Stakna Monastery was established in the late 1500s by the Bhutanese saint and scholar Chosje Jamyang Palkar, who was invited to Ladakh during the reign of King Jamyang Namgyal. This makes it one of the few monasteries in Ladakh directly affiliated with the Drukpa Kagyu tradition of Mahayana Buddhism—a lineage more commonly followed in Bhutan.

Unlike many other monasteries in Ladakh that follow the Gelug or Sakya traditions, Stakna is the only major Drukpa monastery in the region, which gives it a distinct spiritual flavor. The monastery has historically served as a key center for cross-border Buddhist learning between Ladakh and Bhutan, housing scriptures and relics brought from the Himalayas’ eastern reaches.

Even today, the monastery maintains its Bhutanese cultural and spiritual links, with monks occasionally visiting or training under Bhutanese lamas.

Stakna Monastery is not vast in size, but its location and architectural harmony with the surrounding landscape make it truly striking.

• Hilltop Structure: Built atop a rocky promontory, the monastery resembles a fortress as much as a spiritual haven.

• Whitewashed Main Temple (Dukhang): A simple but elegant prayer hall containing statues of Bodhisattvas, Padmasambhava, and Chosje Jamyang Palkar, the founder himself.

• Colorful Interiors: Inside, you’ll find age-old murals, thangkas, and wooden carvings, especially of the Drukpa masters.

• Monastic Residences: Modest quarters for monks are arranged around the temple, maintaining a peaceful atmosphere.

• Stupas and Courtyard: The hilltop is ringed with small chortens (stupas), and a prayer-flag-lined courtyard provides panoramic views of the Indus Valley.

What makes Stakna’s architecture memorable is not its size, but the sense of isolation, clarity, and purity it evokes—perfectly mirroring the introspective life of Buddhist practitioners.

• Daily Monastic Chants: Though small in number, the resident monks maintain regular rituals, and visitors are welcome to listen to the soothing morning and evening chants.

• Drukpa Teachings: Stakna’s Drukpa lineage offers a different doctrinal perspective from the more widespread Gelug tradition—insightful for those keen on comparative studies of Tibetan Buddhism.

• Spiritual Retreat: Due to its peaceful environment and low tourist footfall, the monastery is sometimes used by monks and visiting scholars for quiet meditation or study retreats.

Spiritual Peace:

Stakna Monastery provides a quiet and spiritually enriching environment, ideal for meditation and inner contemplation. Its isolated location on a hill shaped like a tiger’s nose (from which it gets its name) enhances the peaceful atmosphere, making it a perfect place for those seeking solitude and spiritual calm.

Cultural Immersion:

As a prominent Drukpa lineage monastery, Stakna offers visitors a chance to engage with the unique rituals and teachings of this school of Tibetan Buddhism. The monastery houses ancient relics, thangkas, and statues, offering deep insights into Ladakh’s spiritual traditions and monastic life.

Scenic Views:

The monastery offers breathtaking views of the Indus River flowing gently through the valley below, with panoramic vistas of surrounding barren mountains and distant snow-covered peaks. Its scenic hilltop position makes it a visual treat for nature lovers and photographers alike.