Unknown to the outside world until 1974, when Ladakh was opened up to tourists, Alchi is now one of Ladakh major tourist attractions, renowned as a great centre of Buddhist art. It was built as a monument to the school Spreading - the revival of Buddhism that took place in Tibet in the 11th century, on the basis of religious texts brought from Kashmir. The entire Mahayana Buddhist pantheon of deities is represented within five temples, together with superb paintings of court life, battles and pilgrimages, depicting the costumes, architecture and customs of the time. The assembly hall, known as Dukhang, is the oldest of the five temples and holds some of Alchi's greatest treasures. The beautiful central image of Vairocana, the main Buddha of Meditation, is surrounded by a wooden frame exuberantly carved with dancers, musicians, elephants and mythical animals. It is flanked by four other Buddhas of Meditation. Even more impressive are the six elaborate mandalas painted on the walls, together with small scenes of contemporary life. The space between the mandalas is filled with fine decorative details that have an unexpectedly Rococo look about them. Also Visit - Leh Ladakh Tours In the three-storeyed Sumtsek, the second-oldest temple, are spectacular images and paintings. The temple's most unique features are the gigantic images of Avalokitesvara, Manjushri and Maitreya, that stand in alcoves in three of its walls. Only their legs and torsos are visible from the ground floor, while their heads protrude into the upper storey. From waist to knee they are draped in dhoti-like garments, covered with remarkably animated and sophisticated miniature paintings. It is advisable to take a torch to examine their incredible detail. The Avaloki-tesvara image is covered with shrines, palaces, and vignettes of contemporary life. The Maitreya image has scenes from the Buddha's life painted within roundels, and the Manjushri image depicts the 84 Masters of the Tantra. The three other temples probably date from the late 12th to early 13th centuries, and though they would win acclaim in any other setting, they fade in comparison with the Dukhang and the Sumtsek. The Manjushri Lhakhang has murals of the Thousand Buddhas and an enormous, recently-repainted image of Manjushri. The Lotsawa Lhakhang has rather more austere paintings and images. It is dedicated to the saint Rinchen Zangpo, who was also closely associated with the Thikse and Tabo monasteries. The Lhakhang Soma, the last temple to be built at Alchi, has a profusion of fierce-looking deities on its walls, and scenes showing the Buddha preaching. The Five Buddhas of Meditation Buddhism in the 12th century laid emphasis on the Five Dhvani Buddhas, or Buddhas of Meditation, who feature in several mandalas in Alchi. Each of these Buddhas is associated with a direction and a colour. Vairocana (the Resplendent) is associated with the centre and the colour white; Amitabha (the Boundless Light) with the west and the colour red; Akshobhya (the Imperturbable) with the east and the colour blue; Amoghasiddhi Success) with the north and the colour green: and Ratnasambhava (the jewel-Bum) with the south and the colour ellow. The Five Buddhas of Meditation symbolize the different aspects of the luddhas and the mandalas help devotees to meditate on them. For more Information on Alchi Monastery Ladakh contact Swan Tours one of the best travel agency in India
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January 2018
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