Lamayuru Monastery, also known as Yuru Monastery, is a Tibetan Buddhist monastery located in Lamayouro, Leh district, Ladakh, India. Here are some interesting facts about it:
History: Originally a Bon monastery, its name means “swastika,” a symbol of eternity in Bon culture. Lamayuru is now affiliated with the Drikung Kagyu school of Buddhism. According to tradition, the Indian scholar Naropa caused a lake to dry up, founding Lamayuru Monastery. The oldest surviving building, Seng-ge-sgang, is attributed to the builder-monk Rinchen Zangpo.
Location: Situated on the Srinagar - Leh highway, it’s 15 kilometers east of the Fotu La Pass at an altitude of 11,520 ft (3,510 m).
Size and Population: Lamayuru is one of the largest and oldest gompas in Ladakh, with around 150 permanent monks residing there. It once housed up to 400 monks.
Annual Festivals: Lamayuru hosts two masked dance festivals during the second and fifth months of the Tibetan lunar calendar. Monks from surrounding gompas gather to pray during these festivals.
Nearby: The Wanla Monastery is also located nearby.
Lamayuru Monastery, also known as Yuru Monastery, boasts a distinctive Tibetan-style architecture. Here are some key features:
White-Washed Walls: The monastery’s buildings have white-washed walls, creating a serene and timeless ambiance.
Red and Ochre-Colored Roofs: The roofs are adorned with red and ochre-colored wooden tiles, adding a vibrant touch to the landscape.
Circular Arrangement: The structures are arranged in a circular pattern, with a central courtyard where monks gather for various activities.
Thangkas and Relics: Inside the main hall, visitors can admire beautiful thangkas (embroidered silk paintings) and a rich collection of Buddhist relics.
Mountain Carvings: Caves and rooms are carved into the mountains, preserving Tibetan butter lamps and exquisite carpets.
5 сен 2024
