6 km away from the Srinagar-Leh highway and 17 km from Leh itself, a monastery, giving an appearnce of palace stands atop a hill. This is the Phyang monastery that was constructed in the later half of the 16th century by ruling Namgyal head. The monastery happens to be the first one that inroduced Degungpa teaching of 'Skyob Jigsten Gonbo' in the entire Ladakh region. The Degungpa teachings of 'Skyob Jigsten Gonbo' was founded by Chosje Danma Kunga.

The monastery belongs to the red hat sect of Buddhism and has around 50 monks residing in its premises. The belongings of the temple include hundereds of wooden and bronze statues of Buddhist gods and goddesses. This monastery is also home to the biggest thangkas, one of which is no less than five storey high.

The Phyang Museum is yet another attractions of the monastery. It showcases a wonderful collection of Chinese, Tibetan and Mongolian fire arms and weapons.

A little distance away from the monastery, Phyang Lake forms a different kind of attraction for visiting tourists.

Phyang Monastery belongs to the Red Hat Sect of Buddhism. As a royal grace, the entire Phyang hills were once inhabited by monks preaching a Buddhist cult. Phyang Gompa is big complex accommodating a number of sacred shrines inside the monastery complex. These shrines have some exquisite wall paintings, dating back to the royal period.

The main attraction for tourists in Phyang Gompa complex is the 900 years old museum. This museum exhibits a rich collection of numerous idols and thangkas besides variety of weapons and firearms of Chinese, Tibetan and Mongolian origin. In this Monastery, the festival of Gang-Sngon Tsedup is held every year from 17th day to 19th day of the first month of the Tibetan calendar. The monastery serves as the venue for the sacred dances held every year on the 2nd and 3rd of the 6th month of the Tibetan calendar.

Festival

The famous Phyang festival,known as the 'Phyang Tseruk', is held during the month of July/August. The festival, like other monastic festival of Ladakh, has the sacred Chham dance as a huge attractions. However, more than this what attract devotees is a pilgrimage to the huge Thangka of Skyabje Jigten Gombo which is displayed during two day festival. In 2007, the festival will be celebrated on July 16 and 17.

Leh

With a population that is majorily Buddhist, Leh Ladakh is an important destination for Buddhist all around the country and even outside. Almost all the major monasteries are located along the two routes. The first route leads upto the monasteries of Shey, Thiksey, Stakna, Matto, Chembray, Taktok and Hemis. On the other hand the second route has Spituk, Phyang, Likir, Alchi, Ridzong and Lamayuru lying in between.

Sankar Gompa

Located at a convenient distance of 2 km from the town of Leh, Sankar Gompa is associated with the Gelukspa school of Tibetan Buddhism. The prime highlight of this gompa is a magnificent image of Avalokiteshvara who is considered the Buddhist deity of compassion. He is depicted with 1,000 heads and 1,000 arms. Also in possession of the gompa are a number of gold icons, a miniature statue of pure gold and beautiful paintings. The gompa is a branch of Spituk monastery.

Diskit Monastery

A major branch of the Thiksey monastery, Deskit was established by Lama Shesrab Zangpo of Stod in the first half of the 15th century. The monastery with a population of around 100 monks celebrates its annual festival called Gustor on the 20th and 29th of the 12th month of Tibetan Calander.