Stakna Monastery

The Stakna monastery is a Buddhist monastery located 25 kilometers from Leh on the bank of the Indus river. The monastery is affiliated with the Drukpa sect in Stakna, Leh, Ladakh. The name “Stakna” literally means ‘Tiger’s Nose’ because the monastery is situated on a hilltop and appears to be the shape of a tiger’s nose.

Located at an altitude of 11,800 ft (3,600 m), the Stakna monastery offers a fantastic view of Hemis monastery and its nearby surroundings. The gompa is home to 30 Buddhist monks. It is the only Bhutanese Drukpa monastery in Ladakh managed by Je Khenpo in Bhutan. The other Drukpa monasteries in Ladakh belonging to the Gyalwang Drukpa’s school are based at Hemis. The split in the Drukpa lineage occurred in the 17th century when a dispute arose over the true reincarnation of the 4th Gyalwang Drukpa.

Reaching the Monastery

After driving for half an hour, we finally reached the monastery. The view of the monastery was a sight to behold in the backdrop of the rocky terrain. Although the monastery was not very attractive from the outside, the interiors were mesmerizing.