21/10/2022
Phugtal Gompa
Lying nestled away in Lungnak Valley in the Himalayas, Phugtal Gompa in northern India is one of the most remote monasteries on Earth. Overlooking the turquoise waters of the Lungnak River, its sprawl of buildings are perched on the side of a cliff in the contested Ladakh region of Kashmir, only accessible by foot.
Built around a natural cave, the Buddhist monastery was founded approximately six hundred years ago, although it attracted countless sages, scholars and monks long before that. While the monastery and its dramatic setting look a treat, its centuries-old customs and traditions live on: it is still home to a monastic school and holds religious festivals throughout the year.