Built to promote world peace and prosperity as well as to commemorate 2500 years of Buddhism, Shanti Stupa is the major attraction in Leh. Perched on the mountain top, this religious place also offers a panoramic view of the city and the surroundings, and thus is a must-see.
This attraction in Leh was built at a part of the Peace Pagoda Mission by Japanese Buddhist Bhikshu. Underneath the stupa is the relic of the Buddha. Sunrise and sunset are considered to be the best time of the day to visit the Shanti Stupa when views from this place to visit in Leh are spectacular. The architecture of Shanti Stupa has been done in a way to make it a two-level structure. On the first level, there is the relief of Dharmachakra with deer on each side and a central golden Buddha image sits on a platform. On the second level, there are reliefs depicting the birth and the death of Buddha and him defeating the devils while meditating. On both levels though, one can see a series of smaller meditating Buddha reliefs.
