Stongdey Monastery, Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Kargil, India
Stongdey Monastery is a Tibetan Buddhist monastery in the Zanskar valley, Kargil district, in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir, built on a rocky hillside at around 3,600 meters above sea level. It consists of seven temples, the main one called Tshogs-khang, decorated with black and gold paintings, while the other buildings step up along the cliff face.
The monastery was founded in 1052 by Lama Marpa Lotsawa, a student of the Indian teacher Naropa, who played a key role in spreading Buddhism across the Himalayas. Around 400 years after its founding, it shifted to the Gelugpa school, which it has followed ever since.
Stongdey is one of the few monasteries in the Zanskar region that follows the Gelugpa school, the same tradition practiced in Lhasa. The monks living here come mostly from nearby villages, and their daily routines of prayer and study shape the rhythm of life in this remote valley.
The monastery sits above Padum and is reached by a steep footpath, so sturdy shoes are a good idea before you start the climb. The road to Zanskar is generally open from June to September, which is the most practical window for a visit.
During the Gustor Festival, held in the eleventh month of the Tibetan calendar, monks perform masked dances that act out Buddhist stories. The festival draws monks from remote communities across the region who rarely gather together at other times of the year.
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