Tirtha Atlas

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

1126 sites15 countries4 traditions30 centuries
High medieval · Buddhist · India

Likir Monastery

Likir, Leh, Ladakh · 34.2767°, 77.2150°

Maitreya, with images of Shakyamuni and Amitabha (Gelug order)Gelug, originally KadampaTibetan gompa
Sacred since
1065 CE
first attestation / structure
Standing structure
founded 1065; reformed to Gelug in the 15th c.
Gelug, originally Kadampa

History & significance

Founded in 1065 by Lama Duwang Chosje at the order of Lhachen Gyalpo, the fifth king of Ladakh, and turned from the Kadampa to the Gelug order in the fifteenth century by Lama Lha-dbang-chos-rje. About 120 monks live there and it is run under the Central Institute of Buddhist Studies.

Sthala katha — the legend

The name Lu-khyil, coiled by water spirits, is said to come from the nagas that once lived at the site.

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Sources

coordinates: wikipedia-2026-08-27 · sources retrieved 2026-08-26 · dynasty page: Gelug, originally Kadampa