[1] Sankar Monastery consists of a relatively modern, attractive cluster of buildings set amongst trees above the town, in the lee of Khardung La,[2] a 5,359 m (17,582 ft) pass behind Leh leading to the Shyok and Nubra Valleys.

Visiting hours to the monastery are limited to early morning and evening because fewer than twenty monks live there permanently.

Climbing the steps one reaches the double doors leading into the dukang (du khang) or assembly hall.

Upstairs is the Dukar Lhakang ("residence of the deity") or inner sanctuary, where there is a figure of Avalokiteśvara, or Chenrézik (Tibetan: སྤྱན་རས་གཟིགས), with 1,000 arms, all holding weapons, and 1,000 heads.

[3] A lama from Sankar Monastery visits the mid-sixteenth century fort at Namgyal Tsemo, the peak above Leh, every morning and evening to maintain the temples associated with the fort and light the butter-lamps.