Category: tourist places

Phuktal Monastery, also known as Phuktal Gompa or Phugtal Monastery or Phukthar monastery, is a revered Buddhist site situated in the remote Lungnak Valley of southeastern Zanskar, in the Himalayan region of Ladakh, Northern India. The monastery has long been a symbol of spiritual retreat and scholarly pursuit, nestled within the rugged, picturesque landscapes of the Himalayas. Until the construction of the Nimmu-Padum-Darcha (NPD) road in 2022, Phuktal was one of the few Buddhist monasteries in Ladakh that could only be reached by trekking for several days. Supplies to the monastery were traditionally transported by horses, donkeys, and mules during the warmer months, while in the harsh winters, they were hauled across the frozen Zanskar River. With the advent of the road from Padum towards Chah, the arduous journey was reduced to a day's walk from Village Chah or Village Khangsar. Now, the NPD road extends to Purney village, making it a mere two-hour trek to the monastery. Additionally, a small link road under construction promises to further shorten the trek to just a few minutes. https://discoverlehladakh.in/zanskar-valley-tour-package-from-delhi.htm Phuktal Gompa owes its legacy to the powerful and renowned scholars and teachers who once resided in the cave around which the monastery was built. The name Phuktal is derived from the words "Phuk," meaning 'cave,' and "Tal" or "Thal," meaning 'at leisure' in the endangered Zangskari dialect of the Tibetic languages. Another spelling, "Phukthar," uses "Thar," meaning 'liberation,' translating to 'the cave of leisure' or 'the cave of liberation.' The Phugtal monastery is built around a natural cave believed to have been visited by sages, scholars, translators, and monks over 2,550 years ago, offering an ideal retreat for meditation and solitude. The present Phuktal Gompa, part of the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism, was established in the early 15th century by Jangsem