Chokhang Vihara (also called Gompa Soma or Chowkhang Vihara) is a prominent modern Buddhist temple in the heart of Leh town, located near the Main Bazaar opposite the main branch of the State Bank of India. It serves as the headquarters of the Ladakh Buddhist Association and is an active centre for prayer, community events and cultural activities. The foundation stone for the Chokhang complex was laid under the guidance of H.E. Bakula Rinpoche in 1957; local builders and artisans from Leh contributed to its construction and ornamentation. In recent years the temple has also been part of high-profile visits and civic ceremonies, including events attended by senior Buddhist leaders.
Chokhang Vihara blends traditional Tibetan Buddhist architectural motifs with 20th-century construction. The prayer hall contains finely decorated statues and thangka paintings; the principal Buddha image (often referred to locally as a crowned Jowo / Shakyamuni image) and statues of Padmasambhava are important devotional focuses inside the vihara. The calm courtyard and prayer hall provide a meditative refuge from the bustle of the bazaar.
