Lamayuru Monastery is situated 127 Kms west of Leh. In the 11th, century the mahasiddha Naropa came to this place and the cave where he resided and meditated is still to be seen today. Then Rinchen Zangpo, the Translator came and built several temples and stupas and so the teaching of the Kadampa School came to flourish greatly there. Thereafter for many years the monastery was administered by the Zhwa-mar-pa (Red Hats), after which the Dharmaraja Jamyang Namgial offered it to Chosje Danma, whom he had invited to Ladakh. The rituals and observances of the Digung Kargyud School were introduced and the monastery received the name of Yundung Tharpaling. The successive reincarnation of Skyabsje Togldan Rinpoche acts as the incumbents of the monastery. Every year on the 17th, & 18th, day of the 5th, Tibetan month the monastic festival of the so-called (Yuru Kabgyad) is held during which dances are performed. During the festival all the shrines and Thangkas kept opened for the devotees.
Best Time to Visit Lamayuru
Lamayuru experiences summer from the month of May and last till September and is apt to experience the beauty of the place.
Lamayuru Weather
The temperature remains comfortable between 8°C to 21°C.
Few facts about Lamayuru
- Lamayuru is a small village in Ladakh, midway between Kargil and Leh on NH1-D, the Srinagar-Leh highway. Moonlike landscapes carved into the Greater Himalayas are its claim to fame.
- Located in the faraway land of Ladakh, Lamayuru Monastery is perhaps one of the most intriguing places that you can see. Considered to be one of the largest and oldest monasteries of Ladakh, it's also a place which has numerous stories and legends associated with it. Using a few of those, I built the story after my visit to Lamayuru, and I must confess right in the beginning that it's part legend, part fiction.
