Tirtha Atlas

The sacred geography of the Indic world — every site mapped, dated, storied, and cited.

1122 sites15 countries4 traditions30 centuries
High medieval · Buddhist · India

Spituk Monastery

Leh, Ladakh · 34.1330°, 77.5146°

Gelug school (originally of the Red Hat order)Ladakh kingdomTerraced hilltop gompa
Sacred since
1000 CE
first attestation / structure
Standing structure
11th c. (founded by Od-de)
Ladakh kingdom

History & significance

A monastery on a hill about 8 km from Leh, founded in the 11th century and converted to the Gelug order in the 15th. Its name, meaning 'exemplary', recalls Rinchen Zangpo's prediction that an exemplary religious community would arise here; some hundred monks live there and a large Kali image is unveiled at the annual Gustor festival.

Sthala katha — the legend

The arhat Nyimagung is said to have blessed the site before the monastery was founded.

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Related sites

Thikse Monastery
Thiksey, Leh · India
15th c. (Palden Zangpo)
Diskit Monastery
Nubra Valley · India
14th c. (Changzem Tserab Zangpo)

Sources

coordinates: wikipedia-2026-08-27 · sources retrieved 2026-08-26 · dynasty page: Ladakh kingdom