Lamayuru Monastery
This monastery was first built by Rinchen Zangbo at the end of the 10th century, under the orders from the King of Ladakh. The oldest and spectacularly set holy site Lamayuru monastery is about 125 kms west of Leh. Lamayuru was once a lake. It was blessed by a lama after which, as legend goes, the water of the lake receded up to the mountains leaving place for the monastery to be built. It is also the free zone of Ladakh since not even a criminal can be apprehended in this place. Its five building were built on a broken mountain in the valley. Now mostly in ruins, only the main hall exists today and houses numerous thangkas. Only the central building stands today, yet you can still see remains of the four corner buildings to the west. It houses a library, thought to be the oldest in region. The present monastery dates back to the 16th century and has the 11-headed image of the Avalokitesvara Buddha.
The Yundrung Kabgyad festival is held during summer on the 28th and 29th days of the 2nd Tibetan month.
Lamayuru has fascinating caves carved out of the mountainside. Also known as Yung Drung (Swastika) it is sited on a high promontory overlooking the village and valley. For sheer spectacle value no other gompa can match Lamayuru.
