Phugtal Monastery
is to be found in Zanskar in Ladakh. Phutgtal gompa Gangsem Sherap Sampo was the founder of Phugtal monastery for the period of 12th century.Phugtal Monastery is built on the rock face and lies in the interiors of Zanskar in India.It is also said that Csoma de Koros who is regarded as the father of modern Tibetology lived here for one year. It was he who was the first one to translate the Buddhist texts from Ladakhi to English.Phugtal Monastery
is one of the unique of all the other monasteries because it has been made on the top steep mountain and the structure looks like a honeycomb. Approximately 70 monks are living in this phugtal gompa with having a prayer room and a unique library. They also take the responsibility of the visitors for staying in phugtal gompa.Frescoes and Ceiling decorations are the most tourist attraction in this monastery which belongs to the same time as that of Tabo monastery and Alchi monastery. There is a hollow in the cave on the monastery and water level never drops in spite of any amount of water being drawn from it.Phugtal mountain range acts as a climatic wall which protect Ladakh and Zanskar from most of the monsoon,which results in a enjoyably warm and dry climate in the summer. Rain and snowfall during this time are scarce, although recent decades have shown a trend towards increasing precipitation.
Earlier times during drought many water driven mills were constructed far away from the villages, but now since the villages have running water close to their houses, the water driven mills were discarded. The houses in Zanskari are not prepared for heavy rain fall though they are well built, currently due to increasing rainfall the Ladakhi are in for surprised as their roofs leak.
In Phugtal monastery most of the precipitation occurs as snowfall during the harsh and extremely long winter period. These winter snowfalls are of vital importance, since they feed the glaciers which melt in the summer and provide most of the irrigation water. Parts of Zanskar valley are considered some of the coldest continually inhabited places in the world. Phugtal in Ladakh is a charming place which offers natural beauty and adventure in plenty. The location of the famous Phugtal monastery never fails to capture the hearts of tourists who come here from far and wide.
Phugtal is a wonderful attraction of Ladakh tour. The temperatures in winters tend to drop as much as -35C in the night and remember that these people do not have electricity and yet they live over there in the winters.Gustor festival is celebrated during 12th month of 18th and 19th day of the Tibetan calander.Monks of Phugtal gompa performed sacred Cham dance during this festival. Closest motorable road is three days of trek from here. This place had the most interesting Planning and Architecture in the entire Ladakh.
