Lamayuru Monastery

Lamayuru Monastery is one of the oldest and largest Tibetan Buddhist monasteries in Ladakh, located in Lamayuru village about 127 km west of Leh on the Leh-Srinagar Highway. Perched atop a hill overlooking the dramatic Moonland landscape, it belongs to the Drikung Kagyu school. Founded in the 11th century, it is known for its ancient murals, thangkas, and annual masked dance festivals.

Visitors can expect a hilltop monastery complex with whitewashed buildings, prayer halls, shrines, and courtyards overlooking the stark, moon-like valley. Inside are colorful murals, statues of Buddha, thangkas, and butter lamps. The surroundings feature rugged mountains and the distinctive Moonland terrain. Visitors can explore assembly halls, meditation areas, and viewpoints, observe monks in prayer, and experience a serene high-altitude setting.

Traditionally founded in the 11th century by Mahasiddhacharya Naropa after meditating in a cave at Lamayuru. The present monastery was established by Rinchen Zangpo. It is considered one of the oldest gompas in Ladakh and originally associated with the Kadampa school before becoming a prominent center of the Drikung Kagyu lineage.

An important center of Tibetan Buddhism in Ladakh belonging to the Drikung Kagyu order. It houses sacred images, murals and scriptures and serves as a place of prayer, meditation and monastic learning. The monastery hosts the annual Yuru Kabgyat festival featuring Cham masked dances, prayers and cultural performances.