Mangyu temple complex, Boeddhistisch klooster in Leh district, India
Mangyu temple complex is a Buddhist monastery in the Leh district of Ladakh featuring two main sanctuaries dedicated to Sakyamuni and Vairocana Buddha. Additional chapels on either side hold statues of Maitreya, the future Buddha expected in Buddhist tradition.
The monastery was established between the late 12th and early 13th centuries when Ladakh experienced a major revival of Buddhist construction and artistic practice. This period saw monasteries throughout the region become centers of learning and devotion after earlier decline.
The temple walls display numerous painted murals and sculptures depicting Buddhist deities, representing the religious artistry of medieval Ladakh.
The site sits about 70 kilometers (43 miles) from Leh town, reachable by bus on a remote mountain road that can be rough in winter. Simple lodging is available nearby through a local guesthouse, though visitors should plan ahead as options are very limited in this isolated area.
The complex preserves painted chortens from early medieval times, including a remarkable four-image chorten with four separate sculptures carved directly into the structure. This type of chorten is rarely found in other Himalayan monasteries and shows local sculptural skill from centuries past.
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