Stongdey Monastery

Stongdey Monastery
Stongdey Gompa from the Nimmu-Padum road
Religion
AffiliationTibetan Buddhism
SectGelug
DeityJe Tsongkhapa
Location
LocationZanskar River Valley, Ladakh, India
Stongdey Monastery is located in Ladakh
Stongdey Monastery
Location within India
Geographic coordinates33°31′9.34″N 76°59′17.59″E / 33.5192611°N 76.9882194°E / 33.5192611; 76.9882194
Architecture
FounderLama Lhodak Marpa Choski Lodos
Sunset concert on the gompa roof

Stongdey Monastery, often written Stongde, Stongday, Tonday or Thonde, is a flourishing Buddhist monastery in Zanskar, Ladakh, northern India, approximately 18 km (11 mi) northeast of Padum, on the road to Nimmu.[1] The monastery is located on a hillock overlooking the village of Stongdey.[2]

The gompa was founded in 1052 by Naropa's disciple, the famous translator Lama Marpa Lotsawa (1012-1097). It was taken over by the Gelugpa about four centuries later and became dedicated to Je Tsongkhapa.[1][3]

It is the second largest monastic institution in Zanskar, with a community of about 60 Gelukpa monks.[1] Every year the Gustor Festival is held on the 28th and 29th day in the eleventh month of the Tibetan calendar.

There are seven temples in all. The Tshogs-khang is decorated with exquisite painting including some with deities on a black background outlined in gold.[3]

  1. ^ a b c "Stongdey Monastery". Buddhist-temples.com. Retrieved 20 October 2009.
  2. ^ "Tourism > Tourist Places > Zanskar". LAHDCK – Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, Kargil. 17 August 2024. Retrieved 31 August 2024.
  3. ^ a b Rizvi (1996), p. 255.