About Stok Buddha Statue
The Stok Buddha Statue is a 71-foot (22-metre) seated statue of Gautama Buddha located in Stok village, about 15 km south of Leh in Ladakh, India. Situated on a hillock opposite Thiksey Monastery and near Stok Monastery and Stok Palace, it was constructed between 2014 and 2015 and inaugurated by the 14th Dalai Lama in 2016. The colourful statue overlooks the Indus Valley and offers panoramic views of the Stok Kangri range.
Visitors guide
Visitors can expect a large, colourful seated Buddha statue on an elevated platform in Stok village, accessible via a short uphill walk and steps. The site offers open views of the Indus Valley, Stok Palace, Thiksey Monastery across the valley, and snow-capped mountains. The area is quiet and exposed, with a small base platform for circumambulation, photography and meditation. There is no enclosed shrine complex, and the visit is primarily outdoor sightseeing.
Key highlights
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71-foot tall seated statue of Gautama Buddha in meditation posture
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Hilltop location with panoramic views of Indus Valley and Stok Kangri range
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Located opposite Thiksey Monastery and close to Stok Monastery and Stok Palace
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Inaugurated by the 14th Dalai Lama on 8 August 2016
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Colourful exterior with detailed traditional Buddhist iconography
History of Stok Buddha Statue
Constructed between 2014 and 2015 under the initiative of Stok Monastery with community support, and inaugurated by the 14th Dalai Lama on 8 August 2016. The project was undertaken to commemorate Buddhist teachings and to create a landmark religious monument in the Leh region.
Culture & Context
Represents Gautama Buddha in meditation posture and serves as an important Buddhist religious landmark for the Ladakhi community. It symbolizes peace and compassion and functions as a pilgrimage and cultural site associated with Stok Monastery and the broader Tibetan Buddhist tradition of Ladakh.
Route
| By air |
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