Stok Gompa and Palace

Attractions: Ritual dance-mask
Location: 15 km to the south of Leh

Stok Gompa is situated at a distance of approximately 15 km to the south of the Leh town. It dates back to the 14th century and was founded by Lama Lhawang Lotus.  The oldest parts of the Gompa are some 550 years old though the main Dukhang is only about fifty years old.  Stok is a subsidiary of the Spituk Gompa and belongs to the yellow-hat sect of Buddhism. Its festival "Guru Tsechu" held on the 9th and 10th of the 1st month of Tibetan Calendar.

The entrance verandah has new and colorful mural paintings of the Guardians of the Four Directions. Inside, the Dukhang has been recently repainted and the room is decorated with numerous banners and thankas. The entrance wall on either side of the door depicts various guardian dividities. On the left side wall the central image is of Vajrapani (Vajra-in-Hand), while the image on the left is that of Avalokitesvara (also known as the "Lord of All He Surveys", believed to be reincarnated in the Dalai Lama and the throne to the right is for the head lama of Stok.

On the right is an impressive image of Yamadhaka, a guardian divinity. There is a small chapel behind the Dukhang, entered through doors by the side of the throne seats. This chapel is the oldest part of the gompa. Its central image is of Tsong-kha-pa, the founder of the yellow-hat sect of Tibetan Buddhism. To the right of this two-storey high image are three small statues: a yellow-hat lama and two of Sakyamuni. To the left of the central image is another yellow-hat lama, Avalokitesvara in his four-armed manifestation and Maityreya, the Future Buddha or Buddha of Compassion. By the wall on the right is an image of the founder, Nawang Lotus.

Leave the Dukhang and go immediately to the right through a low door. On the right is a small chapel with a row of Buddha images that depict the eight hand gestures of Buddha. Unfortunately, the Buddhas are covered with cloth so most of the gestures are not visible. Masks used during Stok's January festival are seen hanging from the pillars in this room. Leaving this chapel, go up the stairs in front of it for two flight of steps, emerging on a small upper courtyard. Straight across the courtyard area is a door leading to the head lama's apartment. This room is decorated with several thankas but is mostly notable for the intricate woodcarving on the two low tables in front of the seat. A door on the left side of the courtyard opens onto the gompa's library. This room has a complete set of the Kandshur, the 108 volumes of the Buddha's teachings. The central image in this library is of Sakyamuni (the Historical Buddha).

One of the major attractions of the Stok Monastery is its own library. The library has a complete set of the Kandshur, the 108 volumes of the Buddha's teachings. A new temple, dedicated to Avalokitesvara, was added to the monastery some time back. The central image inside the temple is that of Avalokitesvara, with his 1,000 arms and 11 heads. A ritual dance-mask takes place near the gompa, on the 9th and 10th day of the first month of the Tibetan calendar.

Palace

King Tsespal Tondup Namgyal built Stok palace & Museum in the year 1825, after Zorawar Singh's annexation of Ladakh. The royal family resides here since Ladakh lost to Zorawar Singh. At present the palace has a collection of royal dresses, old Thankas, King's crown etc. that is open for visitors.

The Stok Palace is located on a glacial deposit of pebbles and overlooks fields of barley grown on terraces on the mountains. Standing four storeys tall, King Tsespal Tondup Namgyal built Stok palace & Museum in the year 1814, after Zorawar Singh's annexation of Ladakh. The royal family resides here since Ladakh lost to Zorawar Singh.  The museum at the Stok Palace has an intriguing collection of Buddhist art, weapons, jewellery and artifacts, including thangkas painted with colors derived from crushed precious stones. Also on display are the ceremonial headdresses or 'peraks' of the erstwhile rulers of Ladakh. These headdresses are decorated with turquoise, lapis lazuli and coral and gold, making them an exotic sight.