Mulbekh Monastery, Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Kargil district, India.
Mulbekh Monastery is a Buddhist religious complex comprising two separate gompas situated roughly 200 meters above the roadside at an elevation of about 3500 meters in Ladakh's mountain terrain. The structures feature traditional stone construction with religious chambers and spaces arranged on the hillside.
The monastery was established around 800 years ago by students of the Tibetan scholar Lotsawa Rinchen Zangpo, who created both monastic centers as part of a broader effort to spread Buddhism across high mountain regions. This founding represented a major moment in the religious organization of the Ladakh area.
The two gompas reflect different periods of Buddhist artistic expression, with decorations and sculptures showing how faith took visual form in this remote corner of the mountains. The site reveals how Buddhist practice became woven into the fabric of mountain communities.
Visitors must climb a steep footpath branching from the Leh-Kargil highway, requiring moderate physical effort to reach the site. The optimal visiting window is June through September when mountain weather conditions stabilize and make access feasible.
The site contains a large stone carving of Maitreya Buddha dating to the Kushan period, featuring inscriptions in ancient Kharosthi script carved directly into the stone. This artwork quietly tells the story of early Buddhist artistic traditions in the region without drawing obvious attention.
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