Established in the 16th century, the Stakna Monastery has a long-lasting legacy in Ladakh. The monastery’s position atop a hillock grants it access to some of the best views in the city. Home to a stunning array of paintings, murals, and statues the Gompa is also renowned for its excellent art and architecture. Explore this monastery with Ladakh packages for an unforgettable experience.
Stakna Monastery, popularly known as "Tiger's Nose Monastery," is around 25 kilometers from Leh's main city. The unique name is because of the monastery being built on a rock that looks like a tiger springing towards the sky.
Chosje Jamyang Palkar, a Bhutanese saint and scholar, established Stakna Monastery in the 16th century. The magnificent marble statue of Avalokitesvara, which the monk is believed to have carried to Leh all the way from Assam, stands in the center of the monastery. Today, the monastery is home to about 30 monks from the Dugpa order.
Stakna Gompa is renowned for its exquisite architectural work. The monastery has a number of interesting features including the Dukhang which is a massive gathering hall inside the monastery. You can admire the amazing murals of Sakyamuni, Tsephakmad, and Amchi embellished in the walls of the Dukhang.
Several idols are housed at the Stakna Monastery, and they are both exquisite and enchanting to look at. A 7ft tall silver gilt chorten consisting of a figure of Lord Buddha can be seen on the courtyard's extreme right-hand side. Paintings of Buddhist teachers such as Bodhisattva, Tshong-san-Gompa, and PadmaSambhava line the walls of the monastery.
The Stakna Monastery is well known for its beautiful vistas as well. The hillock commands a direct view of the Indus below, which appears twice as beautiful during the dusk hours.
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Highlights
• Admire the stunning Tibetan architecture that went behind the making of the Stakna monastery
• Marvel at the statue of the Alokiteshvara Budddha; it is said that the founding father of the monastery carried this stature here all the way from Assam
• Witness a marvelous sunset from the Stakna courtyard, replete with beautiful views of the mountains and the river
How To Reach
The Monastery is located just a short while outside Leh towards Karu, on the Leh-Manali Highway. There are quite a few ways to travel to Skatna from Leh:
By Bus: Several intra-state buses travel along the Manali-Leh Highway. There is a direct bus that plies between Leh and Skatna twice a day. Alternatively, one can hail any of the buses traveling to Sakti or Manali and disembark on the Highway to take a short walk up to the Stakna Monastery.
By Bikes: Bikes and scooters are easily available on rent in Leh. Biking all the way to Skatna can be a great scenic alternative, the only challenge being the narrow roads with sharp turns.
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Best Time To Visit
The best time to visit the Skatna Monastery would be during the early evening hours, when it is less crowded and the sun shines perfectly over the beautiful structure. In terms of season, May to September would be the ideal time to visit the monastery. The pleasant weather during this time makes it ideal for tourists to explore this marvelous monastery.
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