Thiksey monastery is perched on a hilltop, and it a replica of Potala Palace. A myth in the history depicts that a traveler drew Potala on an object and the construction of Thiksey monastery was said to be initiated. The monastery has a fistful of festivals. A project called Thiksey Library and Learning Centre was founded in July 2018. Tsongkhapa, the founder of the Gelug School, sent six disciples with a vision to spread the teachings of the new school. Tsongkhapa presented Sherab Sangpo, a small statue and requested to help in spreading Buddhism. The King admired the gift of the statue. And thus a monastery of the Gelug order in Ladakh was being set up.
Thiksey Monastery comprises of four main buildings; they are Tara temple, Maitreya temple, assembly hall and guardian temple.
The assembly hall is the oldest building and monks gather and read prayers in the yellow building. The red building consists of guardian shrines that are mostly covered with a veil, they are unveiled only during the Gustor festival and also when unfortunate events occur in the village. Tara Temple has a large statue of Goddess Tara in the center with her 21 fellow Taras. Maitreya temple is the most alluring temple with its extraordinary Maitreya statue innovated in 1977.
