Shrines of Ladakh - Part II - Shanti Stupa, Leh

 

Entrance of the Shanti Stupa, Leh

In the series I am writing on the Shrines of Ladakh, which I visited with Mantra Yatra, this post features Shanti Stupa, the World's highest monument of peace. The earlier post on the Gurudwara Pathar Sahib can be accessed here.

The beautiful circular platform surrounding the Shanti Stupa

Shanti Stupa, a beautiful white dome of peace is found atop a hill in Chanspa, about five kilometres from the city of Leh. It was built by the Nipponzan Myohoji Buddhist Order of Japan, founded by Nichidatsu Fujii, popularly known as Fujii Guruji, a close associate of Mahatma Gandhi. Fujii Guruji is best known for establishing Peace Pagodas across the world. He arrived in Calcutta in 1931 and spent the next two years, walking across the city, chanting the daimoku while beating a drum. He met Mahatma Gandhi in 1933 in Wardha when he gifted him a statue of the three monkeys, representing see no evil, hear no evil and speak no evil, which have since been associated with Mahatma Gandhi and his doctrine of peace and tolerance. He built the first peace pagoda in Hiroshima and Nagasaki and since then 80 such pagodas have been built through the Nipponzan Myohoji Buddhist Order.

Steps leading up to the main shrine

Considering the sensitivity of Ladakh region spread across the China, Pakistan and Tibet borders and the need for peace, the 19th Kushok Bakula Rimpoche, the Head Lama, who served as the Ambassador to Mongolia, after whom the Leh Airport is named, approached Fujii Guruji, requesting him to build a Pagoda of Peace in Leh. 

The Foundation of the Shanti Stupa was laid on 25th August 1985. While bulk of the construction cost was supported by the Nipponzan Myohoji Buddhist Order, several Ladakhis, including school children came forward to contribute in cash, kind and labour towards its construction. A vehicular road upto the Stupa was sanctioned by the then Prime Minister, Mrs Indira Gandhi, to enable visitors to reach the Stupa comfortably. The Indian Army and the Government of Jammu and Kashmir supported throughout the construction and the Stupa was formally inaugurated in 1991 by the 14th Dalai Lama Tenzin Gyatso to symbolise 2500 years of Buddhism. The majestic Stupa houses Buddhist relics enshrined by him.

Buddha reliefs around the Stupa

The Stupa, at 11,841 feet above mean sea level, stands as the highest Peace Pagoda in the world. It is built as a two-storied structure, with the first level having a central golden image of Buddha with the Dharma Chakra and deer on either side. 

The main image of Buddha with the Dharma Chakra and Deer

The second level has reliefs depicting the birth, and enlightenment of Buddha. The view from the Shanti Stupa is really breathtaking. The stupa is surrounded by a circular platform with lotus symbols and prayer wheels on which is inscribed "Om Ma Ni Pad Me Hum"

Birth of Buddha depicted at the second level

Getting here: Shanti Stupa is about 5 kms from Leh city. There is a road that goes right up to the Stupa after which one has to climb a few steps to reach the shrine. Alternatively one can choose to climb up 555 steps all the way to reach here.

Fighting the demons to salvation

It is believed that the best time to view the Shanti Stupa is early in the morning around sunrise, when the white dome glistens in the early morning sun, creates a serene and ethereal experience. 

Timings: 5 am to 9 pm

The amazing view of he Himalayas from Shanti Stupa