A Unique Look at Alchi Monastery: Treasure of the Himalayas

Alchi: Treasure of the Himalayas © Peter van Ham 2019 / Hirmer.

Considered one of the best preserved Buddhist monastery and temple complex in the Himalayas, Alchi Dukhan lies at 3,500 metres in Ladakh, India.
The monastery is symbol of the spiritual heritage of Kashmir and Western Tibet with thousands of rare and outstanding paintings, murals and sculptures dating back to 11th century.
Only recently His Holiness the Dalai Lama authorized the publication of the artworks inside the majestic temple.
Working in extremely challenging conditions, particularly in the narrow, almost unreachable second and third stories of the Sumtsek, the photographer Peter van Ham collected images of these time-less masterpieces in a memorable book – Alchi: Treasure of the Himalayas.

Pages of the book Alchi: Treasures of the Himalaya by Peter van Ham and Amy Heller.

This unique photographic book, written in collaboration with Tibetan scholar Amy Heller, contains also a foreword by the Dalai Lama.
Following some of the images that have been released for the pleasure of the eyes of passionate admirers of Tibetan culture and art.

A rare depiction of Buddha Maitreya.

Beautiful Dharmapala protector of Alchi monastery.

Representation of the perils from which Goddess Tara saves and protects – Alchi’s Sumtsek panel painting.

Painting of Buddha Amitayus at Alchi temple complex.

Beautiful 11th century mandala. We increased the brightness of the photo to admire the beautiful details.

“One of the finest art books ever produced.” – David Shulman New York Review Daily.
Click on the book cover to purchase this amazing book.

Namaste.