Morning at Diskit Monastery
Diskit monastery was founded in the 14th century and belongs to the Gelugpa order, like Thiksey. Its whitewashed buildings climb a steep spur above Diskit village, linked by stairways and narrow passages. Arrive around 7 am and you can sit quietly at the back of the assembly hall while the monks chant, with butter lamps burning and tea being poured. It is a calm way to start the day. Arrive early.
Climb to the upper chapels, which hold old murals, masks used in the winter Dosmoche festival and a protector shrine. Ask your guide to point out the view down the Shyok valley, which runs west towards Turtuk and the Line of Control. The steps are steep and uneven, so take them slowly. A monk may offer butter tea. Ask your guide which chapels may be photographed, and leave a small donation at the shrines.
Below the monastery, on its own hill, sits the seated statue of Maitreya, the future Buddha, about 32 m tall and consecrated by the Dalai Lama in 2010. The statue faces down the valley, and the platform at its feet gives the best panoramic view of Nubra. We drive down and finish with tea in Diskit village. Allow two hours in total. The drive from Sumur takes about 45 minutes.
Questions travellers ask
Good to know
How old is Diskit Monastery?
Diskit was founded in the 14th century and is the oldest and largest monastery in the Nubra valley. It belongs to the Gelugpa, or Yellow Hat, order, and is linked to Thiksey. Many of its buildings have been rebuilt and extended over the centuries, and some of the murals inside are very old.
Can we drive up to Diskit Monastery?
A road reaches close to the monastery, which saves most of the climb, but there are still steep stairways inside. The Maitreya statue below has a separate approach road and a level platform. Seniors who find steps hard can visit the statue and the lower hall and skip the upper chapels.
When is the Diskit festival?
Diskit holds its Dosmoche festival in winter, usually in February, with masked cham dances in the courtyard. Dates follow the Tibetan lunar calendar and change every year. Winter access to Nubra depends on Khardung La being open, so check current status before you travel.
Also in Nubra Valley
More hours to plan around
