Alchi

Alchi is a village in the Leh district of Ladakh, India.[2] It is located in the Likir tehsil, on the banks of the Indus River 70 km downstream from the capital Leh. Unlike the other gompas in Ladakh, Alchi is situated on lowland, not on a hilltop.[3]

Alchi
Village
The Indus river valley at Alchi
The Indus river valley at Alchi
Alchi is located in Ladakh
Alchi
Alchi
Location in Ladakh, India
Alchi is located in India
Alchi
Alchi
Alchi (India)
Coordinates: 34.2334°N 77.1625°E / 34.2334; 77.1625
CountryIndia
Union TerritoryLadakh
DistrictLeh
TehsilLikir[1]
Population
 (2011)
 • Total932
Languages
 • OfficialHindi, English
Time zoneUTC+5:30 (IST)
Census code953
"Welcome from Model Village", Alchi, Ladakh. 2010

The Alchi Monastery or Alchi Gompa lies about 65 km from Leh on the banks of the Indus River.[4]

History

The village is famous for the existence of one of the oldest monasteries in Ladakh (a national heritage) Alchi Monastery, mainly known for its magnificent and well-preserved 11th- or 12th-century wall paintings, all in an Indo-Himalayan style.[5] The monastery houses thousands of rare and unique sculptures and paintings back to 11th century Western Tibet.

Demographics

According to the 2011 census of India, Alchi has 145 households. The effective literacy rate (i.e. the literacy rate of population excluding children aged 6 and below) is 72.51%.[6]

Demographics (2011 Census)[6]
TotalMaleFemale
Population932575357
Children aged below 6 years884642
Scheduled caste000
Scheduled tribe712355357
Literates612422190
Workers (all)577420157
Main workers (total)47140071
Main workers: Cultivators1189919
Main workers: Agricultural labourers18414
Main workers: Household industry workers101
Main workers: Other33429737
Marginal workers (total)1062086
Marginal workers: Cultivators64262
Marginal workers: Agricultural labourers361224
Marginal workers: Household industry workers000
Marginal workers: Others660
Non-workers355155200

Alchi is a small village with several tourist homestays, most offering modern conveniences for overnight stays, The best time to visit is from June to September.

References
  1. "Villages | District Leh, Union Territory of Ladakh | India".
  2. "Blockwise Village Amenity Directory" (PDF). Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council. Archived from the original (PDF) on 9 September 2016. Retrieved 23 July 2015.
  3. Schettler, Margaret & Rolf. (1981) Kashmir, Ladakh & Zanskar. Lonely Planet, South Yarra, Vic., Australia, p. 104.
  4. "Alchi Monastery". Incredible India.
  5. Rizvi (1996), p. 60.
  6. "Leh district census". 2011 Census of India. Directorate of Census Operations. Retrieved 23 July 2015.
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