Phyang Monastery

Around 15 km from Leh, Phyang Monastery is one of the only two monasteries in Ladakh belonging to the Drikung Kagyu sect, the other being the Lamayuru Monastery. Phyang got its name from the blue mountain in its backdrop called as Gang Ngonpo. The monastery was founded by Denma Kunga Drakpa who had camped in this area in the early 16th century. While meditating, he had a vision of protectress Achi riding her blue horse, and took the dream as an auspicious sign to construct a monastery on that spot. And thus Phyang Monastery was built.

Phyang has a 900-year-old museum with an extensive collection of idols, thangkas, scriptures, and Tibetan, Chinese and Mongolian weapons. The monastery complex also has a temple of Mahakal which was built around the same time as the monastery was built. The gompa has a school of its own, known as Ratnashri School, which was founded with the purpose to teach young Buddhist monks not only about Buddhism but also modern education. Like every monastery, Phyang celebrates its annual festival Phyang Tsedup on 17th to 19th days of the first month of the Tibetan calendar, which usually falls in July/August.