Stakna Monastery is located about 25 km from the Leh town and is settled on a hilltop resembling a tiger’s nose. Stakna literally means ‘tiger’s nose’ and offers spectacular views of the surrounding. This remarkable monastery was founded in the late 16th century by a Bhutanese saint, Chosje Modzin.
Stakna Monastery belongs to the Dugpa order, and about 30 monks stay in the monastery. The central image of the gompa is that of the sacred Arya Avalokitesvara. The officials at the monastery are successive reincarnations of the Stakna Tulku who preserve the teachings of the Dugpa order. Other monasteries, namely Mud, Kharu, Bardan, and Sani in Zanskar, are attached to Stakna Monastery.
The main assembly hall, the Dukhang, has a seven feet high chorten made of silver. A statue of Buddha, as well as several Buddhist texts, is found here. The left wall is adorned with three paintings of Tsephakmad (a Buddhist deity), Sakyamuni (The Historical Buddha), and Amchi (the Medical Buddha).
The wall opposite the entrance of the Assembly Hall is painted with three images of a Bodhisattva, Padma Sambhava, and Tshong-san-gompo. Statues of Sakyamuni (Past Buddha), the Present Buddha, and Maitreya (Future Buddha) are also found in the hall. Like other gompas, Stakna also has a throne for the head lama of the monastery.
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