Shey Palace

 Text and Photographs by Mr. Sachin Vaidya

Shey Palace is world famous for its Sakyamuni Buddha statue (seated) - the height being 7.5 metres! The statue is totally indoors. It is a copper and brass statue plated with gold, silver studded with gems and precious stones. The statue was reportedly built by Nepalese craftsmen.



Shey Palace was built by King Deldan Namgyal around 1650. A board put by Archaeological Survey of India depicts brief history of the Palace.




In addition to Leh Palace (separate post exists in the same blog 'Forts, Palaces, and Mansions of Ladakh'), Shey Palace was used as royal residence. However after defeated by Dogra Rule, the royal family was reduced to a noble family and had to vacate both the palaces; the family built and shifted to Stok Palace (separate post exists in the same blog 'Forts, Palaces, and Mansions of Ladakh') in 1834.

Due to its proximity to Leh (15 km south), Shey Palace is popular among tourists. Shey Palace is much smaller than Leh Palace.



Ruins of a fortress are visible in the following photograph. The ruins may one of the earliest ruins of Ladakh dating to even before the Tibetan invasions of the 9th and 10th centuries.



After getting down the vehicle, tourists enjoy good view of the surroundings.





Shey Palace is more a monastery than a palace now; hence, all religious structures - unique to a Buddhist monastery - are visible.



The exteriors of the Palace are impressive.






A prayer flag and prayer wheel indicate existence of a Buddhist shrine.




Traditional Ladakhi ceiling can be seen at the Palace.



The Palace has the largest Namgyal Chorten (Victory Stupa) in Ladakh, the top of which is made of pure gold.



All old Ladakhi structures have plain exteriors to suit the climate.



Old and new Chorten (Stupa) can be seen in the following photograph:



The same Chorten (Stupa) can be seen in the following panorama:


Another Buddhist religious structure is visible in the vicinity of the Palace.


Another small Buddhist temple (right hand side building) is visible in the following photograph with approach steps; however, we did not visit it.


Following statue is of Chakpa Maylen (religious protector).


 Murals, even though damaged due to ravages of time, provide a glimpse of the bygone era.












Following statue is of Paldan Lhamo (fierce form of Sarasvati = female Bodhisatva of wisdom).


Buddha statues in various poses adorne the shrine.

I visited Shey Palace during May 2010; I hope that it has been maintained as it is.

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