In the cave over the monastery there is a hollow in rock the water level of which never reduces even after taking out any. Trek to phuktal monastery in zanskar sandeepachetans. Phugtal monastery in zanskar, leh phuktal monastery. Ancient origins articles related to phuktal in the sections of history, archaeology, human origins, unexplained, artifacts, ancient places and myths and legends. While trekking being the only means to reach this monastery, it creates a calm and hassleless ambiance with only sounds of nature. The fact of it being built into or around a natural cave on the side of a cliff, like a honeycomb, adds all. 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. Phugtal monastery, northern india places around the world. Sorry, there are no tours or activities available to book online for the dates you.
Phuktal monastery, phuktal monastery in jammu kashmir. The most famous buddhist monasteries in india makemytrip blog. Phuktal monastery archives leh ladakh tour packages, ladakh. 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. Phugtal monastery in ladakh, a legendary cave gompa is tucked amidst the remote and isolated town of phuktal or phugtal. It was primarily built with woods and mud till it was rebuilt about 12 hundred years ago.
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. The brief set a target for the students to document architecture that is constructed with the use of. All supplies are brought by horse and donkey, and, in winter, on the frozen river. Important to the devout worshippers of the holy monastery. 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. 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. I guess thats reflected in the photo and the story. It is today an active monastery where approximately 39 young monks ranging from the age of 5 20 are taught the ways of. History the monastery was established in 12th century by gangsem sherap sampoo. The monastery is inhabited by about 70 buddhist monks, who chose to live inmates. Just make sure to inform the staff beforehand so they can assist you and tell you if there are any rooms available. At 16600 ft and on an expansive snowy field, the phuktal monastery aptly signifies liberation. 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. 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.
It is founded by gangsem sherap sampo in the early 12th century. Phuktal is one of the, if not the most isolated, monasteries of zanskar. Phugtal monastery an offbeat destination in north india. One of the first christian monasteries was founded in egypt in the 4th century by st pachomius. Phugtal monastery or phugtal gompa often transliterated as phuktal is a buddhist monastery. 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.
The river lungnak also known as lingtitsarap river meanders around the foot of the gompa. The waters do not threaten the mud and timber houses that have been there since the 12th century. 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. Oct 03, 20 the final case for documentation was chosen to be phuktal gonpa, after considering all options across india. 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. 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. Phuktal in tibetan means through caves, and the monastery is made up of mud and wood. 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. Its beauty captivates the beholder with sprawling whitewashed complex soaring above the rocky mountains. It is a massive monastery cave which is held high on the steep mountains of zanskar valley. The phuktal monastery was and it still is a preferred place by the scholars and teachers to meditate. We load up or luggage and make the return trip on the same route via anmu, ichar, roru back to padam. Mar 01, 20 phuktalphugtal gompa is a monastery which is located in ladakh north of india.
It is one of the only buddhist monasteries in ladakh that can still be reached only by foot. 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. Almost blending into the rocky mountain around it, the phuktal monastery in zanskar is an amazing sight. Phuktal monastery a place of worship in a cliffside cave. Once across, we climbed a winding, steep path on the adjoining cliff. Journey to phuktal monastery on the backpacking guru itinerary. Jun 17, 2012 the phugtal monastery was founded in the 12th century by gangsem sherap sampo. The phuktal monastery appears to be sprawling out from a huge cave high up in the steep cliff. Phuktal in tibetan means through caves, and the monastery is made up of mud and wood at the mouth of a cave. The most famous buddhist monasteries in india makemytrip. Phuktal monsatery zanaskar beautiful monastery to see in. The library three large and one small prayer room etc and the grave of gangsem sherap sampo who founded phuktal.
The phuktal or phugtal monastery is an isolated monastery situated in the southeast part of zanskar region in ladakh. The highlight of the monastery include numerous clay, bronze, wood and copper statues of buddhist divinities and stupa. Phuktalphugtal gompa is a monastery which is located in ladakh north of india. Established in the 17th century, the bardan monastery was the first one in the zanskar region that belonged to the dugpakargyud monastic order. On the left side, villages of cha and anmu are the only sign of civilisation. Phuktal monastery archives leh ladakh tour packages. Analysis and documentation of phuktal monastery design. 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. Phuktal is a very remote and old monastery of zanskar which is accessible.
It appears like a honeycomb affixed to a cliff, overlooking a gorge of the lingtitsarap river. 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. 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. Phuktalaka phugtal gompa is an ancient buddhist monastery located in the lungnak valley in zanskar region of the union territory of ladakh in india. Phugtal monastery phuktal monastery is a 12 th century monastery situated in zanskar region of ladakh is renowned for its unique construction. Jan 09, 2014 the phuktal monastery is the epitome of monks living high up in the mountains, detached from the rest of the world. Phuktal monastery was the center of meditation, retreat, teaching, and learning in the earlier days, this monastery was the residence of many. Phuktal gonpa is a buddhist monastery located in the remote lungnak valley of zanskar, in the autonomous himalayan region of ladakh, northern india. Phuktal monastery, also known as phugtal gompa, is a buddhist monastery in southeastern zanskar, ladakh in northern india. 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.
Throughout our trek we met people from europe, america and uk. 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. Education is simple and school books are already available. Phugtal monastery or phugtal gompa often transliterated as phuktal is a monastery in southeastern zanskar, ladakh in northern india. In western europe early monasteries followed the pattern set by st benedict of nursia c. Phugtal monastery trek an amazing travel guide for. 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. 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. It is this location that makes it completely different from other monasteries of the zanskar valley. Phugtal monastery phuktal monastery zanskar travel. 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. It has been the place for meditation, teaching, learning, and enjoyment. 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. Stongdey monastery zanskar oldest monastery in the.
Emerging dramatically from a mountain side on the rocky part of a gorge of the lingtitsarap chu, a. Phuktal monastic school, also known as the phugtal monastic school, is set up by the phuktal. The road phuktal gonpa is one of only a few buddhist monasteries in ladakh that can still be reached only on foot. 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.
Trek to phuktal monastery in zanskar sandeepachetans travel blog. The daily life in phuktal gompa monastery, india alekseys. It has three large and one small prayer room whose frescoes are similar to the 11th century ones of alchi monastery. In the rainy season, the already impressive phuktal monastery gains a touch of beauty, with a waterfall between its buildings. 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. Additional history information about phuktal monastery has been collected from. In addition to the history it is steeped in, one of the most striking features of the. All of this made the trek to the phuktal monastery not just offbeat but also an exciting adventure. 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. Phugtal monastery or phugtal gompa is housed in the remotest corner of lungnak valley in the southeastern region zanskar valley, ladakh. 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.
This 11thcentury old monastery is a must visit attraction located about 20 kilometres away from padum. The ever so static dusty brown himalayas and the dynamic turquoise lungnak river below presents such. The phuktal monastery is the epitome of monks living high up in the mountains, detached from the rest of the world. Phuktal monastery was the center of meditation, retreat, teaching, and learning. 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. Visit phuktal monastery on your trip to kargil or india. About 525 benedict founded a monastery at monte cassino in italy. Please practice handwashing and social distancing, and check out our resources for adapting to these times. Media in category phuktal monastery the following 5 files are in this category, out of 5 total. The phugtal monastery was founded in the 12th century by. Also, often termed as phuktal monastery, it is one of the most enchanting sites up there in the entire region. Department of tourism, jammu and kashmir phuktal monastery. 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.
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. Alternatively, you can opt to stay in the monastery itself. It is one of the most enchanting sites in the entire region. Stongday monastery is the second largest and the oldest monasteries in the zanskar region. 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 is distinctively built into a cliffside cave looking like a honeycomb. It is a buddhist monastery located in the southeastern part of zanskar range in the remote valley of lungnak. Phuktal monastery, phugtal gompa also known as phuktal gompa is a buddhist monastery located in a remote himalayan region of ladakh, northern india. 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. Phugtal monastery, information about phugtal monastery.
The remote location of the monastery was ideal for monks looking for peace and solitude to meditate. Also, it is the unique setting of the monastery that lends it the name phuktal meaning through caves. Phuktal monastery is housed in the remotest corner of lungnak valley in southeastern zanskar in the ladakh. 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 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. 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.
Phuktal monastery the monastery resembling a honeycomb. Phugtal monastery is a heritage destination for the peace lovers and those who want to take a break from their daily life. After a night stay at phuktal, there are many hotels and home stays here for trekkers. 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. The suspension bridge is adorned with colorful prayer flags which gives off peaceful vibes. Phuktal monastery waterfall passes between monastery. The only way to get to phuktal is by foot, but you. Famous in phuktal monastery are the ancient frescoes which adorn the ceiling of the old chapel.
The daily life in phuktal gompa monastery, india aleksey. 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. It was collected from the answers of monks, students, teachers and my own observation. Phuktal monastery is like a honeycomb, cut into a rock under a gignantic grotto and has more than 70 monks. At 16,600 ft and on an expansive snowy field, the phuktal monastery aptly signifies liberation. It is situated on the mouth of a cave on the cliff face of a lateral gorge of.
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