STONGDEY MONASTERY

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.