Shanti Stupa, Ladakh

The Shanti Stupa was built by both Japanese Buddhists and Ladakh Buddhists. The original idea belonged to The Great King Ashoka{{cn|date=June 2023}}. Nichidatsu Fujii implemented his idea to modern time as a symbol of peace. The mission of Nichidatsu Fujii was to build Shanti Stupa as a symbol of peace.{{cn|date=June 2023}}

Construction of the Shanti Stupa began in April 1983 under the supervision of Bhikshu Gyomyo Nakamura, and Kushok Bakula, a Head Lama of Ladakh, helped his activities from New Delhi because he was member of the Minority Commission of Govt of India. The project was built with the help of Ladakhi Buddhists, who offered voluntary labour, and financially supported by Japanese Buddhists as well as Indian supporters. The then Prime Minister of India, Indira Gandhi, sanctioned the construction of a vehicular road to the stupa in 1984. The Indian Army continued support during the construction period. The State Government of J&K provided construction materials for this project.{{Citation needed|date=October 2011}} The 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso inaugurated foundation of Stupa in August 1985.{{cite web|url=http://www.buddhist-temples.com/buddhist-monastery/ladakh/shanti-stupa.html|title=Shanti Stupa|publisher=Buddhist-temples.com|access-date=19 October 2009}}

File:Shanti stupa main buddha.jpg

File:Shanti Stupa ( Winters).jpg

The Shanti Stupa features the photograph of the Dalai Lama with the relics of the Buddha at its base. The Stupa is built as a two-level structure. The first level features the central reliicc of Dharmachakra with deer on each side. A central golden Buddha image sits on a platform depicting the "turning wheel of Dharma" (Dharmachakra). The second level has reliefs depicting the "birth" of Buddha, the death of Buddha (mahanirvana) and Buddha "defeating the devils" while meditating.The titles of the reliefs are given on the plaques under the reliefs at the Shanti Stupa. Both levels feature a series of smaller meditating Buddha reliefs.

The Shanti Stupa was built to promote world peace and prosperity and to commemorate 2500 years of Buddhism. It is considered a symbol of the ties between the people of Japan and India.

Since the time of its inauguration, Shanti Stupa has become a popular tourist attraction. According to The Hindu it is the "most famous tourist attraction" around Leh, though its architectural style is different from the Ladakhi style.{{cite news|url=http://www.hindu.com/2005/08/21/stories/2005082100341100.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060412080709/http://www.hindu.com/2005/08/21/stories/2005082100341100.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=12 April 2006|title=Ladakh monuments cry for renovation |last=Luv Puri|date= 21 August 2005|work=The Hindu|access-date=1 December 2009}} The Shanti Stupa overlooks the city of Leh, providing panoramic views of the city, the village of Chanspa, Namgyal Tsemo in the distance and the surrounding mountains.{{cite book|title=Frommer's India|date=4 March 2008|publisher=Wiley Publishing Inc.|location=Hoboken, NJ, USA|pages=524|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qMqBvtL_nI0C&q=shanti+stupa+Ladakh&pg=PT534 | isbn=978-0-470-16908-7}}{{cite web|url=http://www.visitladakh.com/places-to-see/leh-.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191122201140/http://www.visitladakh.com/places-to-see/leh-.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=22 November 2019|title=Leh: Places to see|work=VISITLADAKH.COM |access-date=1 December 2009}} Sunrise and sunset are considered to provide the best views from Shanti Stupa. The Stupa is illuminated with lights at night. The Stupa is open for tourists between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.{{cite web|url=http://www.buddhist-tourism.com/countries/india/temples-monuments/shanti-stupa.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070702132706/http://www.buddhist-tourism.com/countries/india/temples-monuments/shanti-stupa.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=2 July 2007|title=Shanti Stupa|year=2007|work=Buddhist-Tourism.Com|access-date=1 December 2009}}

File:Shanti Stupa on the hills in Leh.jpg

File:Shanti Stupa with nature's tricolor, Leh.jpg

Situated at a height of {{convert|3609|m|ft}},{{cite book|last= Jagir Singh Bajwa, Ravinder Kaur|title=Tourism Management|pages=117|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TVXCiwdwPxsC&q=shanti+stupa+Ladakh&pg=PA117 | isbn=978-81-313-0047-3 | year=2007 | publisher=APH Publishing}} the Stupa is located {{convert|5|km|mi}} from Leh - the former capital of Ladakh - on a steep hill facing the Leh Palace.{{cite book|last= Bhasin|first=Sanjeev Kumar|title=Amazing land Ladakh: places, people, and culture|pages=119–20|chapter=Shanti Stupa|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8IZloNzI8BgC&q=shanti+stupa+Ladakh&pg=PA120 | isbn=978-81-7387-186-3 | year=2006 | publisher=Indus Publishing}} The Stupa can be reached by a drivable road or on foot using a series of 555 steep steps to the hilltop.

• Peace Pagoda
• Bhikshu Gyomyo Nakamura

{{Reflist}}

{{Commons category|Shanti Stupa (Ladakh)}}

{{Buddhist monasteries in Ladakh}}

Category:Buildings and structures completed in 1991

Category:Stupas in India

Category:Tourism in Ladakh

Category:Leh

Category:1991 establishments in Jammu and Kashmir

Category:Buildings and structures in Ladakh

Category:20th-century architecture in India