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Shanti Stupa

Introduction

Shanti Stupa in Leh is one of the magnificent monuments of the city. It is a white-domed monument that was built in 1991 to commemorate 2500 years of Buddhism and to also promote world peace. It is one of the major attractions of the city where a lot of people love visiting. It is a two-level structure that looks intriguing with all the details. Shanti Stupa perched on a mountain summit which is why the view from the top is simply astonishing.

People visit here for both reasons; firstly as it is a religious place and secondly it offers amusing views from the top. Shanti Stupa is constructed approximately 3600 m above sea level and is a hub for adventure junkies due to the thrill it offers. It is enjoyable to visit this amazing attraction but you need to keep a few things in mind too. Refer to the last section to know more about it!

Here is the detailed information about Shanti Stupa in Ladakh

A brief history of Shanti Stupa of Ladakh

The history of Shanti Stupa Ladakh speaks a lot about the ideology behind its construction. It was built in 1991 by Gyomyo Nakamura who was a Japanese Buddhist Bhikshu. The motive behind building this structure was to promote world peace and prosperity.

Shanti Stupa in Leh Ladakh was a part of the Peace Pagoda mission and has a lot of religious significance too. Moreover, the structure holds the relics of Lord Buddha in its base. It is believed that these relics were enshrined here by the 14th Dalai Lama.

Highlights of Shanti Stupa

Shanti Stupa in Ladakh is amongst the top-visited attractions of the city. People love to spend some time at this attraction for a lot of reasons. Here are some highlights of the monument:

The breathtaking panoramic view from the summit.
The relics are enshrined in the base of the Stupa.
Dharmachakra
The deity of Gautam Buddha in Golden color.
500 steps to reach the top

Best time to visit Shanti Stupa

The best time to visit Shanti Stupa is between June and September which is also the peak season to visit Ladakh. This is the time when the bright summer sun shines in the clear sky to give a jaw-dropping view of the surroundings.

Apart from this, the best time to visit here is at noon. That’s the time when you get the best view and the most comfortable temperature.

Location of Shanti Stupa Leh

The distance between Shanti Stupa and Leh is approximately 4 km which is from the Leh main bazaar. One can hike up to the monument or take a cab to reach here.

Shanti Stupa timings and price

Shanti Stupa Ladakh is open for tourists between 5 am and 9 pm.
Also, 1 hour is enough to enjoy the beauty around the stupa and the structure.
There is no charge to enter the stupa premises which are divided into two stories.

Best places to visit around Shanti Stupa

Shanti Stupa is not the only place you can enjoy yourself at. There are a few more attractions around the stupa. While you plan on visiting here, if time allows, make sure these places are also on your list:

Sankar Gompa– 1.8 km from Shanti Stupa
The Leh Palace– 2.8 km from Shanti Stupa
Spituk Gompa– 9.4 km from Shanti Stupa
Hall of fame museum- 6.9 km from Shanti Stupa
Gomang Stupa– 2.2 km from Shanti Stupa

If you want to cover all these places you should create your route in the pattern given below. It is a complete circuit and you won’t have to toss between attractions:

Shanti Stupa- Sankar Gompa- Leh Palace- Hall of Fame museum- Spituk Gompa- Gomang Stupa

Rules of Shanti Stupa in Leh Ladakh

You will have to take out your shoes before entering the main stupa area.
There is a fine for people who are found smoking or under the influence of alcohol.
It is important to keep the decorum of the place intact. There are certain rules written on the entry. Make sure you adhere to all of them without a miss.