A monastery in time is the first book to describe the life of a mongolian buddhist monasterythe mergen monastery in inner mongoliafrom inside its walls. Phuktal in tibetan means through caves, and the monastery is made up of mud and wood. Jan, 2018 the lungnak river runs aside this monastery. Trek to phuktal monastery in zanskar sandeepachetans travel blog. Phugtal monastery in ladakh, a legendary cave gompa is tucked amidst the remote and isolated town of phuktal or phugtal. Phugtal monastery in zanskar, leh phuktal monastery. We would like to let you know that until the end of the declared state of emergency, the holy monastery of rila, as well as the church with the relics of st. Phuktal monastery the monastery resembling a honeycomb. Built around a natural cave believed to have been visited by important sages, scholars and translators beginning around 2,550 years ago, the present phuktal gonpa of the gelug lineage. Jan 09, 2014 the phuktal monastery is the epitome of monks living high up in the mountains, detached from the rest of the world. A trek to phugtalphuktal monastery far, far, away, in the tucked up folds of the majestic himalayas, lies the remotest valley of india, the zanskar valley in ladakh district.
It is situated on the mouth of a cave on the cliff face of a lateral gorge of. Phuktalaka phugtal gompa is an ancient buddhist monastery located in the lungnak valley in zanskar region of the union territory of ladakh in india. One of the first christian monasteries was founded in egypt in the 4th century by st pachomius. It is today an active monastery where approximately 39 young monks ranging from the age of 5 20 are taught the ways of.
Phuktal monastery was the center of meditation, retreat, teaching, and learning in the earlier days, this monastery was the residence of many. Phugtal monastery or phugtal gompa often transliterated as phuktal is a monastery in southeastern zanskar, ladakh in northern india. Phuktal monastery a place of worship in a cliffside cave. Counted as one of the only buddhist monasteries in leh ladakh that is accessible only by foot, the phugtal monastery is nestled on the cliffside next to the river lungnak. While trekking being the only means to reach this monastery, it creates a calm and hassleless ambiance with only sounds of nature. It is one of the only buddhist monasteries in ladakh that can still be reached only by foot. Set in a distant corner of zanskar valleyat a height of 3,800 meters above sea levelin ladakh, jammu and kashmir, phuktal monastery embodies the spirit of a buddhist monks life calm, contained. The remote location of the monastery was ideal for monks looking for peace and solitude to meditate. Phuktal monastery, a buddhist monastery located in the remote lungnak valley in southeastern zanskar, in the autonomous himalayan region of ladakh, in northern india. Just make sure to inform the staff beforehand so they can assist you and tell you if there are any rooms available.
Also, it is the unique setting of the monastery that lends it the name phuktal meaning through caves. I guess thats reflected in the photo and the story. Oct 03, 20 the final case for documentation was chosen to be phuktal gonpa, after considering all options across india. Apr 06, 2020 phuktal aka phugtal gompa is an ancient buddhist monastery located in the lungnak valley in zanskar region of the union territory of ladakh in india. The phuktal monastery is the epitome of monks living high up in the mountains, detached from the rest of the world. Nov 25, 2015 the daily life in phuktal gompa monastery, india please note that most of the information gathered here is based on my visit to phuktal monastery in the fall of 2015. Stongday monastery is the second largest and the oldest monasteries in the zanskar region. A road will be built to phuktal within 3 to 4 years, but for now, it is still a days walk from dorzang, the end of the road leading from padum. About 525 benedict founded a monastery at monte cassino in italy.
The library three large and one small prayer room etc and the grave of gangsem sherap sampo who founded phuktal. Founded by gangsem sherap sampo in the early 12th century, the monastery is a unique construction built into the cliffside like a honeycomb. The suspension bridge is adorned with colorful prayer flags which gives off peaceful vibes. Emerging dramatically from a mountain side on the rocky part of a gorge of the lingtitsarap chu, a. Whats interesting about it is that its one of the very few monasteries in the himalayan region that can only be reached on foot fall of 2015.
It is a buddhist monastery located in the southeastern part of zanskar range in the remote valley of lungnak. Established in the 17th century, the bardan monastery was the first one in the zanskar region that belonged to the dugpakargyud monastic order. It is a massive monastery cave which is held high on the steep mountains of zanskar valley. The phuktal monastery appears to be sprawling out from a huge cave high up in the steep cliff.
Alternatively, you can opt to stay in the monastery itself. It is today an active monastery where approximately 39 young monks ranging from the age of 5 20 are taught the ways of buddhism by senior lamas and monks. Sorry, there are no tours or activities available to book online for the dates you. It appears like a honeycomb affixed to a cliff, overlooking a gorge of the lingtitsarap river. In the cave over the monastery there is a hollow in rock the water level of which never reduces even after taking out any. It is founded by gangsem sherap sampo in the early 12th century. The remotest of the remote is the site of the isolated town of phugtal or phuktal, home to legendary cave monastery, located on the cliffside next to the river lungnak.
Founded by a tibetan buddhist monk phugtal monastery has about 70 monks in residence and is a popular pilgrimage for followers of tibetan buddhism as well. Stongdey monastery zanskar oldest monastery in the. It is believed that the monks who used to pass through this area used to use the cave for shelter and the river water to quench thirst. The phuktal or phugtal monastery is an isolated monastery situated in the southeast part of zanskar region in ladakh. The road phuktal gonpa is one of only a few buddhist monasteries in ladakh that can still be reached only on foot. The river lungnak also known as lingtitsarap river meanders around the foot of the gompa. Early monasteries an encyclopedia of world history. Mar 01, 20 phuktalphugtal gompa is a monastery which is located in ladakh north of india. In addition to the history it is steeped in, one of the most striking features of the. Phugtal monastery was founded by gangsem sherap sampo, a tibetan buddhist guru in the early 12th century, the monastery is a unique construction built into the cliff side like a honeycomb. Phugtal monastery, information about phugtal monastery.
The ever so static dusty brown himalayas and the dynamic turquoise lungnak river below presents such. Also, often termed as phuktal monastery, it is one of the most enchanting sites up there in the entire region. Ancient origins articles related to phuktal in the sections of history, archaeology, human origins, unexplained, artifacts, ancient places and myths and legends. Throughout our trek we met people from europe, america and uk. Phuktal monsatery zanaskar beautiful monastery to see in. Phuktal monastery, phuktal monastery in jammu kashmir. Phuktal monastery was the center of meditation, retreat, teaching, and learning. Phugtal monastery, northern india places around the. Analysis and documentation of phuktal monastery design.
Phugtal monastery or phugtal gompa is housed in the remotest corner of lungnak valley in the southeastern region zanskar valley, ladakh. The most famous buddhist monasteries in india makemytrip blog. This 11thcentury old monastery is a must visit attraction located about 20 kilometres away from padum. Phugtal or phuktal gompa or monastery, a significant buddhist monastery located in the lungnak valley that too very remotely from the main town and this one is reachable only by walking. Phuktal monastery, also known as phugtal gompa, is a buddhist monastery in southeastern zanskar, ladakh in northern india. Additional history information about phuktal monastery has been collected from.
The phugtal monastery was founded in the 12th century by. The brief set a target for the students to document architecture that is constructed with the use of. All of this made the trek to the phuktal monastery not just offbeat but also an exciting adventure. Almost blending into the rocky mountain around it, the phuktal monastery in zanskar is an amazing sight. Phuktal is a very remote and old monastery of zanskar which is accessible. Phuktal monastery archives leh ladakh tour packages, ladakh. At 16600 ft and on an expansive snowy field, the phuktal monastery aptly signifies liberation. The remotest of the remote is the site of the isolated town of phugtal or phuktal, home to legendary cavemonastery, located on the cliffside next to the river lungnak. Jun 17, 2012 the phugtal monastery was founded in the 12th century by gangsem sherap sampo. Phugtal monastery trek an amazing travel guide for. Inside the cave which dominates the cliff face is the specialty of phuktal monastery, a sacred spring which is protected by the spirit of the guru rimpoche.
Aug 24, 2017 emerging dramatically from a mountain side on the rocky part of a gorge of the lingtitsarap chu, a major tributary of the zanskar river, is the magnificent buddhist monastery, phuktal. Trek to phuktal monastery in zanskar sandeepachetans. Jan 08, 2014 phugtal monastery or phugtal gompa often transliterated as phuktal is a buddhist monastery located in the remote lungnak valley in southeastern zanskar, in the autonomous himalayan region of ladakh, in northern india. Phuktal monastery, phugtal gompa also known as phuktal gompa is a buddhist monastery located in a remote himalayan region of ladakh, northern india. Phuktal in tibetan means through caves, and the monastery is made up of mud and wood at the mouth of a cave. The highlight of the monastery include numerous clay, bronze, wood and copper statues of buddhist divinities and stupa. Phuktal monastery is housed in the remotest corner of lungnak valley in southeastern zanskar in the ladakh. Phuktal gompa sits on the right bank of the lungnak river, s o we had to cross over on a rope bridge, which gave us the opportunity to stand over the raging waters and soak in the atmosphere. The only way to get to phuktal is by foot, but you. The phuktal monastery was and it still is a preferred place by the scholars and teachers to meditate. All supplies are brought by horse and donkey, and, in winter, on the frozen river. Phugtal monastery or phugtal gompa often transliterated as phuktal is a buddhist monastery.
Location phuktal, zanskar ranges, kashmir year 20 project description the lik competition in 2012 had a focus to study the unique and diverse relationship of earth and architecture, coming from unescos initiative of the unesco earth charter. Suspending from the tip of a rocky canyon precariously placed under the opening of a large cave, phugtal gompa was built directly into the cliff side around the 12th century and it is a home for about 70 monks. It is distinctively built into a cliffside cave looking like a honeycomb. Phuktal monastic school, also known as the phugtal monastic school, is set up by the phuktal. It is this location that makes it completely different from other monasteries of the zanskar valley. It has three large and one small prayer room whose frescoes are similar to the 11th century ones of alchi monastery. After a night stay at phuktal, there are many hotels and home stays here for trekkers. Visitors that make the trek will find there are many things to do in phuktal monastery.
Jun 12, 2014 one such surprise that ladakh has in store for us is the phuktal monastery also called as phugtal, a buddhist gompa that resembles a honeycomb. The daily life in phuktal gompa monastery, india aleksey. Phuktal gonpa is a buddhist monastery located in the remote lungnak valley of zanskar, in the autonomous himalayan region of ladakh, northern india. The daily life in phuktal gompa monastery, india alekseys. Aug 07, 2017 ancient origins articles related to phuktal in the sections of history, archaeology, human origins, unexplained, artifacts, ancient places and myths and legends. Phuktal monastery or phugtal gompa is a buddhist monastery located in the remote lungnak valley in southeastern zanskar, in the autonomous himalayan region of ladakh, in northern india. Phuktal monastery waterfall passes between monastery. Famous in phuktal monastery are the ancient frescoes which adorn the ceiling of the old chapel. A trek to phugtal phuktal monastery far, far, away, in the tucked up folds of the majestic himalayas, lies the remotest valley of india, the zanskar valley in ladakh district. Education is simple and school books are already available.
In western europe early monasteries followed the pattern set by st benedict of nursia c. The monastery is inhabited by about 70 buddhist monks, who chose to live inmates. Aug 09, 2016 trek to phuktal monastery if you want to see and experience one of the most beautiful and majestic monasteries on our planet and need some info about phuktal, youre in the right place. It is one of the most enchanting sites in the entire region. Its beauty captivates the beholder with sprawling whitewashed complex soaring above the rocky mountains. The essential things for the monastery will be carried by animals during summer days and during winter they will be transported through the frozen zanskar river. Phugtal monastery is a heritage destination for the peace lovers and those who want to take a break from their daily life.
The fact of it being built into or around a natural cave on the side of a cliff, like a honeycomb, adds all. Phuktal is one of the, if not the most isolated, monasteries of zanskar. Department of tourism, jammu and kashmir phuktal monastery. One such surprise that ladakh has in store for us is the phuktal monastery also called as phugtal, a buddhist gompa that resembles a honeycomb. Phugtal monastery phuktal monastery zanskar travel. It was collected from the answers of monks, students, teachers and my own observation. Emerging dramatically from a mountain side on the rocky part of a gorge of the lingtitsarap chu, a major tributary of the zanskar river, is the magnificent buddhist monastery, phuktal. The phuktal monastery is built around a natural cave, which is believed to have been visited by numerous sages, scholars, translators, and monks around 2,550 years ago. Phuktal monastery is like a honeycomb, cut into a rock under a gignantic grotto and has more than 70 monks. As its name suggests phug means cave, the honeycomblike phugtal monastery, home to more than 70 monks, stands at the opening of a large cave on a cliff above the tsarap river. Phugtal monastery an offbeat destination in north india. Phuktal monastery archives leh ladakh tour packages. At 16,600 ft and on an expansive snowy field, the phuktal monastery aptly signifies liberation.
Phugtal monastery phuktal monastery is a 12 th century monastery situated in zanskar region of ladakh is renowned for its unique construction. The waters do not threaten the mud and timber houses that have been there since the 12th century. It has been the place for meditation, teaching, learning, and enjoyment. We load up or luggage and make the return trip on the same route via anmu, ichar, roru back to padam. The daily life in phuktal gompa monastery, india please note that most of the information gathered here is based on my visit to phuktal monastery in the fall of 2015. Once across, we climbed a winding, steep path on the adjoining cliff. In the rainy season, the already impressive phuktal monastery gains a touch of beauty, with a waterfall between its buildings. The project included a visit to the precarious and remote monastery, by a team of students from the college and manually documenting and analyzing the structure. In the earlier days, this monastery was the residence of many scholars and teachers. Journey to phuktal monastery on the backpacking guru itinerary.
On the left side, villages of cha and anmu are the only sign of civilisation. The most famous buddhist monasteries in india makemytrip. Phugtal monastery, northern india places around the world. It is situated on the mouth of a cave on the cliff face of a lateral gorge of a major tributary of the lungnak lingtitsarap river. Media in category phuktal monastery the following 5 files are in this category, out of 5 total. Phugtal monastery or phugtal gompa often transliterated as phuktal is a buddhist monastery located in the remote lungnak valley in southeastern zanskar, in the autonomous himalayan region of ladakh, in northern india.
It was primarily built with woods and mud till it was rebuilt about 12 hundred years ago. Important to the devout worshippers of the holy monastery. Please practice handwashing and social distancing, and check out our resources for adapting to these times. The phuktal monastery is cut off from civilisation that there are no accommodations just nearby it. Phuktalphugtal gompa is a monastery which is located in ladakh north of india. Visit phuktal monastery on your trip to kargil or india.
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