Jammu & Kashmir Spituk Monastery
Spituk Monastery is situated in the Leh District of Ladakh, in the Northern mountain ranges of India, which is also known by other names, such as SpitukGompa and PethupGompa. This monastery was established in the 11th Century and is considered one of the Oldest Buddhist monasteries of India.
These Monasteries, particularly in Leh, were founded by the Red Hat Institution , however they were taken over by the Yellow Hat sect during 15th Century. Those who arrive at these Monastery for staying are mostly from Gelugpa Order and they are considered successive incarnations foSkyabsjeBakula Rinpoche.
There are about 100 monks now residing here and a Kali Statue of giant size has been installed here, which was done during the Spituk festival.
History
Od-de the elder brother of Lha Lama ChangchubOd, came to Maryul during 11th Century and established Spituk Monastery in the Conical Hill located 9 km from Leh, with three chapels in it. His efforts were to introduce a monastic community and later when RinchenZangpo, visited this place he was hopeful on formation of an exemplary religious community , thereupon he named the Monastery as Spituk, which means exemplary.
When the monastery was formed originally it belonged to the Kadampa School and later it was restored to the stainless order of Tsongkhapaduring the tenure of DharmarajaTagspa Bum- Lde Lama Lhawang Lotus . The main statuehere is that of the lord Buddha, within which there is a finger size sacred image of Amitayus, which is said to have been presented to King Tagspa Bum-Lde by Tsongkhapa.
Architecture
Gompas and Monasteries follow huge and expansive size of architecture, comparable to Palaces, maintaining uniqueness in any place they are established. If the Gampa is constructed amidst the living places, the Gampa building will be of different colour and size and anyone can clearly mark a Gampa from a far away place. Likewise, the Meditation Caves annexed to Cliffs, will be of distinct architecture that they stand out inviting Buddhist monks and other Buddhism followers to come there and do their Prayers.Spituk Monastery too follow some of these patterns of architecture.
The interior design of a Gompa will vary according to the region in which it is constructed. But, there will always a common design, which would have the meditation hall in the centre and benches or sitting arrangement around for the monks to do their Prayers and Meditation, while Buddha Murti or Thangka will be in the centre. In the Gompa architecture ancient principles of environmental metaphysics are always adopted to keep the Gompa in a serene atmosphere.
With regard to the Eye of Buddha statue, the eyes are painted in such a manner that the followers would not dare to see Buddha’s eyes directly.
Festival
Gustor Festival is held at Spituk Monastery premises every year from the 27th to 29th day in the eleventh month of the Tibetan calendar. The branches of Spituk Monastery, which are Stok Monastery, Sankar monastery and Saboo monastery too celebrate this festival.
Gustor literally connotes a meaning of sacrifice of the 29th day and this festival is celebrated by performance of a special kind of dance that illustrates symbolically with a set of of black hat dancers winning the evil spirits of the universe. The black hats with masks the dancers wear symbolize the protecting divinities of the Geluk-pa order and the guardian divinities of the Buddhist pantheon. The dancers demonstrate the killing of Lang-dar-ma ,aTibetantraitor,in ninth century.
Gustor Festival has its origin from Geluk-pa order of Tibetan Buddhism usually held in the monasteries of that order. The leader of the black hat dancers completes this two days festival c with the distributions of the storma , a sacrificial cake, by conducting a special ceremony. This ceremony is called popularly asArgham , which means killing, implying the destruction of all kinds of evils. The Gustor festival is concluded by burning of an effigy.
How to Reach
The nearest airport to reach Spituk Monastery is LehKushokBakulaRimpochee Airport which is about 5 km away from the main city, a number of flights arriving here everyday from most of the cities in India.
Road transport is also available in plenty to reach Leh, which are the simple and easy mode to move from one place to another in this region.Frequentbus services are provided by Jammu & Kashmir State Road Transport Corporation (JKSRTC) from various places, particularlyPahalgam (784 km), Chamba (826 km) etc.
Leh city has a railway station from where trains to various destinations, both In passenger and superfast categories, are available.
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