Founded in the 10th century, Lamayuru monastery is the oldest spiritual center of Ladakh in Northern India. Although mostly in ruins, it remains unsurpassed in the sheer grandeur of its wood carvings, statues and frescoes depicting guardian divinities and symbolism varying from the benign to wrathful to serene. Tibetan Buddhist art invites contemplation of those aspects of our being which usually remain hidden, thus encouraging the viewer towards self-realization.