Stanka Monastery is situated in the district Leh of the Ladakh in the northern part of India. Ladakh and Leh are two exotic terrains or districts of the state Jammu & Kashmir in India. This historical monastery was actually founded by Chosje Jamyang Palkarn who was a saint as well as a scholar of Bhutan. It is supposed that Chosje Jamyang Palkar founded this monastery in the late 16th century, the year is not confirmed.

Afterwards in 1974, as Leh was opened for visitors, it noticed a boost in the quantity of both foreign and local tourists all the years for the reason of its rich culture, ethnic traditions, serene landscapes, beautiful environment etc. and due to plenty of potential for quest tourism. There are many Monasteries which were set up in Jammu & Kashmir especially in the Leh and Ladakh districts soon after the government of Indian permitted Tibetan Buddhist banishes to stay in India in 1959. The Different Monasteries which come under the Leh-Ladakh terrain are: Hemis Monastery, Thiksey Monastery, Spituk Monastery, Shanti Stupa, Tsemo Monastery, Monastery Circuit, Karma Dupgyud Choeling Monastery, Matho Monastery, Shey Gompa, Stanka Monastery etc.

Stanka Monastery also known as Stanka Gompa was established on an isolated rock of 60 mts height and is nearly 25 kms away from Leh. It shows the Buddhist’s rich cultural and spiritual heritage. It includes riches of Buddhist teachings, Buddhist artifacts and beautiful paintings, which are supervised by the Drukpa sect of the Tibetan Buddhism. In 1580, Stanka Monastery was set up by a scholar known as Chosje Jamyang Palkar. This beautiful Stanka Gompa also consists of a striking idol of Avalokitesvara which is made up of marble and it is considered to be collected from the unexplored Assam State.

History

A famous Buddhist researcher and a great respected personality Jamyang Palkar was the chief one who set up this Stanka Monastery in 1580 AD.

The Stanka Monastery spreads ethics and ideals of Buddhism through the ancient literature which it has kept in its beneficial library, in addition to the exquisite paintings and archaic artifacts of Tibetan Buddhism in it.

The Stanka Monastery was set up in the pattern of the excellent architecture of the Drukpa sect common in the midst of Tibetan Buddhism.

Architecture

The Stanka Gompa is a treat to the eyes of the tourists, for the reason of its personification of traditional and rich cultural heritage and also the spiritual importance of Buddhism.

This Monastery has a stunning marble idol of Avalokitesvara which is popularly known to have been collected from the state of Assam. A beneficial museum is also there which shows incredible collections of armory and military equipments conserved from the different incidents in relation to this terrain.

This Monastery is noticeably known as 'Tiger's Nose Monastery'. The reason behind providing the monastery such a name is the resemblance of the hill, on which the Monastery is standing, to a freaky tiger which looks like soaring up high above the sky.

Reaching There

By Road

The Stanka Monastery is perched nearly 25 kilometers away from Leh and is easily available by taxi. There are also regular taxi and bus services to the Leh district. Though, the roads which leads to Leh are very well maintained, this is a very long and exhausting journey of nearly two days. JKSRTC gives service to Leh(700 km) from Srinagar which takes about two days and HRTC gives service to Leh (474 km) from Manali, which takes around 20 hours or some two days and if you stop in between. The buses will nearly charge you at anyplace between Rs 1,500 to 2,000 for one way tour per person. The Bus Stand of Leh is hardly a kilometer away from the main city. Taxi is also available from the bus stand to get to these places.

By Rail

The closest railway station which leads to Leh is the Kalka station from where one can get a bus or taxi through Shimla to Manali. There are regular taxis and bus services in Manali to and from Leh.

By Air

Leh is in a straight line connected to Delhi via regular flights. It takes nearly 65 minutes to get to Leh from Delhi through the regular flight. Direct flights operate one time in a week to Srinagar from Leh and two times a week to Jammu & Kashmir