Alchi Gompa

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A national heritage, it is distinct from other monasteries in Ladakh as it is

situated on flat ground unlike others which are located on hilltops. Alchi

Gompa is located approximately 60 kms west of Leh off the main Kargil Leh

toute near Saspul. Alchi Gompa was established in 1000 AD, by Rinchen

Zangpo.

The Alchi Monastery is famous for the murals which adorns the walls of this

ancient gompa although most of them require restoration and unfortunately

few of the murals are beyond repair.

The Alchi monastery is now managed by monks from the Likir gompa. The

two main temples in Alchi are the Alchi Du-khang and the Sum-tsek but there

are also three smaller buildings to explore.

It has three main structures known as Du-khang, Sum-tsek and the temple of

Manjushri.



Du-khang, the assembly hall, is the largest and the oldest preserved part of

the monastery. Walls of the assembly hall are full of ancient paintings that

depict different forms of Buddha and goddesses.





Sum-tsek, the three-story temple is popular for its four armed big Bodhisattva

statue which occupies two floor of the temple. On the ground floor there is a

Maitreya Buddha along with figure of white Avalokiteshvara and Manjushri.

Temple of Manjushri is also known as Jampe Lhakhang. Along with images of

Manjushri, the temple has sculpture and a painting of Rinchen Tsangpo.

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