Located
at a distance of approximately 3 km from the town of Leh, the Sankar
Gompa of Ladakh is a subsidiary of the Spituk Gompa. Belonging to
Gelukpa Sect, it is also the official residence of The Kushok Bakul,
Ladakh's head of this sect. Ladakh Sankar Gompa has specific timings for
the public, since, out of the 25 monks of the yellow-hat sect attached
to it, a few reside here permanently. The entrance of the Dukhang is
adorned with the paintings of the Guardian of the Four Directions, on
either sides of the door.There is also a "Wheel of Life", held by Yama, on the left wall of the entrance verandah. Inside the Dukhang, the walls are splashed with new paintings of various Buddhas, along with guardian divinities. Also present is a throne reserved for the head lama of the monastery. To the right of the throne is an image of Avalokitesvara (Lord of All He Surveys) with 1000 arms and 11 heads. The central image in the Sankar Monastery of Leh Ladakh is that of Tsong-kha-pa, founder of the yellow-hat sect of Buddhism, along with his two chief disciples.
Other images include those of Sakyamuni (the Historical Buddha), White Guardian and Amchi (the Buddha of Medicine). The Sankar Monastery of Ladakh also houses a temple, devoted to the deity Dukar. The main image inside the temple is of Dukar, inset with turquoise and shown with 1,000 arms, 1,000feet, 1,000heads, and 100,000 eyes. The monastery also boasts of Kandshur, the 108 volumes of Buddha's teachings and images of the Three Buddhas - Sakyamuni (the Post Buddha), the Present Buddha and Maitreya (the Future Buddha).
