The sound of prayer wheels, the scent of juniper incense, and the silence between mountains — Ladakh's monasteries offer something no itinerary can fully prepare you for. These are not museum pieces. They are alive, inhabited, and deeply purposeful.
Hemis — the largest and the most misunderstood
Most visitors arrive at Hemis during the July festival, cameras raised, ready for the mask dances. But Hemis between festivals is a different place entirely — quieter, more open, and infinitely more personal. Monks invite you into study rooms. Butter lamps flicker in chambers that have barely changed in three centuries. The library holds manuscripts that predate most of what we call history.
Thiksey — a monastery that looks like a miniature Potala
The comparison to Lhasa's Potala Palace is not an accident. Thiksey rises in 12 tiers above the Indus Valley, and inside it holds a 15-metre seated Maitreya Buddha — the future Buddha — installed in 1980. Arrive before 7am for morning prayers, when the monks assemble and the sound of horns and cymbals rolls down the valley like thunder.
The monks and what they're actually doing
Debate is the backbone of Tibetan Buddhist monastic education. In the evenings at Spituk and other monasteries, you'll see young monks clapping their hands sharply as they make logical points — not aggression, but emphasis. It's theatrical and precise and nothing like what you'd expect from a silent, meditative tradition. If you sit quietly nearby, no one will ask you to leave.
These are not museum pieces. They are alive, inhabited, and deeply purposeful — and the monks will tell you as much if you ask.
— Saanvi Rao
From the Journey
Watch the Journey
✦ Key Tips Before You Go
Remove shoes before entering prayer halls — always
Ask before photographing monks or interiors
Attend morning prayers (5–7am) for an experience no tourist package includes
Dress conservatively — shoulders and knees covered
The monastery guesthouses at Lamayuru and Hemis are exceptional
WRITTEN BY
Saanvi Rao
Saanvi maps experiences that blend culture, adventure, and authentic local connections. She has visited every major monastery in Ladakh at least twice.
