One of the biggest tourist attractions of Ladakh is the Diskit Monastery of Nubra valley. It has gained popularity because of the famous 106 ft tall Maitreya Buddha it is home to. The statute in gold and red faces Shak river. It was consecrated by none other than the Dalai Lama in the year 2010 as a symbol of the values – world peace, prevention of more wars between India and Pakistan and protection of Dikshit village.
About the Monastery
The milky white Dikshit Gompa is located on a high hill and you must hike up the hill to reach it. It has beautiful paintings and images. The cupola or dome that adorns the roof depicts the famous Tashilhunpo Monastery of Tibet. It also has a storehouse that preserves several Mongolian and Tibetian texts. At top of the monastery is Lachung temple with a large idol of Tsong Khapa, the founder of the Gelugpa Sect. It also has a school for Tibetian children run with the help of an NGO called the Tibetian Support Group.
Other Attractions of the region
Another important attraction of the region is that you will get a chance to see Bactrian double-humped camels, The valley has greener vegetation in the whole of Ladakh which has earned it the title of the ‘Orchard of Ladakh’. The river and Hunder village that is located at a distance of 8 kilometers offer stunning views.
How to reach Dikshit Monastery?
It is located at a distance of 116 kilometers from the town of Leh and is best visited on a two-day trip. You can reach it using a cab or personal vehicle. You can also board a bus from Leh to Nubra and get a local taxi there.
Leh airport is the nearest airport and is well connected including to Delhi.
Railway travel is not a very good option as the nearest major railway station is Jammu Tawi which is 812 kilometers from Leh. You will have to depend on the taxi service to reach from there to Leh, this journey in itself takes 3 days and stops at Srinagar and Kargil for the night stay.
Best time to visit Diskit
May to September months is the best time to visit. But if you are willing to face harsher conditions, you might want to visit it in time for Dosmoche which is celebrated in the month of January or February.
Where to stay?
There are many decent accommodation options in Nubra and Hunder villages – guest houses, hotels, etc.
What to eat?
The world’s highest cafe is on the road from Leh but we recommend you start with a full belly and carry some food in the store. Nubra has some decent food option especially Tibetian food. Carry reusable water bottles to keep yourself hydrated but avoid littering.
Other precautions
- Please note that photography is not allowed inside prayer hall and museum. Make sure you are following all the other rules of the place
- The journey might be a strain on your health particularly causing AMS or Acute Mountain Sickness and precautions must be taken in this regard. Consult your doctor to know if you are healthy enough for the journey.
- Mobile connectivity is an issue. BSNL and Airtel work well. And thus take your precautions accordingly
Conclusion
A trip to Dikshit Valley is one of the must-dos if you are planning a trip to Ladakh. The placing is an amalgamation of natural beauty, architectural genius, religion, culture and the pursuit of world peace. We hope this article will help you in planning your trip well.
