HEMIS MONASTERY
Hemis Monastery is the richest monastery in India with its wealthy collection of ancient relics like the stupas made of gold and silver, statues of Lord Buddha made of copper, thangkas, murals and various paintings. It is revered as the largest Buddhist institution in Ladakh region of Indian state of J&K. It has more than 200 branches with approximately 1000monks in the Himalayan region.
The monastery is situated in the foothills of the Indus at a distance of 45 km from Leh, Hemis Monastery is accessible by motorable roads. It is a monastery of Drukpa Lineage of Mahayana Buddhism. The monastery was founded in 13th century. Ladakhi King re-established it in 1672.