Located in the Trans Himalayan region of India, Leh Ladakh is a spectacular destination in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. Fast becoming the most frequented adventure zone in the world, Leh and Ladakh has a lot to offer for tourists, from age-old Buddhist monasteries to exciting adventure opportunities.Rangdum Monastery is one of the most revered monasteries in Leh-Ladakh.
About Rangdum Monastery :
Rangdum situated 3657 m above the sea level, Rangdum valley is an elliptical expanded plateau surrounded by colorful hills on the one side and glacier encrusted rocky mountains on the other. Rangdum Valley is located at the remotest and most isolated region the Suru valley. Midway between Kargil and Padum (Zanskar), it is a popular night stay for the trekkers to Padum. Panoramic surroundings make it a convenient and foremost choice for camping in the forests of Himalayas and yet being near a road as a precautionary measure. As the sun sets, the ethereal beauty of the valley turns itself to the extreme with flame-colored hills wearing shimmering red snow tops as their crowns. An important trekking base, Rangdum offers 5-day trek Henaskut across the Kanji valley gorge, which is very popular along with shorter treks such as hike up the Penzila Ridge opposite the magnificent Drang-Drung glacier.
Rangdum Valley Attractions :
The Rangdum Gompa of Ladakh is situated near the Zanskar region. A major attraction of the area, the monastery dates back to the 18th century, a Tibetan Buddhist monastery belonging to the Gelugpa sect,. The Ladakh Rangdum Gompa towers above a centrally rising hillock, entrenched around by the bifurcated course of a mountain stream. It houses approximately 40 monks and looks like an ancient fortification that stands as the guardian of a spiritual mountain valley.
The villagers that stay around the Rangdum Monastery of Leh Ladakh are the descendents of the serf-tenants of the monastery. They do not own any land, since, the entire valley including the fields tilled by the villagers- the pastures, hills and even the streams, is the property of the monastery.
One of the major attractions of the monastery is its small museum. It boasts of a rich collection of fascinating Tibetan as well as other relics. The Rangdum Monastery of Leh Ladakh owns the entire valley around it, comprising of the fields tilled by the villagers, the pastures, hills and even the streams. The villagers staying around the monastery are the descendents of the serf-tenants of the monastery and do not have any land of their own.
Trekking Route To Hinaskot/Henaskot :
Rangdum also serves as an important trekking base. The most popular trek from here leads to Henaskut (also spell as Hinaskot) near Lamayuru, across the spectacular gorge of the Kanji valley. This 5-day trek also forms the last leg of the two weeklong trans-Himalayan traverse between Kashmir and Ladakh .
A more adventurous trek from here leads to Kishtwar via the glaciated Valley – a virtual circumlocution of the Nun-Kun massif. Among the shorter treks available, the best is a hike up the Penzila Ridge to camp for a night or two opposite the majestic Drang-Drung Glacier. This rather easy walk offers breathtaking views of the Great Himalayas towards the West.
History :
According to an inscription the monastery was built by Gelek Yashy Takpa during the reign of King Tsewang Mangyul of Ladakh about 200 years ago. Although it is physically in the Suru Valley, it is culturally part of Zanskar. Because one cannot count on crops being harvested due to the brief summer, both the village and the monastery depend on supplies, other than locally produced dairy, brought up the largely barren Suru Valley, or over the 4,400 metre (14,436 ft) Pensi La pass from Zanskar. The monastery is home to about 30 monks and almost as many donkeys.
How To Get There :
By Air: The nearest airports are Srinagar (204 km) and Leh (230 km).
By Road: The region is well connected with Kargil (130 km) and Padum by regular bus service. One can hire a car or jeep taxi from Kargil that takes around seven to eight hours to reach Rangdum.
