Ladakh at a height of 9,800 feet surrounded by the Himalayas and Karakoram Range houses incredible monasteries in its folds. On your tour to Ladakh you can spot monks in maroon robes silently climbing their ways to the monasteries.Zongkhul Monastery of Zanskar is the spectacular cave monastery that you will encounter just before the climb for the Omasi-la Pass begins.
About Zongkhul Monastery :
This monastery is directly built on a rock wall with two caves its back. There are about 10 stone houses in front of it. These stone houses from a distance; seem to mix up with the rocks that envelop it. If you want to have a breath taking view, march for about 10 mins from the monastery.
History of Zongkhul Monastery :
Naropa (956-1041 C.E) was a well-celebrated Buddhist yogi of India. He belonged to the Vikramsila University which is in Bihar. It is believed that he utilized one of the two caverns of this monastery to meditate in seclusion. The monastery is built around these caves. The monastery is dedicated to him as well. Close to the entrance of the lower cave, his footprint can be seen in the rock. The monastery holds with pride; several thankas and images of popular Drukpa lamas. There are some frescoes on the cave wall that were fashioned by a painter and scholar of great fame-Zhadpa Dorje, about 300 years ago. It is believed that inside the cave Naropa meditated, there are impressions of Naropa’s ceremonial dagger and staff in the rocks. These belongings of Naropa draw many people to this place. Recently the number of the monks residing in the monastery has dropped but till the sixth decade of the past century, there were about 20 monks who used to reside in the monastery.
There are many people who received enlightenment; are believed to have meditated in the Zongkhul monastery. Some of the eminent names are Dzadpa Dorje, Karmapa, Kunga Choslag, Dubchen Kunga Gyatso, Dubchen Nawang Tsering and the like. Under the guidance of Zanskari yogi-Ngawang Tsering (1717-1794), this monastery became a Kagyu meditation centre.
Attractions at the Zongkhul Monastery :
At the Zongkhul monastery the Zongkhul Huchot festival is celebrated with pomp and show on the 16th and 17th days of the fourth month of Tibetan calendar but unlike other monasteries, there are no mask dances.
The meditation of Naropa made this monastery a significant place of reflection and several mahasiddhas of Zanskar meditated here. The Zongkhul monastery in Zanskar is credited to have numerous blessed shrines in it. There are affluent compilations of valuable artifacts, a Stupa of crystal, an image of Samvara made up of ivory and some texts containing biographies and spiritual songs that were composed by the succeeding mahasiddhas and the like. To have a blissful experience, visit this monastery.
Foundation :
The Zongkhul monastery was founded by Naropa, a celebrated scholar-painter of the monastery. According to legends the two caves of the Gompa was a site for his solitary meditation. The footprint of Naropa are still embedded in the rock.
Highlights of Zongkhul Monastery :
After serving as a meditation site for Naropa, the Zongkhul monastery also became the sacred site of meditation for several other Mahasiddhas of Zanskar like Dubchen Nawang Tsering, Dubchen Kunga Gyatso, Karmapa, Dzadpa Dorje, Kunga Choslag and many more. The historical site is blessed with some majestic temples, built with an exquisite architecture.