Travelling to
Jaipur
Rajasthan
Loading…Status: Open with a lunch break 13:00-14:00; Hemis Tsechu held 24-25 June 2026.
Supposedly, the largest monastery of Ladakh with at least 150 lamas, but it doesn't look that way. Also notable for a huge painting of the Buddha, which is displayed to the public only once every 12 years - next time will be 2028. The entrance is probably mostly for the museum, b
Supposedly, the largest monastery of Ladakh with at least 150 lamas, but it doesn't look that way. Also notable for a huge painting of the Buddha, which is displayed to the public only once every 12 years - next time will be 2028. The entrance is probably mostly for the museum, but the monastery itself is not special and does not allow for any spectacular pictures. It feels more like a tourist trap, considering the amount of taxis with tourists that ply here—probably their way of paying tribute (and cash) to this monastery.If you are already here anyway and still don't want to go empty-handed, take the service road around the Hemis monastery (avoiding the ticket stand), and head up to Gotsang Monastery in the hills behind—it is a steep 2 km walk.
Within 1 km of Hemis Monastery.
Nine-storey 17th-century royal palace of the Namgyal kings above Leh's old town, with rooftop views over the town.
Castle in Leh, India
Indian Army museum on the Leh-Kargil road on Ladakh's wars, Siachen and local culture.
Historic mosque in Leh Main Bazaar from the late 17th century.
Much more worth it than Hemis, this is an excellent place to visit, a well maintained, active and interesting Geluk (the sect headed by the Dali Lama) Monastery. The two-storey-tall Matreya statue is stunning.
Pure-veg Main Bazaar eatery for North and South Indian thalis, dosas and snacks.
Rooftop wood-fired pizza place in Main Bazaar.
Tibetan restaurant on Fort Road for thukpa, momos, tingmo and the gyakok hot pot.
Old Hanuman temple on Baba Kharak Singh Marg, linked by legend to the Mahabharata. Unusually, its spire carries a crescent moon. It is busiest on Tuesdays and Saturdays.
Hindu temple to Laxmi and Narayan near Connaught Place, built by the Birla family and opened by Mahatma Gandhi. Free entry; no phones or cameras.
Delhi's oldest Jain temple, a red sandstone shrine facing the Red Fort. A charitable bird hospital runs behind it.
Lotus-shaped Baha'i House of Worship in South Delhi, open to people of every faith for silent prayer and meditation. Entry is free.
Vast BAPS temple complex by the Yamuna with a carved stone mandir, paid cultural exhibitions and an evening water show. Phones and cameras are not allowed inside.
Large marble and sandstone temple complex in South Delhi dedicated to Goddess Katyayani. Completed in 1974, it is very busy during Navratri.
Cave monastery in southern Zanskar, a day's trek from the road end at Dorzang.
Ancient Kali temple in South Delhi that gave the Kalkaji neighbourhood its name. It is a major pilgrimage site during Navratri.