In 1645, Deldon Namgyal erected the Shey Palace 15 km south of Leh, on a hillock. This palace served as the summer residence of the king of Ladakh. A decade later, in 1655, he laid the foundation of the Shey gompa in memory of his father, king Singye Namgyal just adjacent to the palace.

A library stocked with a number of books occupies the lower storey of the gompa. The walls here are adorned with murals of Buddha with different hand gestures - preaching, teaching, blessing and "earth witness".


The central courtyard is located on the second storey. On its right side a room houses a 12 m high statue of Buddha. The statue is made up of copper and gilded with gold. The statue of Buddha was installed at the time the gompa was built and remained the largest one untill Thiksey Monastery set up a 15 m high clay statue of Buddha.

A statue of Padmasambhava, with Dogzang Guru Limbune on either side, stands on the right side of Buddha. Right infront of Buddha a large bowl of wax with a central flame, representive of divinity and purity, continues to burn for complete one year before being replaced by another one. To the right side is the a statue of a blue horseman, Paldan Lamo and to the left is a statue of the red horseman of Chakmen, representing the king of Ladakh.

Murals on the walls depict the 16 Arhats (Worthy Ones who have achieved Nirvana), 8 on each side; two famous disciples of Buddha and Tsong-kha-pa, founder of the Yellow Hat sect of Buddhism.

Currently, only two lamas reside in the Shey gompa and are responsible for its upkeep.

Festival
The Stok Guru Tse-Chu festival is celebrated every year in the month of February- March. The festival has two Stok Oracles making predictions before the people, in a similar fashion followed by the oracles of Matho Monastery. However, the difference between the two lies in the fact that unlike the oracles of Matho, the Stok Oracles are laymen. It is the responsibility of the lamas of Spituk Monastery to prepare these oracles to receive the spirit of the deities. The Stok Guru Tse-Chu will next be celebrated on 25th and 26th of February 2007.


Leh
Leh is situated in the trans Himalayan eastern region of Jammu and Kashmir, right in the heart of the cold desert of Ladakh at an altitude of 3505m. The city, a huge tourists attraction, is dominated by the imposing nine storey Leh Palace which was constructed in the 17th century. Buddhist tourists have a lot to see and enjoy in and around Leh, given the fact that there are many monasteries worth visiting here.


Other Attractions

• Thiksey Monastery : Located at a distance of 17 km southeast of Leh is the Thiksey Monastery. The highlight of the monastery is the spanking new Maitreya temple housing the largest Buddha statue in the entire Ladakh region. The statue is not seated on a throne, as is usually the practice, rather it is in a lotus postion. Bright murals behind the walls depicting the life of Maitreya's life are the work of monks from the Lingshet monastery. The Thiksey Gustor is the monastic festival celebrated in the ninth month of Tibetan Buddhist calendar.
  
  
• Stok Palace & Monastery : 14 km southeast of Leh, Stok Palace is a four storey structred housing the Ladakhi royal family post their ouster from Leh and Shey. The museum here, along with royal relics, has on display thankas representing lifestyle of Shakyamuni. The Stok Gompa exhibits a number of masks worn during the dance dramas along with modern murals painted by the monks of Lingshet monastery. Buses run from Leh to Stok on regular basis.
  
  
• Spituk Monastery : Located 18 km from Leh, Spituk Monastery is perched atop a hillock. The prime attraction of this monastery is the chapel of Tara with 21 of her excellent sculpted images. Apart from this, you can also have a look at icons of Buddha, an awe inspiring image of Mahakal, five thankas, ancient masks and antique arms. The Spituk Gustor is celebrated every year in the month of January..