SHANTI STUPA

A magnificent white-domed Buddhist monument, the Shanti Stupa in Leh is home to the relics of Buddha, and offers some of the most surreal views of Leh and the nearby village of Changspa. It is also one of the seven grand Buddhist Shanti Stupas in the world, boasting a life-sized figure of Gautam Buddha and you must visit on your trip to Ladakh.

One of the seven Buddhist Shanti Stupas across the world, the Shanti Stupa in Leh, Ladakh is an abode of peace and serenity. The purely white, dome shaped structure towers two storeys high above the surrounding landscape.

Set against the backdrop of the surrounding mountains of Ladakh, the Stupa commands excellent views of the scenic locale. Although the beautifully pristine architecture of the structure makes it a marvel during the daytime, the beauty of the Stupa is further compounded during the evening hours when it is lit up from the inside.

The Shanti Stupa reflects a unique architectural style, far different from the other Ladakhi Stupas. The first level of the Stupa houses a life-sized figure of Gautam Buddha, while the second level contains murals depicting three incidents in the Lord’s life- his birth, his death and attainment of ‘mahanirvana’, and his defeat of evil powers through meditation.

The Shanti Stupa also houses a meditation hall in its premises.The best time to visit the Shanti Stupa is during the hours of dusk and dawn. During this time, the fantastic play of natural light on the white Stupa walls and the surrounding snow-capped mountains offers a majestic view.

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Highlights

• Experience serenity and tranquillity at the Shanti Stupa in Leh, located atop a hill at an elevation of over 11,800 feet above the sea level
• Marvel at the stunning white, dome-shaped structure of the Stupa, with two distinguished storeys that offer unmatched panoramic views of Leh and the Changspa Village
• Enjoy viewing the life-sized figure of Buddha and the Dharmachakra in the first storey of the Stupa, and head to the second storey to witness murals that depict his birth, death and enlightenment
• Spend some time meditating and praying inside the Stupa, and get a chance to soak in the peaceful ambience
• Don’t forget to witness the beauty of the Stupa after sundown, when it gets illuminated by many twinkling lamps

How To Reach

1. By Car: The best and easiest way to reach Shanti Stupa from Leh is to drive there. Shanti Stupa is located around 5 kilometers outside the city of Leh. The drive between the two places takes around 13 minutes.

2. On Foot: The alternate way to reach Shanti Stupa from Leh is to scale the road on foot. Although this method is more tiresome, you will be met with a number of scenic spots on the way. It would take around 45 minutes to trek to Shanti Stupa from Leh via Changsha Road.

3. By Bus: Regular bus services are easily available from the Leh city centre to the Stupa. The bus journey takes around 15 to 20 minutes, depending on the number of stops and overall pace.

Best Time To Visit

The best time to visit Shanti Stupa would be during the months of summer, between April and June. During this time, the weather remains pleasant, and the snow from the winter months gets thawed. The chances of facing landslides during summer months is very little. The best time of the day to visit the Stupa, however, would be during the time of sunset or sunrise.

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Other Essential Information

History of Shanti Stupa:

The original idea for the construction of Shanti Stupa was conceived by Nichidatsu Fujii, also known as Fuji Guruji, in the year 1914. The stupa was constructed under the joint efforts of Japanese and Tibetan monks, under the supervision of Bhikshu Gyomyo Nakamura and Kushok Bakula, the then Llama of Ladakh.

The project of the Shanti Stupa was a part of the ‘peace pagoda mission’, which sought to establish pagodas across the world. Funded by the Indira Government, the construction of the Stupa began in the year 1983. Construction was completed in 1984, and the Shanti Stupa was formally inaugurated in 1991 by the then Dalai Lama Tenzin Gyatso.

Here is the list of Nearby Attractions of Shanti Stupa:

1. Sankar Gompa:

The Sankar Monastery, or Sankar Gompa, is a Buddhist monastery located only half an hour’s walk outside the town of Leh. The monastery houses the magnanimous figure of Avalokiteśvara with a thousand heads, and thousand arms each holding a weapon. The Sankar Gompa is relatively new. Sankar Gompa is a smaller, daughter venture of the much larger Siptak Gompa, and only twenty monks reside here now,

- Location: 3 Km from Leh, Leh 194101, India

- Timings: 7:00 AM - 10:00 AM, 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM

- Entry Fee: Rs. 20 per person.

2. The Leh Palace:

Constructed during the early 1600’s, the Leh Palace is a former royal palace. Constructed by Semgge Namgyal, the palace residence was abandoned by the royal family when the Dogra forces occupied Leh and forced the family to move elsewhere. The splendid architecture of the Leh palace makes it a must visit attraction in Ladakh.

Although the nine storied structure is now crumbling, the museum here houses artefacts aged over 450 years. A number of different structures surround the palace premises, including the Namgyal Stupa and the beautifully muralled Chandazik Gompa.

- Location: Namgyal Hill, Leh, Jammu and Kashmir 194101

- Timings: 08.00AM-05.00PM on all days of the week.

3. Gomang Stupa:

Constructed in the 9th century, the beautifully whitewashed structure of the Gomang Stupa rises prominently above its surroundings. The Stupa is complemented by the life size statue of Lord Buddha towards its northern face, while Buddhist principles and teachings are carved into its walls. The Stupa premises also houses a library and a museum maintained by the archaeological Survey of India.

- Location: Leh, Jammu and Kashmir 194101

- Entry Fee: No entry fee required.

4. Spituk Gompa:

The Spituk Gompa, or the Spituk Monastery was established in the 11th century by the Buddhist Monk Ode-de. Perched on a hilltop, the monastery falls under the school of Dharmaraja Takspa Bum - Lde Lama Lhawang Lotus, who established the Order of the Tsongkhapa here.

The magnanimous monastery is home to a hundred monks now. Spituk Gompa houses a life size image of the deity Kaali, which remains covered and is unveiled during the annual Spituk festival held every January.

- Location: Leh, Jammu and Kashmir 194104

- Timings: 08.00AM-01.00PM on all days of the week.

- Entry Fee: Rs. 30 per head.

Traveler’s Tips for Visiting Shanti Stupa:

1. Reaching the Shanti Stupa, located on top of the hill, requires a fair bit of trekking. Make sure you are in comfortable clothing and shoes.

2. Please take off your shoes before entering the Stupa.

3. Smoking within the Stupa complex is a fine offence.

4. As made evident through its name, the Shanti Stupa was built to be an abode of peace. Please maintain decorum while within the Stupa premises.

5. Do not litter the Stupa grounds or vandalize its walls.

6. The sight of the Stupa at night, with the lights kept on, is a splendid one and should not be missed.

7. Do not forget to carry your camera to the Shanti Stupa, as it commands an excellent scenic view of the surroundings.

8. As one has to scale a large number of steps to reach the top of the Stupa, it is important to stay hydrated during the climb.

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