The Sankar Gompa Monastery is an Imperial Monastery. It is situated on the border of Khardung La Pass on the way to the Nubra Valley. It is about 3 kms away from the north of Leh. A 30 minutes walk is needed to reach Sankar Gompa from the centre of the . The attractive two-storied complex and the fluttering beautiful prayer flags which are of different vibrant colors surrounded by the stone walls of the farmhouses can be seen from far away.

The Buddha’s teaching of 108 volumes and the three images of Buddhas are the Sakyamuni, the present Buddha and the future Buddha, which is the Maitreya, can be seen on the front veranda of the Gompa which is its demand for fame. From the front yard as you enter the Gompa, you will see a flight of stairs which goes to the Gompa. The entrance of the Gompa is decorated on both the sides of the entry door by the picturesque paintings of the ‘Guardian of Four Quarters of the Heaven’. The wall on the left side of the porch has an exquisite painting of ‘The Wheel of Life’ which is being possessed by Yama - the god by whom a person’s destiny after death is controlled. And the wall on the right side clearly annotates ‘TheOld Man of the Long Life’. The key entrance opens into the foremost hall, which is also known as the Dukhang, with a ceiling far above the ground and on the opposite side of the entrance there is a Royal Throne which belongs to the Chief Lama.

Vibrant colorful sculptures which are made up of barley and butter are standing on one side of the Royal Throne and the statue of Avalokitesvara is perched on the other side with eleven heads and 1,000 arms. The main theme of this Gompa is ‘protecting’ which is described in the form of frescos, sculptures, idols and murals. On both the sides of Royal Throne is a doorway that goes to a Chapel in the adjacent room which includes an image of Tsong-kha-pa who was the founder of the Gelukpa Sect.

Within the same premises there is a small patio which consists of the Tibetan calendar and beautiful murals on the inner walls of the patio which portrays the exact way of the living of the Lamas. Inside this patio is the ‘Dukar Lha-khang’ which is the small temple of the deity Dukar which includes her gigantic turquoise implanted statue which has 1000 heads and 1000 arms. The local female devotees offer bracelets to this God.

One of the top floor is the chamber of relaxation of the Chief Lamas and the other Lamas. From the Gompa Library and the dazzling terrace of the Gompa, the Namgyal Tsemo Hill is able to be seen.

History

Sankar Gompa Monastery is the auxiliary of the Monastero Spituk which was institutionalized by the Red Hat Institution. On the other hand, they were taken over in the 15th century by the Yellow Hat sect. Those who come to this Sankar Gompa Monastery for staying are generally from Gelugpa Order and these people are believed to be the consecutive incarnations of the Skyabaje Bakula Rinpoche.

Architecture

Sankar Gompa Monastery is a modern type of Monastery with striking cluster of buildings erected in the midst beautiful tall trees across the town, in the region of Khardung La which is a 5,359 m  pass  that goes from Leh to the Nubra and Shylock Valleys.

The Sankar Monastery has steps that go to 'Dukhang' which is also known as the assembly hall. To reach Dukhang one has to go all the way through a double door entrance, while on the right side of the doors, there are three green colored drums which are located in the area which is the place for Gyeskos. On the left side of Dukhang, the entry door goes to the Wheel of Life with the Yama holding it.

The exquisite paintings of the walls of the Sankar Gompa Monastery carry images of mandalas along with the details of the Tibetan calendar. This beautiful and sacred Monastery includes guest rooms and an attractive library. According to the routine a lama from this Sankar Monastery makes a visit every morning, day and evening, to the fort which belongs to the mid-sixteenth century, at Namgyal Tsemo.

Namgyal Tsemo is located at the crest above Leh to manifest the rituals at the holy temples which is associated with the fort.

Reaching There

Leh can be reached by train; from Leh the nearest railway station is Jammu which is nearly 734 km away.

From Manali buses are available, which cover nearly 453 km to reach Leh. The Manali - Leh road is not open all through the year, though buses are available in the months from June to October, when roads are open.

There are also air services are available from Delhi to Leh and also from Srinagar, different airline companies are offer regular flight services.