The short answer
Diskit Monastery & Maitreya Buddha: what visitors should know first
Yes, this is the valley's main sight and worth about two hours. Climb to the monastery's prayer halls if you can manage a steep short climb, and visit the Maitreya statue separately; both give wide views, but neither has a lift, so pace yourself at this altitude.
History and context
The story behind Diskit Monastery & Maitreya Buddha
Diskit Monastery was founded in the 14th century by Changzem Tserab Zangpo, a disciple of Tsong Khapa, the founder of the Gelugpa school of Tibetan Buddhism. It has remained the principal monastery of Nubra Valley since, with a resident community of monks and a set of prayer halls housing statues, murals and ceremonial objects built up over centuries.
The 32-metre Maitreya Buddha statue on the slope below the monastery was built between 2006 and 2010 and inaugurated by the 14th Dalai Lama on 25 July 2010. The monastery describes its purpose as the protection of Diskit village, the prevention of further conflict with Pakistan, and world peace, a reminder of the valley's position on a sensitive border.
Useful facts
Diskit Monastery & Maitreya Buddha facts at a glance
- Location
- Above Diskit village, Nubra Valley
- Faith
- Tibetan Buddhism, Gelugpa (Yellow Hat) order
- Deity/dedication
- Maitreya Buddha statue; Cho Rinpoche in the prayer hall
- Visitor note
- Modest dress; shoes off in prayer halls; ask before photographing
- Built
- Monastery, 14th century; Maitreya statue, 2006-2010
Why it matters
Why Diskit Monastery & Maitreya Buddha is worth your time
Diskit is the oldest and largest monastery in Nubra Valley, founded in the 14th century by Changzem Tserab Zangpo, a disciple of the reformer Tsong Khapa, and it belongs to the Gelugpa or Yellow Hat order that also runs many of Ladakh's best-known gompas. For centuries it has been the valley's main religious centre, and its February festival, Dosmoche, still draws lamas from the wider region for masked dances meant to drive out misfortune for the coming year.
The Maitreya statue is a newer addition but tells its own story about the valley's history: it was raised, in part, in the years after fighting with Pakistan in this border region, explicitly framed as a monument to protection and peace rather than only a religious commission. Seeing the statue alongside the older monastery gives a sense of how a living religious site keeps adding to itself rather than staying frozen at one moment in its past.
Highlights
What not to miss
- 01
The Maitreya Buddha statue
At 32 metres, it's one of the tallest Buddha statues in Ladakh, inaugurated by the Dalai Lama in 2010, and visible from much of the valley floor.
- 02
The prayer halls
Older murals, a huge ceremonial drum and images of guardian deities fill the main hall, alongside the revered Cho Rinpoche statue.
- 03
The Dosmoche festival
Held each February, this masked-dance festival is one of Nubra's most distinctive religious events, though winter travel to see it is demanding.
Plan your visit
How to experience it
Diskit Monastery sits on a spur above the village, and the approach itself is part of the experience: a steep lane climbs past prayer wheels and a scatter of smaller shrines before reaching the main courtyard. Inside, the prayer halls hold a large image of Cho Rinpoche, the crowned Buddha, along with older murals and fierce guardian deities typical of Gelugpa gompas across Ladakh. A resident monk or caretaker will usually let you in and point out the main images if you ask.
The other half of the visit is a separate stop a short drive or walk below the monastery: the 32-metre Maitreya Buddha statue, completed in 2010 and inaugurated by the Dalai Lama. It faces down the valley toward Pakistan, built partly, according to the monastery, for the protection of the village and for peace. The statue's base has a small viewing platform with wide views over Diskit's fields and the Shyok riverbed, an easier stop for anyone who can't manage the monastery's steps.
Visit both in the morning if you can. Light is better for photographs, the courtyards are quieter, and you'll have finished before the midday heat makes the climb harder.
Plan with confidence
Visit as a guest, not a spectator.
- Wear clothes that cover shoulders and knees before entering the halls
- Remove shoes at the prayer hall entrance and carry socks if the stone floor is cold
- Ask before photographing inside; rules vary by hall and by monk on duty
- Visit the statue separately if the monastery's climb is too much; it's the easier stop
- Go in the morning for quieter courtyards and better light
Know before you go
Timing, access and comfort
- Area
- Above Diskit village, Nubra Valley, about 115 km from Leh
- Time needed
- 1.5-2 hours for both the monastery and the statue
- Best time
- Morning, before the light flattens and before day-trip groups arrive
- Walking level
- Demanding
- Senior comfort
- Uneven stone steps and a steep approach lead to the monastery; the statue's path is a shorter, gentler paved climb. Neither has a lift or much seating, so allow extra time and rest stops; a stick or a companion's arm helps on the monastery steps.
- Tickets and access
- A small entry fee is collected at the monastery; photography inside the prayer halls is often restricted, so ask first. Modest dress (covered shoulders and knees) is expected, and shoes come off before entering the halls.
Best for
Plan it with
Plan the practical part
Hotels near Diskit Monastery & Maitreya Buddha
Staying close keeps journeys short — useful for early starts and for anyone who tires quickly.
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Travelling with parents?
Uneven stone steps and a steep approach lead to the monastery; the statue's path is a shorter, gentler paved climb. Neither has a lift or much seating, so allow extra time and rest stops; a stick or a companion's arm helps on the monastery steps.
Raahzo can arrange an arrival or day companion who handles tickets, queues and pacing, and keeps the family updated.
See concierge supportFAQs
Can I visit both the monastery and the Maitreya statue?
Yes, they're a short drive or walk apart, and most itineraries treat them as one stop with two parts. The statue's platform is the easier of the two if steps are a concern.
Is Diskit Monastery difficult to climb for older visitors?
The approach is a steep lane with uneven stone sections and no lift, so it suits reasonably mobile visitors. If steps are hard, seeing the statue's viewing platform instead is a good alternative.
What is the Dosmoche festival?
It's Diskit Monastery's main annual festival, held in February, with masked dances performed by lamas intended to ward off misfortune for the year ahead. Travel to Nubra in winter is difficult, so few outside visitors attend.
Sources and further reading
Timings, fees and access rules change. Recheck with the official source before you travel.