of rock debris covered mountains, the whitewashed medieval monastery overlooks about a messy cluster of tumbledown mud-brick houses from the top of a near-vertical, weirdly eroded cliff. A major milestone in the old silk route, the gompa is in huge numbers that is 108 which is considered to be a divine and prominent number, probably may be legendary. It was founded by the great translator Rinchen Zangpo in the tenth and eleventh centuries. However its rocky seat is believed to have dwelled Milarepa during his wandering for spiritual quest, across the Himalayas was probably holy place before the beginning of Buddhism. Lamayuru does not shelter much in the form of art and treasures. The only reason people take a stop here is because of the scenic view it offers of the gompa which is quite magnificent for taking pictures. The en route from Prikiti La Pass is the gateway to Zanskar. The sheer footpath from the highway above the town brings out near the main entrance to the monastery where it is your responsibility to find the Lama for unlocking the door to the Du-Khang. Lamayuru`s newly refurbished prayer halls are little noteworthy than the cave where Naropa, Milrepa`s teacher is allegedly said to have meditated and another remarkable thing is the collection of colorful yak-butter sculptures.
Visiting information of Lamayuru
Lamayuru is located at a distance of 107km in the west of Leh and therefore it is too far from Leh or either from Kargil. The daily buses from Leh to Kargil or Kargil to Leh head off at 5.30am from their respective towns and pass through Lamayuru at around 9am either by the route of chai stalls next to the dragon guest house, or on the road high above the gompa. Otherwise more private buses depart Leh on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday at around 7am for Lamayuru. They en route Lamayuru nearly at 9.30am thereby leaving for Kargil. Trekkers who are in search for guides could ask at the Dragon Guest House.
Accommodation in Lamayuru
Niranjana Hotel is a four storey Gompa style hotel, and place of lavishness. This hotel has twenty simple rooms providing beautiful views of the surrounding valleys. Here there are shared bathrooms that have hot running water. Dorms provide residence with meditation rooms and veg. restaurants at the cost of Rs.100. These hotel rooms` prices double during the festival season in late June and early July. Alternatively the Dragon Guest House offers a wide range of rooms and a pleasing garden restaurant which is the best place to eat in Lamayuru. Also there a handful of guesthouses that are traditional in style, amongst these the finest is the Tashi guesthouse that is situated at the foot of the cliff below the Gompa.
