Alchi Monastery | Alchi, Ladakh | Best places to visit in Ladakh | Best of Indian Art скачать в хорошем качестве

Alchi Monastery | Alchi, Ladakh | Best places to visit in Ladakh | Best of Indian Art

Alchi (1020AD) - Marvel of Ladakh and Kashmir Alchi represents the pinnacle of Trans-Himalayan art. These magnificent wall paintings, dated between 11th – 13th century AD, are from Alchi monastery located 65 kms west of Leh. King Yeshe Od of Guge and famous scholar Rinchen Zangpo have built 108 monasteries in Tibetan region. Out of these 3 temples were believed to be created in one night – Sumda, Mangyu and Alchi. The Sumtseg, a three storied building is one of the most outstanding artistic creations in Kashmir. It houses 3 colossal statues of Bodhisattvas. The sculpture of Avalokiteshwara stands 4m high and his dhoti is filled with miniature paintings of palaces, temples and royal life. The Alchi murals combine the best of Kashmiri and Tibetian art and provide a rare glimpse of the peaceful coexistence of Buddhism and Shaivaism traditions in Kashmir. It is remarkable that the stone colors used don’t show any sign of fading and glows even after 1000 years. The tallest sculpture of Maitreya stands 5m tall and his dhoti is depicted with 50 roundels showing various episodes of Buddha Shakyamuni. The important paintings show the birth of Price Siddhartha at Lumbini gardens, the young prince undergoing penance, attaining enlightenment at Bodh Gaya, preaching to 5 companions at Sarnath and images of Akshobhaya Buddha. They are breathtakingly beautiful and real. The third giant sculpture of orange hue is that of Manjushri. There are 84 mahasiddhas depicted on his dhoti in chequered squares. On the upper storey above the head of Manjushri is the painting of standing Tara with 8 hands. On the right hand wall of Sumtseg, there are 1000 miniature paintings of Manjushri painted in 5 colours. The central icon is the 4-armed golden Manjushri holding a sword and a book decorated with intricate gold work. This iconic painting of the Lady of Alchi is that of Shyama Tara seated in a sun disc. Note this style of painting where the almond shaped eyes is projected beyond the outline of the face, a style perfected earlier in Ellora and Ajanta. Alchi represents the pinnacle of trans-Himalayan art where beauty and divinity reaches the exquisite levels of Ajanta and South Indian Temples. What differentiates Alchi from other imposing hill top monasteries in Ladakh is that it is small and built in the valley with flat roofs. It’s status as a backwater possibly saved it from being destroyed in the many Mughal and Dogra wars. The cold dry desert of Ladakh has helped preserve the beautiful paintings. However recent rains resulting from climate changes are causing massive destruction to the mud walls & wooden ceilings. Negligence arising out of infighting between monks and ASI is preventing proper restoration work. Visit Alchi before it is too late and lost forever in the wheels of time. How to reach - Alchi can be reached from Leh (66Kms) or Srinagar - Kargil (383Kms). Stay near Alchi or Lamayaru and plan a visit to Alchi and Likir Monasteries. ‪@Traveljit‬ You can watch the beauty of Tabo Monastery here -    • Tabo Monastery - the Ajanta of the Himalayas