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One of the main points of interest is the Maitreya Temple installed to
commemorate the visit of the 14th Dalai Lama to this monastery in 1970;
it contains a 15 metres (49 ft) high statue of Maitreya, the largest
such statue in Ladakh, covering two stories of the building.
Thikse
Monastery is the largest such structure in central Ladakh. Located on a
hill slope, its building are arranged in an ascending order of
importance and are well spaced, from the foot of the hill housing the
dwelling units to the top of the hill enshrining the monasteries and
potang (official residence) of the chief lama. The architecture of the
monastery strongly resembles the Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet, the
former official seat of the Dalai Lamas.
One of the
main points of interest is the Maitreya (future Buddha) Temple erected
to commemorate visit of the 14th Dalai Lama to this monastery in 1970.
It contains a 15 metres (49 ft) high statue of Maitreya Buddha - the
largest such statue in Ladakh covering two storeys of the building. He
is unusually portrayed as seated in the lotus position rather than his
usual representations as standing or in a sitting posture on a high
throne.
The annual
festival held in the monastery precincts is known as the Gustor ritual,
which is held from the 17th to 19th day of the ninth month of the
Tibetan calendar (October - November). Sacred dances such as the mask
dance or Cham Dance are performed as a part of this ritual. Another
special feature is the trade fair held at the base of the monastery, in
which villagers from all over Ladakh assemble to barter and trade items
and socialize.
Facilities
such as medical clinic, hotel & restaurant, souvenir shops and so forth
are available at Thiksey.
A fee of 20 rupees is charged for entry to the monastery.
How to
reach
Nearest airport is Kushok Bakula Rimpochhe
Airport (Leh Airport) in Leh, which is connected to Delhi,
Chandigarh and Srinagar. The nearest railway station to Ladakh is Jammu.
From Jammu you can head to Srinagar by road and then to Ladakh, which is
some 434 kilometers away. It is about a two-day journey from Srinagar
with a night halt at Kargil.
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