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{{Short description|Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Alchi, Ladakh, India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=March 2018}}
{{Infobox Tibetan Buddhist monastery
|name = Alchi Monastery
|image = Alchi.jpg
|alt =
|caption = Alchi Monastery
|map_type = India Ladakh#India
|coordinates = {{coord|34|13||N|77|10||E|type:landmark_region:IN-JK|display=inline,title}}
|map_caption = Location in Ladakh
|map_size = 250
|location=[[Alchi]], [[Leh District|Leh]], [[Ladakh]], India
|founded_by =Rinchen Zangpo (958-1055 CE)
| established = 958 - {{start date and age|1055}}
|date_renovated =
|sect =
|lineage=
|dedicated_to =
|head_lama =
|no._of_monks =
|architecture = Tibetan Architecture
|festivals=
|footnotes =
}}

'''Alchi Monastery''' ({{bo|t=ཨ་ལྕི་ཆོས་འཁོར།}}) or '''Alchi Gompa''' ({{bo|t=ཨ་ལྕི་དགོམ་པ།}}, also '''Alci''') is a [[Tibetan Buddhist]] monastery, known more as a monastic complex (chos-'khor) of temples in [[Alchi]] village in the [[Leh District]], under the [[Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, Leh|Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council]] of the [[Union Territory]] of [[Ladakh]], India. The complex comprises four separate settlements in the Alchi village in the lower Ladakh region with monuments dated to different periods. Of these four hamlets, Alchi monastery is said to be the oldest and most famous. It is administered by the [[Likir Monastery]].<ref name=Luczanits>{{Cite book|last= Luczanits|first= Christian|title= Buddhist sculpture in clay: early western Himalayan art, late 10th to early ...|work= The Alchi Group of Monuments|pages=125–127|access-date=2010-01-21|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wcytSDwuWLwC&q=Alchi+Monastery&pg=PA127|publisher=Serindia Publications, Inc|year=2004|isbn=1-932476-02-4}}</ref><ref name=Behl>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.frontline.in/static/html/fl2122/stories/20041105000106500.htm|title=Trans-Himalayan Murals|author=Benoy K. Behl|access-date=2010-01-17|magazine=The [[Frontline (magazine)|Front Line]]: [[The Hindu]]|volume=21 |issue=22|date=23 October – 5 November 2004| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100129234526/http://www.hinduonnet.com/fline/fl2017/stories/20030829000206600.htm| archive-date= 29 January 2010 | url-status= live}}</ref><ref name=choskor>{{Cite web|url=http://www.univie.ac.at/itba/pages/sites/Alchi/Choskhor.html|title=Alchi Monastery: Chos-'khor|access-date=2010-01-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100418162705/http://www.univie.ac.at/itba/pages/sites/Alchi/Choskhor.html|archive-date=18 April 2010|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref> It is 60 west of Leh on Leh-Kargil Highway.

[[Alchi]] is also part of the three villages (all in lower [[Ladakh]] region) which constitute the ‘Alchi group of monuments’; the other two villages adjoining Alchi are the [[Mangyu temple complex|Mangyu]] and [[Sumda Chun]]. The monuments in these three villages are stated to be of "unique style and workmanship’, but the Alchi monastic complex is the best known.<ref name=Luczanits/><ref name=Behl/>

The Dukhang, or Assembly Hall and the Main Temple (gTsug-lag-khang), which is a three-storied temple called the Sumtseg (gSum-brtsegs, literally 'three-storied'), are built in the Kashmiri style as seen in many monasteries; the third temple is called the Manjushri Temple ('Jam-dpal lHa-khang). [[Chortens]] are also an important part of the complex.<ref name=Luczanits/><ref name=Behl/>

The monastery complex was built, according to local tradition, by the great translator Guru [[Rinchen Zangpo]] between 958 and 1055. However, inscriptions in the preserved monuments ascribe the Sumtseg to a Tibetan noble called Kal-dan Shes-rab, and more recent translations of inscriptions in the Sumtseg and Dukhang suggest the Dukhang was built (and thus the complex founded) by an unnamed uncle of patron Tsültrim Ö about a generation prior, no earlier than 1140 CE.<ref name="Behl" /><ref name=":0">Rizvi (1996), p. 243.</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Luczanits |first=Christian |title=Alchi: Ladakh's hidden Buddhist sanctuary |last2=Goepper |first2=Roger |last3=Poncar |first3=Jaroslav |date=2023 |publisher=Serindia Publications |isbn=978-1-932476-97-2 |location=Chicago}}</ref>

The artistic and spiritual details of both [[Buddhism|Buddhist]] and the [[Hindu]] kings of the time in Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh are reflected in the wall paintings in the monastery. These are some of the oldest surviving paintings in Ladakh. The complex also has huge statues of the Buddha and elaborate wood carvings and art-work comparable to the [[baroque]] style.<ref name=Behl/><ref name="Schettler, Margaret 1981 p. 104">Schettler, Margaret & Rolf. (1981), p. 104.</ref> Shakti Maira has vividly explained the beauty of this small monastery.<ref name=high/>

==History==
[[File:Alchi03.jpg|thumb|upright|left|Alchi Monastery]]
The history of the monuments in the Alchi complex and in the other two villages in the Alchi group is not precise, in spite of many inscriptions and texts displayed on the walls.<ref name=Behl/><ref name=choskor/><ref name= "Luczanits p.127">Luczanits p.127</ref> One inscription refers to the foundation of the monastery by a king and a queen, who may appear in [[:File:Royal drinking scene in the Dukhang at Alchi Monastery, circa 1200 CE.jpg|the royal drinking scene]] from the murals at the entrance of the Dukhang, and dated to circa 1200 CE.<ref name=":1">{{cite book |last1=Flood |first1=Finbarr Barry |title=A Turk in the Dukhang? Comparative Perspectives on Elite Dress in Medieval Ladakh and the Caucasus |date=2017 |publisher=Austrian Academy of Science Press |pages=228–229 |url=https://www.academia.edu/35061254}}</ref>

[[File:Royal drinking scene in the Dukhang at Alchi Monastery, circa 1200 CE.jpg|thumb|Royal drinking scene in the Dukhang at Alchi Monastery, circa 1200 CE. The king wears a decorated [[Qaba|Qabā']], of [[Turco-Persian]] style. It is similar to [[:File:Royal drinking scene at the entrance of the western monastery at Manguy, 11th to 13th century CE.jpg|another royal scene]] at nearby [[Mangyu Monastery]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Flood |first1=Finbarr Barry |title=A Turk in the Dukhang? Comparative Perspectives on Elite Dress in Medieval Ladakh and the Caucasus |date=2017 |publisher=Austrian Academy of Science Press |pages=231–243 |url=https://www.academia.edu/35061254}}</ref>]]
[[File:Alchi Rajputs.jpg|thumb|left|Alchi, Mural paintings - Alchi, gsum brtsegs temple, royal falcon scene on the dhotī of a monumental clay sculpture.]]

Traditionally, the creation of the Alchi complex is attributed to the famous scholar-translator [[Rinchen Zangpo]] (958–1055) in the 10th century, along with the [[Lamayuru Monastery]], the Wanla, the Mang-gyu and the Sumda. During the tenth century, the [[Tibet]]an lama-king [[Yeshe-Ö]] of [[Guge]], in order to spread Buddhism in the Trans Himalayan region, took the initiative by allocating 21 scholars to the region. However, due to harsh climatic and topographic conditions, only two survived, one of them the esteemed scholar and translator Rinchen Zangpo who established Buddhist activity in the Ladakh region and other areas of India including [[Tabo Monastery|Tabo Gompa]] in [[Spiti]], [[Himachal Pradesh]], and [[Sikkim]]. During his sojourn there, he also went to the neighbouring countries of [[Nepal]], [[Bhutan]] and Tibet. Zangpo became known by the epithet "Lochen," "Lotsawa Chenpo" or the "Great Translator"; he is credited with building 108 monasteries in the trans-Himalayan region in his quest to disseminate Buddhism. He institutionalized Buddhism in the region; these monasteries are considered the mainstay of [[Vajrayana]] [[Tibetan Buddhism]]. Zangpo engaged [[Kashmir|Kashmiri]] artists to create wall paintings and sculptures in the monasteries he is credited with building; only a few of these have survived. Out of these, the Alchi complex is remarkably well-preserved in terms of both art and architecture, and provides a rich history of both representative not only of Tibetan Buddhist tradition but of Persian styled courtly art. <ref name=Behl/><ref name=Handa>{{Cite book|last=Handa|first=O.C|title= Buddhist Monasteries of Himachal|work=Preface|pages=11–16|access-date=2010-01-18|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rbeRDnz8h7oC&q=Alchi+Monastery&pg=PA165|publisher= Indus Publishing|year=2004|isbn=81-7387-170-1}}</ref><ref name="Rizvi 1996, pp. 219-220">Rizvi (1996), pp. 219-220.</ref>

Despite local tradition typically crediting [[Rinchen Zangpo|Zangpo]] with Alchi's construction, this narrative is disputed based on cross-referenced inscriptions found throughout buildings of the complex. In the Sumtseg (Three-story temple), a partially damaged inscription known as the ''Garland of Butter Lamps'' (translated in full for the first time by Luczanits in 2023, based on Jaroslav Poncar's photographs), details the patrilineal genealogy of Sumtsek patron Tsültrim Ö, including references to an unnamed patrilineal uncle who the Sumtsek is dedicated to. A strikingly similar inscription in both prose and content, mentioning the same paternal uncle, is found in the Dukhang assembly hall, with the inscription itself attributed to Tibetan noble Kal-den Shes-rab. The genealogy found in these sets of inscriptions, corroborated by mentions of the king Wangdé, the late 11th century monarch of [[Guge]], suggests that the Dukhang at Alchi was constructed by the uncle of Tsültrim Ö about a generation prior to the building of the Sumtseg, dating Alchi to (at very earliest) 1140 CE.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Luczanits |first=Christian |title=Alchi: Ladakh's hidden Buddhist sanctuary |last2=Goepper |first2=Roger |last3=Poncar |first3=Jaroslav |date=2023 |publisher=Serindia Publications |isbn=978-1-932476-97-2 |location=Chicago |pages=781-785}}</ref>

Since the monasteries of this period did not belong to any of the established Tibetan schools, they were initially brought under the control of the [[Kadampa]] order. When the condition of the monasteries deteriorated, they were mostly taken over by the [[Gelukpa]] order, with the exception of Lamayuru which was placed under the [[Drikung Kagyu|Drikungpa]] sect. After worship at Alchi monastery ceased for unknown reasons in the fifteenth century, it later came under the Gelugpa sect controlled from [[Likir]].<ref name="Rizvi 1996, pp. 219-220" />

==Geography and visitor information==
Alchi is located on the south bank of the [[Indus River]] at an altitude of {{convert|3100|m|ft}} and {{convert|65|km|mi}} outside of [[Leh]] (to its west). Leh is connected by air from [[Delhi]]. The road approach to Leh starts at [[Manali, Himachal Pradesh|Manali]], a route that is accessible from May or June to October, depending on the snow fall conditions in the valley.<ref name=choskor/><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://traveler.nationalgeographic.com/print/travel-planner/india/ladakh-text |title=Alchi |access-date=2010-01-23 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090914152332/http://traveler.nationalgeographic.com/print/travel-planner/india/ladakh-text |archive-date=2009-09-14 }}</ref> The village is in the high altitude rain shadow area of Ladakh. It is laid out in four settlements on the banks of a tributary of the Indus River. The monastic complex is separate from the other village settlements.<ref name= Luczanits/><ref name=high>{{Cite news|url=http://www.hindu.com/mag/2005/01/23/stories/2005012300610800.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050207131915/http://www.hindu.com/mag/2005/01/23/stories/2005012300610800.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=2005-02-07|title=High altitude art |access-date=2010-01-23|location=Chennai, India|work=[[The Hindu]]|date=2005-01-23}}</ref>

==Structures==
[[File:Image of Kannon in Ladakh 001.jpg|thumb|An image of [[Tara (Buddhism)|Tara]] in Alchi Monastery]]
The monastery complex has three major shrines: the Dukhang (Assembly hall), the Sumtsek and the Temple of [[Manjushri]], all dating from between the early 12th and early 13th centuries. [[Chortens]] are also an important part of the complex. In addition, the Alchi complex has two other important temples, the Translator's temple called the 'Lotsawa Lakhang' and a new temple called the 'Lakhang Soma'.<ref name= Luczanits/> This collection of four small shrines in the Alchi village has been described by ''[[The Hindu]]'':<ref name=high/> {{blockquote|... as a jewel of colours and forms that is so utterly beautiful that the normal state of breathlessness in this high altitude becomes a deep gasp.<ref name=high/>}}
[[File:Sand Mandala, Alchi Monastery, near Leh.jpg|thumb|Sand Mandala, Alchi Monastery, near Leh]]
The artistic and spiritual details of both [[Buddhism]] and the [[Hindu]] kings of that time in Kashmir are reflected in the wall paintings in the monastery complex. These are some of the oldest surviving paintings in Ladakh. The complex also has huge statues of the Buddha and "lavish wood carvings and art-work — almost baroque in style."<ref name=Behl/><ref name="Schettler, Margaret 1981 p. 104"/> [[Shakti Maira]] vividly explains the beauty of this small monastery as "stylistically rendered in an eclectic mix of Tibetan and Kashmiri faces and clothes."<ref name=high/>

===Dukhang===
[[File:Alchi02Manjushri.jpg|thumb|Entrance door portal of [[Manjushri]] temple]]
[[File:Alchi Monastery 07.jpg|thumb|upright|Sculpture in Alchi Monastery]]
[[File:Fresco in Alchi Monastery 04.jpg|thumb|Detail of a fresco]]
Dukhang or the Assembly Hall is at the heart of the monastery complex, where monks perform worship and ceremonies. It is large and ancient, and the original wooden door frame is retained. Many additions were made to the ancient structure during the 12th and 13th centuries. The colonnaded veranda leads to the hall from a front courtyard and frescoes of one thousand Buddhas are depicted in the passageway. The [[Wheel of Life]] and [[Mahakala|Mahakal]] can be seen at the outer gate. The walls of the Dukhang, dedicated to Panch [[Tathāgata]]s, are painted with six different [[mandalas]] that surround the [[Vairochana]], the main deity worshipped in the hall. The mandalas are set among by many paintings of Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, goddesses, fierce divinities and guardians of [[dharma]], and also lesser divinities.<ref name= Luczanits/>

===Sumtseg===
The Alchi Sumtseg in the Alchi complex is one of the most outstanding, but its purpose is not clearly established.<ref name="Luczanits p.128">Luczanits p.128</ref> The Sumtseg (''gSum-brtsegs'') means a three storied building, though small, was built with loam and natural stone (reflected in the bland exterior) in the Tibetan building tradition. However, the luxuriant woodwork columns, facades, walls, clay images and paintings in the interior of the monastery were made by Kashmiri artists.<ref name=high/> The sanctum in the ground floor and the first floor measures {{convert|5.4|m|ft}}x{{convert|5.8|m|ft}} with the niches of {{convert|2.1|-|2.7|m|ft}} width and {{convert|4|m|ft}} height (niches in the main wall are larger in size vis-a-vis the side walls). The niches depict the main images of three [[Bodhisattva]]s (all in standing posture and about {{convert|4|m|ft}} in height) and its associate secondary deities (four in each niche) with two flying goddesses in each niche. Except for the main wooden door on the top floor, which is dilapidated, the rest of the Sumtseg is well preserved in its original form, as built in the early 13th century. The second floor of the building is more in the form of a balcony with a lantern mounting. Image of Maitreya, the largest in size ({{convert|4.63|m|ft}}), is deified on the back wall and flanked by the images of [[Avalokiteshwara]] to its right and Manjushri to its left. An interesting aspect of the elegant drapery ([[dhoti]]s) worn by the deities is the display of different themes printed in different textile patterns; Maitreya's dhoti depicts the life of Buddha, the Avlokiteshwara's dhoti shows holy places and royal palaces and Manjushri's dhoti has adepts (of 84 [[Mahasiddhas]]) printed on it. Iconographically, the deities have a single head with four arms but differently portrayed. Each deity is identified to a different Buddha. Maitreya has a five Buddha crown representing [[Vairochana]]. Avalokiteshwara's crown represents Amitabha and Manjushri's crown represents [[Akshobhya]]. An inscription in the main niche states that the three images are reliquaries representing body, speech and mind-compared to the three bodies of the Buddha-namely, Maitreya denoting the Buddha body of reality, Avolokiteshwara representing pure rapture and Manjushri representing emanational body. In simple terms, they represent the Buddhist concepts of Compassion, Hope and Wisdom.<ref name= Luczanits/><ref name=high/><ref name=Sumsteg>{{Cite web|url=http://www.univie.ac.at/ITBA/pages/sites/Alchi/gSumTseg.html |title=Alchi Sumtseg |access-date=2010-01-23 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040205170318/http://www.univie.ac.at/ITBA/pages/sites/Alchi/gSumTseg.html |archive-date=5 February 2004 }}</ref>

Further, depiction of Buddha's life in textile prints on the dhoti is a unique representation of the cycle of the life of Buddha that is arranged in a reverse sequence. It is in medallion form painted red, with each medallion measuring {{convert|15|cm|in}} over a blue background. 48 scenes representing 41 episodes with five preaching scenes and two scenes of [[punarnirvana]] – all are arranged in pre-determined sequence representing the events in Buddha's life between the last journey in [[Tushita]] heaven and the first sermon in [[Sarnath]].<ref name=Sumsteg/>

Dating of the Sumtseg has been made on the basis of the names of the priests inscribed on the top floor of the structure. The last name inscribed is that of the [[Drigungpa]] school of Drigungpa or Jigten Gonpo (1143–1217) from which it is inferred that Sumsteg was established in the early 13th century.<ref name= "Luczanits p.153">Luczanits p.153</ref>

===Manjushri Temple===
From various analysis of the iconography of the temple compared with that of the Sumtseg and Sumda Assembly hall, it has been inferred that the temple dates to around 1225 AD.<ref name= "Luczanits p.153-156">Luczanits p.153-156</ref>
Manjushri Temple, also called 'Jampe Lhakhang', is built around the four central images of Manjushri (seated back to back) seen on a common platform that is {{convert|5.7|m|ft}} square. Four pillars form the enclosure for the images; the pillars are supported with cross bracing connected to the painted wood ceiling. The paintings on the wooden ceiling are similar to those in the Sumtseg and the two chortens, but are unrefined. Located close to the Indus river, the temple is not well preserved except for wood carvings on the doors and pillars. The Lhotsava or Lotsawa temple to its left side is a later addition. The Manjushri images are on a common pedestal ({{convert|85|cm|in}} high), painted recently to give an overall picture of fright since the decorative scrolls are derived from the tails of [[Makara (Hindu mythology)|Makara]] surrounded by images of animals, gods and symbols. The normal colour attributed to Manjushri images is orange, but in this temple they are depicted with different colours.<ref name= "Luczanits p.153-154">Luczanits p.153-154</ref>

Each of the four images is single-headed with four arms that are adorned with a sword, a book on top of a lotus, a bow and an arrow. Each wall in the shrine is dedicated to a Buddha image. Manjushri is depicted on the main wall, seated on a lion throne; the side walls have images of [[Amitabha]] on the right and [[Aksharabhya]] on the left. The images are set around the central image of Manjushri in a niche in the wall. Manjushri is adorned with jewellery (pearls and other moulded forms) and a crown made of a flower band. In the base of the throne on which the Manjushri image is deified, is a depiction of 'Seven Jewels' and 'Eight Suspicious Symbols' (flanked by lions) enclosed in a square frame that is distinctive. The top of the throne frame has [[Makara (Hindu mythology)|makara]] mountings.

===Chortens===
[[File:Alchi, Chorten, Ladakh, India.jpg|right|thumb|Alchi [[chorten]]]]
[[File:Alchi Monastery (Ladakh), 13th-century chorten interior painted ceiling, 2008.jpg|right|thumb|Photo is of painted ceiling of chorten in the complex, paintings supposed to be of 12th/13th century AD.]]
The earliest recorded Chortens are the Great Chorten and the Small Chorten (stupa) to the early 13th century, following the building of the Sumtseg. These chortens are decorated gateways known locally as 'Kakani Chörten' and 'Ka-ka-ni mchod-rten' that are considered unique to Alchi with historical link to other monuments. More chortens were added between the 13th and 14th centuries. In the Alchi complex, there are also three other chortens, which have ancient paintings.<ref name=choskor/><ref name="Luczanits p.128"/>

==See also==
{{Tibetan Buddhism}}

* [[Three hares]]
* [[All Ladakh Gonpa Association#List|List of buddhist monasteries in Ladakh]]
* [[Tourism in Ladakh]]

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

==Bibliography==
{{refbegin|30em}}
*Kapadia, Harish. (1999). ''Spiti: Adventures in the Trans-Himalaya''. Second Edition. Indus Publishing Company, New Delhi. {{ISBN|81-7387-093-4}}.
*Janet Rizvi. (1996). ''Ladakh: Crossroads of High Asia''. Second Edition. Oxford University Press, Delhi. {{ISBN|0-19-564546-4}}.
*Cunningham, Alexander. (1854). ''LADĀK: Physical, Statistical, and Historical with Notices of the Surrounding Countries''. London. Reprint: Sagar Publications (1977).
*Francke, A. H. (1977). ''A History of Ladakh''. (Originally published as, ''A History of Western Tibet'', (1907). 1977 Edition with critical introduction and annotations by S. S. Gergan & F. M. Hassnain. Sterling Publishers, New Delhi.
*Francke, A. H. (1914). ''Antiquities of Indian Tibet''. Two Volumes. Calcutta. 1972 reprint: S. Chand, New Delhi.
*Sarina Singh, et al. ''India''. (2007). 12th Edition. Lonely Planet. {{ISBN|978-1-74104-308-2}}.
*Schettler, Margaret & Rolf. (1981) Kashmir, Ladakh & Zanskar. Lonely Planet, South Yarra, Vic., Australia.
*Tucci, Giuseppe. (1988). ''Rin-chen-bzan-po and the Renaissance of Buddhism in Tibet Around the Millennium''. First Italian Edition 1932. First draft English translation by Nancy Kipp Smith, under the direction of Thomas J. Pritzker. Edited by Lokesh Chandra. English version of ''Indo-Tibetica II''. Aditya Rakashan, New Delhi. {{ISBN|81-85179-21-2}}.
{{refend}}

==External links==
{{commons category-inline}}
*[https://www.nybooks.com/daily/2018/12/05/the-ravishing-art-of-alchi/ The Ravishing Art of Alchi] at NYRB, 2018
*[https://www.rangan-datta.info/Likir%20Alchi.htm Travel article on Likir & Alchi Monastery]
*''[https://ladakhstudies.org/2024/06/10/new-comprehensive-publication-alchi-ladakhs-hidden-buddhist-sanctuary-available-online-open-access/ Alchi, Ladakh’s Hidden Buddhist Sanctuary],'' 2 vols. Open Access via the International Association for Ladakh Studies
{{Ladakh}}
{{good article}}
{{TibetanBuddhism}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Buddhist monasteries in Ladakh]]
[[Category:Tibetan Buddhist monasteries and temples in India]]
[[Category:10th-century establishments in India]]

Alchi Monastery - Revision history

LizetteGoble at 22:05, 6 May 2026