The monastery belongs to the red hat sect of Buddhism and has around 50 monks residing in its premises. The belongings of the temple include hundereds of wooden and bronze statues of Buddhist gods and goddesses. This monastery is also home to the biggest thangkas, one of which is no less than five storey high.
The Phyang Museum is yet another attractions of the monastery. It showcases a wonderful collection of Chinese, Tibetan and Mongolian fire arms and weapons.
A little distance away from the monastery, Phyang Lake forms a different kind of attraction for visiting tourists.
Festival
The famous Phyang festival, , known as the 'Phyang Tseruk', is held during the month of July/August. The festival, like other monastic festival of Ladakh, has the sacred Chham dance as a huge attractions. However, more than this what attract devotees is a pilgrimage to the huge Thangka of Skyabje Jigten Gombo which is displayed during two day festival. In 2007, the festival will be celebrated on July 16 and 17.
With a population that is majorily Buddhist, Leh Ladakh is an important destination for Buddhist all around the country and even outside. Almost all the major monasteries are located along the two routes. The first route leads upto the monasteries of Shey, Thiksey, Stakna, Matto, Chembray, Taktok and Hemis. On the other hand the second route has Spituk, Phyang, Likir, Alchi, Ridzong and Lamayuru lying in between.
Other Attractions
- Sankar Gompa : Located at a convenient distance of 2 km from
the town of Leh, Sankar Gompa is associated with the Gelukspa school of
Tibetan Buddhism. The prime highlight of this gompa is a magnificent
image of Avalokiteshvara who is considered the Buddhist deity of
compassion. He is depicted with 1,000 heads and 1,000 arms. Also in
possession of the gompa are a number of gold icons, a miniature statue
of pure gold and beautiful paintings. The gompa is a branch of Spituk
monastery.
- Diskit Monastery : A major branch of the Thiksey monastery, Deskit was established by Lama Shesrab Zangpo of Stod in the first half of the 15th century. The monastery with a population of around 100 monks celebrates its annual festival called Gustor on the 20th and 29th of the 12th month of Tibetan Calander.
How to Reach
By Air - The closest airport is at Leh. Flights
from here link the place to Delhi, Chandigarh and Srinagar.
By Road - By road, Leh is reachable by two routes. The first one Srinagar to Leh route is open from June to October. Deluxe as well as ordinary buses run by the Jammu and Kashmir State Road Transport Corporation ply on this route.
The other route Manali- Leh highway is open between the months of June to September. Buses on this route are run by Himachal Pradesh tourism, HRTC and Manali private bus union. From Manali, it takes around 2 days to reach Leh by road. Night halts are at Sarchu and Darcha.
By Road - By road, Leh is reachable by two routes. The first one Srinagar to Leh route is open from June to October. Deluxe as well as ordinary buses run by the Jammu and Kashmir State Road Transport Corporation ply on this route.
The other route Manali- Leh highway is open between the months of June to September. Buses on this route are run by Himachal Pradesh tourism, HRTC and Manali private bus union. From Manali, it takes around 2 days to reach Leh by road. Night halts are at Sarchu and Darcha.
