Spituk

Spituk, also spelled Spitok, is a village in the Leh district of the union territory of Ladakh, India. It lies about 8 kilometers northwest of Leh, perched on a hill above the Indus River, offering views over the town and the surrounding valley. The settlement is best known for the Spituk Monastery (Spituk Gompa), a historic Buddhist monastery that is a prominent religious site in the region.

The monastery dates from the 11th century and is traditionally attributed to Rinchen Zangpo, the translator who helped establish Buddhism in western Ladakh. The complex has undergone later renovations and expansions and is associated with the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism. It has long served as a monastic center and a local religious hub, preserving important religious artifacts.

Within the monastery complex, shrines to various deities are preserved, along with statues, thangkas, and ceremonial objects used in daily monastic practice. The complex houses a collection of ritual objects and serves as a venue for ceremonies and teaching.

One of the region’s best-known festivals is the Spituk Gustor, a two-day masked dance held in winter to ward off malevolent spirits and to honor the monastery’s guardian deities.

Today, Spituk is a popular destination for visitors to Ladakh. It is accessible by road from Leh and is often included in itineraries that explore the Indus valley and Leh’s surrounding landscapes. The site offers panoramic views and insight into Ladakh’s Buddhist heritage.