The most beautiful religious buildings North India

Altitude : 3 500 m. Founded in the ^11th century, the monastery of Stongdey is the largest in Zanskar after that of Karsha. About sixty monks of Gelukpa obedience live there. Beautiful mural paintings decorate the interior walls of the gompa. It hosts the Gustor festival at the end of the ^11th month of the Tibetan calendar. On this occasion, the monks dance and celebrate the reincarnation of Nari Tulku, a local deity. From Padum, allow 4 good hours of walking to reach the village. The most tiring is the final climb to the monastery.

A 2 hour walk will take you to the Karsha Gompa, or Karsha Chamspalling, 7 km from Padum. An excellent opportunity to discover the surroundings and to warm up for a longer trek. This white monastery clinging to a steep mountain is the largest in Zanskar, it was built in the ^10th century and houses about 150 monks. Every day, a bus connects Karsha and Padum. It is possible to be accommodated in Karsha, the pensions propose rooms from 600 Rs the night. There are notably the guesthouses Thieur and Thinkuling. Do not be demanding on the comfort.

This Hindu temple, perched on a mountain, offers a magnificent view on sunny days. The end of the ascent - a little arduous - is done on foot. Besides, there are shops of fruit, fresh drinks and trinkets.

Many buses link the temple to Anandpur Sahib. By car, a 50 Rs tax is required to pass the border between the two states.