Statues In India

Diskit Monastery Buddha Statue

Dikshit Monastery Buddha Statue is a very large statue of Maitreya Buddha, an impressive 32 metre (106 foot) statue positioned at the top of a hill facing the Shyok River towards Pakistan.

Also called Deskit Gompa or Diskit Gompa, this famous Dikshit Monastery is considered as the oldest and largest Buddhist monastery situated in the Nubra Valley of Ladakh, a location in the Northern Part of India.

This Buddha Statue and the Monastery belong to the Gelugpa (Yellow Hat) group of Tibetan Buddhism. Changzem Tserab Zangpo, who was a disciple of the founder of Gelupa Tsong Khapa, established this Monastery in the 14th century. It is also a sub-gompa of the Thikse gompa.

In the nearby area, there are two more places of religious importance, which are Lachung Temple and Hundur Monastery.

The monastery celebrates a festival called Dosmoche, which is popularly known as the Festival of the Scapegoat held in February every year. This being a winter season, large number of village people from the Nubra Valley region attends this, while those from other regions in Leh would find it impossible to reach this place due to heavy snow fall.

Origin

Changzem Tserab Zangpo founded Dikshit Monastery in 14th century, which incidentally established the history of Nubra Valley to that period. Ladakh was then under the regime of by King Grags-pa-‘bum-lde (1400–1440) and this ruler along with his brother made attempts to acquire Nubra Valley, which was held by a local chief. Although Nubra valley came under his control when he fought with Invader Mirza Haider at Nubra, the local ruler called Nyig-ma-grags-pa retained the power in Diskit and Hundar. He was the one who assisted the construction of the monastery at Diskit because he was a follower of Gelugpa order. He wanted to glorify Tsong Khapa, the Gelupa sect’s founder by installing his idol in the monastery.

Royal kings were religious all the time and had built many religious points in their kingdom. Buddhist Monks were especially engaged for reciting hymns of Mani-tungchur in Nubra Valley including the surrounding areas. However, later during mid-eighteenth century, Tshe-dbang-rnam-rgyal gave up the control of Diskit monastery and Rinpoche of Thikse Monastery took over its control, which arrangement holds good to this day. It is because of this fact, Diskit Monastery is considered a sub-gompa of Thikse Monastery.

An elevated cupola has also been constructed in Diskit Monastery. Its fresco depicts the Tashilhunpo Monastery of Tibet. A number of shrines and collection of Mongolian and Tibetan texts are retained in the storehouse of Diskit Monastery as this Monastery is having some connections to Mongol mythology. As per this mythology, it is believed that an evil Mongol who was anti-Buddhist and demonic in behaviour once lived here and was destroyed in the nearby grounds. It is also believed that this demon came up several times in this very place. People here strongly believe that the damaged head and arm of the demon still exist in one of the shrines of the monastery.

The Structure

The Maitreya Buddha Statue is enshrined in the prayer hall to which one can reach through a flight of steps made of stones. There is also a huge drum placed within the hall and in the chamber on second floor, many images of fierce guardian deities are placed.

Diskit Monastery is established at the edge of the approach road that links with Parthapur.

Although, the extensions made to the monastery buildings recently are in admissible condition, the main prayer hall referred as Dukhang and another part called Zimcchungh are somewhat in depleted condition. The Paintings of those days have been spoiled by soot which has resulted in images not being kept in order. The Buddha Statue and the main prayer hall in the Monastery are however good places to visit.

Tourism Features

1. Lachung Temple: The visitors to Dikshit monastery can visit Lachung temple which is close by. It is one of the oldest temples in the Nubra Valley where they have deified Tsong Khapa with his idol wearing a Gelugpa yellow hat.
2. Tibetan School: Dikshit monastery runs a school to facilitate Tibetan children. There are about 100 monks living in the precincts of the Monastery. Lungta, a Tibetan NGO which supports the School, has provided computer facilities in the school, training the monks of the monastery in computer skills. The Monks are coached in the English language enabling them to teach the School children in turn.

How to Reach

To reach Nubra by road, one has to take a bus or jeep from Leh to travel for about 150 km. The journey involves crossing Khardung La or K-Top which requires inner line permit to enter. One can approach Nubra from Khalsar also to reach Diskit straight.

Leh Airport is the nearest airport from where one can hire a taxi or take a bus to reach Nubra Valley. Srinagar Airport is also a good option to reach Diskit.

Jammu Railway Station is the nearest one and the traveller can either hire a taxi or board a bus to go to Dikshit via Leh.

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