Spituk Monastery — the hilltop gompa near Leh's airport
What it is
Spituk Monastery, known as Spituk Gompa, sits in the village of Spituk about 8 km from Leh by Wikipedia's account. It is said to have been founded in the 11th century by an older school and taken over by the Gelug school in the 15th.
The festival and the statue
Spituk holds the Gustor festival each year, from the 27th to the 29th day of the eleventh month of the Tibetan calendar. A giant statue of Kali is unveiled then.
Getting there
Our routing measures about 8 km and 10 minutes by road from the town centre.
Combine it with
The first-day plan includes it. Read things to do in Leh, when to visit and how to reach Leh.
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Questions people ask
What is Spituk Monastery?
A Buddhist monastery in Spituk, about 8 km from Leh by Wikipedia's account. It is said to have been founded in the 11th century and was taken over by the Gelug school in the 15th. Our routing measures about 8 km and 10 minutes by road from the town centre, so it is the nearest monastery.
What is the Gustor festival?
An annual festival held at Spituk from the 27th to the 29th day of the eleventh Tibetan month, by Wikipedia's account. A giant statue of Kali is unveiled during it. The dates follow the Tibetan calendar and fall in winter, so check them with the monastery before you plan a visit.
Is it worth a short visit?
Wikipedia gives few details of the interior, so we do not describe it. The hilltop setting above the Indus valley and the short drive from Leh make it easy to combine with the palace and the Shanti Stupa. We have no verified opening hours, so ask locally.