Likir is a small village about 62 kilometers away from Leh in the west. It is popular for Likir Monastery. Mountains surround the village, and people mostly come here to enjoy the breathtaking views of the cold desert.
Likir is situated about 11,978 feet above sea level. The locals depend on the meadows, and glaciers are the major water source here. Likir remains covered with snow throughout the year and temperature ranges between 0°C to 10°C here. If you plan to explore this beautiful village, below you can find the best places to visit in Likir.
Top Places to Visit in Likir
Likir is a spiritual and peaceful place that you will love to explore. If you are in Likir, don't forget to explore the below-mentioned places in the village:
Likir Monastery
It is a Buddhist monastery, which is also known as the Likir Gompa. The monastery is at 3700 meters, 52 kilometers west of Leh. It belongs to the Tibetan Buddhism (Gelugpa sect) and was founded by Lama Duwang Chosje (1065). The monastery was constructed on a small hill near the Indus River's banks.
It is approximately 9.5 kilometers north of the Srinagar Leh highway. Witness the beauty of the Himalayan Mountains from the monastery. It is the oldest monastery of Laddakh, with many stories to tell you.
The 75 feet large statue of Maitreya Buddha is the major tourist attraction of this monastery. The statue is gilded in gold. There are many paintings of murals, thangkas, and guardian divinities. There is a school inside the monastery, and the Central Institute of Buddhist Studies runs this school. There is also a library where you can find books and manuscripts of Buddhism and the teachings of Tsong Khapa.
Gonkhang (a temple) is also part of this monastery. You can find the images of Sakyamuni in the temple. The annual festival, held at the monastery, is the major attraction. During the festival, you can enjoy the Cham dance and exhibition of the monastery collection. You can visit the monastery from 9 am-1 pm and 2 pm-6 pm. The entry charges are 5 to 10 INR per person.
Leh Palace
The palace is located at the Tsemo Hill. It is the former palace of the royal family of Leh. It was constructed in 1553 by Tsewang Namgyal. It is one of the tallest structures that you will find in the region. You can visit the palace any day from 7 am to 4 pm. The entry charges are 15 INR per person for Indians and 100 INR for foreigners.
The Archeological Survey of India renovated the palace. It is divided into two parts. One section or part is for the current prince (used as his living area), and the second part is converted into a museum. Inside the palace, you can find countless number of things. The architecture of the palace resembles the architecture of Lhasa Potala Palace. The architectural detailing of the palace is admirable. The structure of the palace looks modest and grand. You can explore the entire palace within two hours; the best time to visit the palace is in the morning.
Nubra valley
It is situated in the northern Himalayan range of India and is popular for its beautiful landscape. The temperature here ranges from -10 degrees Celsius (winter) to 20 degrees Celsius (summer). The valley is in between Kashmir and Tibet. You can enjoy the valley's beauty in the summer while in winter, the whole valley gets covered with snow. To reach the valley, you must cross the Khardung La, the highest pass in the world. From the distance, the valley may look a little dry but green (during the summer).
The traditional name of this valley is Dumra, which means valley of flowers. The valley is the cold desert. The area receives little rainfall. But, the rivers irrigate the land and keep the region fertile. The locals grow different crops, including mustard, barley, fruits (apricots, almonds, apples, walnuts), and wheat. June, July, and August are the best time to explore the beauty of Nubra Valley.
Gurudwara Pathar Sahib
It is a beautiful Gurdwara constructed in the memory of Guru Nanak in 1517. It is about 25 miles from Leh and 2000 feet above the sea level. The building is associated with an important incident in the history of the Sikh religion. Guru Nanak travelled to Sikkim, Tibet, and Nepal during 1515-18.
When he was returning to Punjab, he rested at this place. When he was sitting there for meditation, a demon tried to kill him with a boulder. But Guru Nanak defeated the demon, and the boulder melted and got Guru Nanak's shape. Indian army and locals have constructed this gurudwara to pay homage to this event.
Shanti Stupa
It was constructed to spread prosperity and peace. Now, it has become one of the major tourist attractions in the region. The religious place offers you stunning views from the top. It has a level structure. At the first level, there is a relief of Dharmachakra, which has deer on every side. Also, there is a golden Buddha image that sits on the platform. At the second level, some reliefs show the death and birth of the Buddha. You can see the series of various smaller Buddha reliefs on each level. You can visit this place anytime from 5 am to 9 am as it remains open all day.
Conclusion:
Likir is popular worldwide for its Likir Monastery, which is also the major tourist attraction of this village. You can get there by taking a bus from Leh. The monastery was constructed in the 14th century, and the best time to explore his place is from May to October. Besides that, you can also visit in Likir are Shanti Stupa, Gurudwara Pathar Sahib, Nubra Valley, and Leh Palace.
