries. The fame of these Gompas has spread far and wide. They command a unique architectural style which is so peculier to Ladakh given its local ecology and building material available. These Gompas not only preserve the rich cultural traditions like the masked dance of Buddhist Monks but have been repositories of a great painting school which has been influenced by Kashmir. The scrolls Thankas, and mural paintings of these Gompas are a treat to watch. No wonder that the largest Gompa of Ladakh-Hemis has been listed as a world heritage site by UNESCO