Samstanling Monastery, Nubra Valley, Jammu & Kashmir India

Founded by Lama Tsultim Nima around 140 years back, the Samstanling Monastery is located in the Sumlur village of the Nubra Valley region.

Located 124 km north of the capital of Ladakh, Leh; around 50 monks reside in this monastery whose daily needs are taken care by the monastery governing body.

Deep in the sparsely populated, remote region of Nubra Valley, en route to Panamik, lies Samstanling Monastery. Situated a little way further ahead of Samyur village settlement, the monastery was founded by Lama Tsultim Nyima in 1841.

Main monastery of the region and surrounding villages, Samstanling monastery beckons from afar with its distinct traditional hues of gold, red ocher and white. Past a path lined with bushes full of berries, the red flight of steps leading up to the monastery's entrance are lined with religious prayer flags overhead. On one side of the monastery is the older assembly hall (dukhang), with exquisite hangings and murals of Buddha and his teachings. Both the old and new assembly halls are lined with elaborate murals and paintings depicting Buddha, Dharamchakra, the Four Heavenly Kings/Celestial Guardians and other facets of Buddhism.

Samstanling Monastery or gompa is a well-known Buddhist site in the Nubra Valley. Tourists on a trip to the Nubra Valley are recommended to explore this monastery. Situated between Kyagar and Sumur village, it was founded by Lama Tsultrim Nima. Travellers primarily visit this monastery for the collection of Buddhist scrolls, frescos, and Buddhist statues. In 1962, Tibetan spiritual leader, His Holiness the Dalai-Lama, was invited for the inauguration of the seven temples of the gompa. There are around 50 monks living in this monastery whose daily needs are fulfilled by the monastery governing body.

On the other side of the monastery's complex is the guesthouse, residence of monastery head and also where the recently discovered reincarnation of lama Bakula Rinpoche, a great visionary, lives. Barely 7 years old, the young boy greets and blesses devotees with great solemnity, tying sacred threads around their wrists.