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Alchi Monastery

Overview

•Alchi Monastery or Alchi Gompa is a Tibetan Buddhist monastery, known more as a monastic complex (chos-'khor) of temples in Alchi village in the Leh District, under the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council of the Union Territory of Ladakh, India.

Highlights

The complex comprises four separate settlements in the Alchi village in the lower Ladakh region with monuments dated to different periods.
Of these four hamlets, Alchi monastery is said to be the oldest and most famous.
It is administered by the Likir Monastery.
It is 60 west of Leh on Leh-Kargil Highway.
Alchi is also part of the three villages (all in lower Ladakh region) which constitute the 'Alchi group of monuments'; the other two villages adjoining Alchi are the Mangyu and Sumda Chun.

Dress Code

Modest, respectful clothing is expected at this site.

History

•The history of the monuments in the Alchi complex and in the other two villages in the Alchi group is not precise, in spite of many inscriptions and texts displayed on the walls.
•One inscription refers to the foundation of the monastery by a king and a queen, who may appear in the royal drinking scene from the murals at the entrance of the Dukhang, and dated to circa 1200 CE.
•Traditionally, the creation of the Alchi complex is attributed to the famous scholar-translator Rinchen Zangpo (958–1055) in the 10th century, along with the Lamayuru Monastery, the Wanla, the Mang-gyu and the Sumda.

Architecture

•The monastery complex has three major shrines: the Dukhang (Assembly hall), the Sumtsek and the Temple of Manjushri, all dating from between the early 12th and early 13th centuries.
•Chortens are also an important part of the complex.
•In addition, the Alchi complex has two other important temples, the Translator's temple called the 'Lotsawa Lakhang' and a new temple called the 'Lakhang Soma'.

Temple Layout

•The monastery complex has three major shrines: the Dukhang (Assembly hall), the Sumtsek and the Temple of Manjushri, all dating from between the early 12th and early 13th centuries.
•Chortens are also an important part of the complex.
•In addition, the Alchi complex has two other important temples, the Translator's temple called the 'Lotsawa Lakhang' and a new temple called the 'Lakhang Soma'.

Travel Tips

The monuments in these three villages are stated to be of "unique style and workmanship", but the Alchi monastic complex is the best known.

Things to Do

Visit Alchi Monastery

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Alchi Monastery or Alchi Gompa is a Tibetan Buddhist monastery, known more as a monastic complex (chos-'khor) of temples in Alchi village in the Leh District, under the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council of the Union Territory of Ladakh, India.

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