There might be more impressive, bigger, more ancient, more venerable monasteries in Ladakh than Sankar Gompa [1], but it has been the first one that I've visited in Ladakh.
Hermann Hesse says in his poem “Stufen”: “And there is a magic in every beginning, / Which protects us and which helps us to live.” [“Und jedem Anfang wohnt ein Zauber inne, / Der uns beschützt und der uns hilft, zu leben.] Let's have a look at the magic of Sankar Gompa.
Visiting monasteries in Ladakh,
make sure know
where to find the monk with the key
Though the monastery is located above Leh, it is an easy walk up there as it is well below Khardong-la, of which I have already written [2]. Sankar Monastery is the residence Kushok Bakula Rinpoche, the senior incarnate lama of Ladakh, but who died in the year 2004. He is head of the Gelukpa sect of Buddhism, which you might easily recognize because of the yellow hats. Sometimes the Gelukpa sect is called yellow hat sect, but I think Gelukpa is more appropriate. The monstery itself is 90 years old, but a 500 years old temple also belongs to the complex [3]. Inside you will find wall paintings (new and old), figures, statues (Buddha, Tara, Avalokiteshvara), mandalas, calendars, and so on.
Interior, where the monks sit
to recite sutra and attend ceremonies
A manjusri yab-yum painting depicting
Yamantaka (or Vajrabhairava) with consort 
Gautama Buddha with two disciples
note the offerings including water
Avalokiteshvara (Tibetan Chenrezig)
the boddhisattva of Compassion
Monk chanting and playing several instruments
Drum - details
Avalokiteshvara
1000-armed and 1000-headed
Head (detail)
The monks' quarters - peaceful
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