Shey Monastery

History

Historic capital associations and a large copper-gilt Shakyamuni statue are commonly cited on government tourism summaries for Shey.

District routes often combine Shey with Thiksey and Druk White Lotus School viewpoints on half-day Leh outings.

Stories

Two Palaces on One Hill

Accounts say the first palace at Shey, now in ruins, was built in the 10th century by Lhachen Palgyigon, king of Maryul, as Ladakh was then called. The present palace and monastery were built in 1655 by Deldan Namgyal, in memory of his father Sengge Namgyal.

Shey was long a seat of Ladakhi kings and a summer capital. It lies about 15 km south of Leh on the Leh-Manali road, at an average height of roughly 3,415 metres.

The Copper Buddha

The monastery's main image is a seated Shakyamuni Buddha of copper with gilding, about 12 metres high and rising through three floors. It is described as the second largest such statue in Ladakh.

The copper plates were reportedly hammered out at a place near Leh and assembled at the palace, and about 5 kg of gold is said to have been used for the gilding. Records name a Nepalese sculptor, Sanga Zargar Wanduk, as its maker.

Where Heirs Were Born

When the Dogras of Jammu invaded Ladakh in 1842, the Namgyal royal family left the palace at Shey and settled at Stok across the Indus. Even after the capital moved to Leh, Shey is recorded to have kept its importance.

One account says that Namgyal kings were expected to father their heir apparent at Shey, which kept the old palace tied to the royal line. Today the complex draws visitors as part of the monastery circuit near Leh.

Good to know

Part of UT tourism’s core monastery list

Short drive from Leh along the Indus

Palace and gompa ensemble above the valley

Getting there

Shey sits on the Leh–Manali road about 15 km south-east of Leh; taxis and local buses run from Leh town. The nearest airport is Leh (Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport); the nearest railhead is far away at Jammu Tawi.