This 12 storeyed monastery is the official residence of the chief lama, and unusually, has houses built below. Thiskey is the largest monastery in central Ladakh and is famous for its 49 ft tall statue of Maitreya Buddha, in the lotus position, built in 1970 and covering two floors of the monastery.
"One day we took an early bus out to Hemis Monastery. On route we had to go through a military road check a few miles from Hemis, of the 26 people on the bus I noted passports of 15 different nationalities. We spent a few hours at Hemis then got the bus back, stopping to spend the afternoon at Thiksey Monastery, where I was able to do some painting and look around. Apart from its romantic setting, perched on top of a rock, its main feature is its huge Buddha where one has to climb stairs to an upper balcony to see the top half.
We had been told there would be another bus back to Leh at 5pm. but it did not arrive, and after waiting an hour we started walking. Suddenly we saw the bus coming and stood in the middle of the road to be sure it stopped. It did, but the bus was so full the driver said to get on the top. We ran round to the back and climbed up the ladder but the top was also full. By this time the bus was going too fast to get off and we had to travel the 12 or so miles into Leh hanging onto the ladder like grim death. I don’t think I have ever been more relieved to get off a bus." - MH
Thiksey Monastery in the Indus Valley
All items are produced from original paintings by Martyn Hanks.
Prints: Size is A4 (8.27" x 11.69"/210 x 297mm). Printed onto high quality 245gsm fine art watercolour paper to give the print an authentic look and feel. Supplied in a textured off white mount size 12" x 16" (305 x 406mm), backed and sealed in a clear cellophane wrap and delivered in a protective carton to ensure it reaches you in perfect condition.
Cards: Size 7" X 5"/178 x 127mm. Packaged in a clear cellophane wrap with a top quality 150gsm self-seal white envelope.