Enjoy 360 degree view of Leh city from the Namgyal Tsemo Monastery. This brick red Chamba Lhakhang (Maitreya Temple) was built by King Tragspa Bumde around 1430 AD. Apart from the Buddha, the monastery houses many ancient manuscripts and beautiful frescoes which depict stories from the life of the Buddha. It was from here that King Tashi Namgyal (1520–1540) managed to repel most of the Central Asian raiders, and built the Namgyal Tsemo fort on top of the Namgyal Peak in Leh. He also built the Tsemo Goenkhang (protector temple) here after his victory over an invading army from Yarkand in 1532. At one point in history, the monastery served as the royal residence of the Namgyal dynasty, which still survives today in the Stok Palace.
Posted on: Sat, 10 Jan 2015 07:21:57 +0000