A typical character of the monasteries is that each monastery has a courtyard where main rituals in gathering are performed or yearly festivals are celebrated. The walls of stones which are inscribed with prayers and religious figures are called mani walls. On the outer walls one can notice the lines of ‘prayer wheels’. Prayer wheels are wood and metal cylinders with prayers written on the long pieces of paper inside. Every rotation of teach cylinder is equated to prayers written on the paper and are sent to Buddha. This is the reason that the pilgrimage keep on rotating the cylinders. There are also many Stupas (know as chortens). Stupas are are shrines containing relics of some religious significance. Small prayer wheels can also be bought as souvenirs in the shops. All religious instrument are sacred and are to be taken care with respect. Mostly inside the monasteries, the walls are decorated with paintings and thangkas and some of the monasteries also have a collection of precious manuscripts, many statues of Buddha as well as musical instruments and colorful masks which are used for ceremonies and at the time of festivals. Every monastery has many prayer flags on which prayers are written and they are fixed horizontal or vertical so that they have maximum exposure to wind and flatter at every blow of wind. The flags flattered by the wind - multiplied by the time prayers are written on them - are conveyed to Lord Buddha.

These flags also pay an important role for the outer decoration of a monastery and create the religious atmosphere. In Ladakh, monasteries are traditional centres of culture, religious activities as well as of power. Monasteries are also owe big lands. The Monasteries in Ladakh earlier depended only on the donations from the villagers. Now most of them are charging a small amount as entry fee which is used for the maintenance and restoration work. The visitor should keep in mind that they are not visiting a museum but a religious place. Visitors are expected to wear dresses that do not expose their body too much. Visitors should remove their shoes before entering the monastery and should not eat, drink or smoke. The mural, paintings and other religious objects and decorative parts should no be touched. One should photograph only if this is allowed as per the Guidelines (like avoid flashlights).

On the way from Kargil to Leh, you will visit the Lamayuru monastery, one of the mysterious and the oldest monastery of Ladakh. The Lamayuru monastery is situated about 10 kms from Leh, on a big rock overlooking the Indus River. It is believed that one of the great Tibetan teachers, Norapa, meditated here for several years. Like all other Ladakh monasteries, it is also a complex of buildings with shrines dedicated to different gods and incarnations of Lord Buddha. The complex, thought to be the oldest in the region, was founded in the 11th century and belongs to the Tibetan Kagyupa sect. It was party destroyed in the 19th century. Some of the murals, however, which are a combination of Indian and Tibetan styles have been preserved. The main hall of this monastery is very impressive and is

worth a visit. There are caves carved out of the mountain wall and some of the rooms are richly furnished with carpets, Tibetan tables and butter lamps.

The monastery of Hemis is situated on a green hill, surrounded by spectacular mountains. Hemis is situated around 45 kms in the south of Leh on the west bank of the Indus river. The Hemis monastery is the biggest monastery of Ladakh. It is not visible from the road as it is located in a side valley. The monastery is decorated on all the four sides by the colourful prayer flags which flutter in the breeze and send the prayers to Lord Buddha. The main building has white walls. The entrance to the complex is through a big gate which reaches to a big courtyard. During the festival time, the religious dances are performed in this courtyard. The stones of the walls are decorated and also painted with the religious figures. On the north side there are two assembly halls which are accessed by the stairs.

As in most of the monasteries one can see here also the guardian deities and the Wheel of Life. Both of them are in good condition. The Hemis monastery also has an important library of Tibetan styles books and a very impressive and valuable collection of thangkas. One of the largest thangkas is also displayed every 11 year during the festival time. Hemis can be visited from Leh comfortably in one day if one is traveling by car or jeep.

Hemis High Altitude National Park:
Hemis High Altitude National Park is another attraction in Hemis. The park covers 600 square km and contains some rare species of flora and fauna. Snow leopard, ibex, Bharal and Shapu are some of the rare and endangered species.

The Phyang monastery is located around 6 km away from the Srinagar-Leh highway and around 20 kms. from Leh, the capital of Ladakh. The Phyang Gompa (Monastery) is a traditional monastery of Ladakh and is famous for its spectacular religious festival with masked dances. This monastery being on the hilltop resembles quite like the monastery of Likir. The Phyang Monastery was built in the 16th century and belongs to the Red Cap sect. The festival of Phyang is called Tseruk' and falls on the 2nd and 3rd day of the 6th month of Tibetan Calendar. The Phyang Monastery was the first monastery, which introduced the Degungpa teaching of 'Skyob Jigsten Gonbo' in Ladakh. These teaching were introduced by Chosje Danma Kunga, during 16th century AD as King Jamyang Namgyal ruled. 

Another attraction of Phyang is the museum. This ancient 900 years old museum has a spectacular collection of Chinese, Tibetan and Mongolian articles including fire arms and weapons. After a recent renovation the monastery is worth visiting. Travellers can also make a visit to the Phyang lake just a few kilometers away.

Spituk is yet another interesting monastery, about 8 kms. from Leh on Srinagar road. The Spituk monastery offers a commanding view of Indus. It has a totally new Gompa within the monastery as well as the old Gompa has also been restored meanwhile. Higher up in the hill is a chamber which houses the enormous statue of goddess. Its face is covered and uncovered only once in a year during the festival time. The Spituk Gompa was founded in 11th century by Od-De the elder brother of Lha Lama Changchub-od, the Gompa named Spituk (which means exemplary). As the great Rinchen Zangpo translator came to this place and he predicted that exemplary religious community would rise. Initially the Gompa was run according to the Kadampa school then during the reign of

king Gragspa Bumide he converted it to Gayluk Pa order. Many icons of Buddha and 5 thangkas can be visited in this 15th century monastery. There is also a collection of ancient masks, antique arms, and an inspiring image of Mahakala. Every year, on the 17th and 19th day of the 11th of the Bodhi month, the Gelukpa order of monks celebrate the festival of Spituk known as Gustor. During the festival, the lamas wear the masks of religious deities and perform the dances, which is normally about good and evil and mythological stories related to the Buddhism.