Chemrey Monastery

Chemrey Monastery is a 17th-century Buddhist monastery perched on a hill above Chemrey village, about 40 km east of Leh in Ladakh, India. Built in 1664 and belonging to the Drugpa lineage of Tibetan Buddhism, it is noted for its hilltop setting overlooking the Indus Valley, well-preserved murals, ancient scriptures and a prominent statue of Padmasambhava. The monastery remains an active religious centre and hosts the annual Chemrey Angchok festival.

Visitors can expect a hilltop monastery complex reached by a short uphill climb with steps, offering panoramic views of the Indus Valley and surrounding mountains. Inside, there are prayer halls, chapels with murals and thangkas, a large statue of Guru Padmasambhava, ancient scriptures and butter lamps. The setting is quiet and active with resident monks, with courtyards and terraces for sightseeing and photography of the landscape and architecture.

Built in 1664 by Lama Tagsang Raschen, a prominent Drugpa lama, and dedicated to the memory of King Sengge Namgyal of Ladakh. The monastery was established as a Drugpa lineage institution and has remained an important centre of Tibetan Buddhism in Ladakh since the 17th century.

An active monastery of the Drugpa lineage of Tibetan Buddhism, housing sacred scriptures, murals and statues revered by Buddhists. It is known for the annual Chemrey Angchok festival featuring sacred cham dances, and serves as a religious and cultural centre for the local community.