Phyang Monastery
20 km from Leh on the Leh-Kargil road, Phyang looks like a huge palace from afar. Built by Tashi Namgyal in the later half of the 16th century AD, it belongs to the Red Cap sect of Buddhists. Hundreds of icons of Buddha and other gods are kept on wooden shelves. The Phyang gompa has 50 lamas and 7 novices of the red-cap sect and possesses 5 chapels. The Phyang monastery is interesting for its museum with some ancient Chinese, Tibetan, Mongolian and possibly Serasan weapons and armour. The museum room is said to be nearly 900 years old and the monastery has had several renovations recently, including the addition of a large prayer wheel. The 650 years old Dukhang temple was renovated in the late '70s. Phyang's large and colourful festival rivals that of Hemis in the crowds it attracts. However, till recently it was always held in the winter. The lamas decided to move it to summer to take advantage of the tourist season and have also built new rest houses.
