Phugtal Monastery is one of the top attractions on your Ladakh tour package. It is also known as Phugtal Gompa or Phuktal Monastery. It is located in the remote corner of the Lungnak Valley which is a part of the southeastern region of Zanskar valley, Ladakh.
Gangsem Sherap Sampo founded the monastery in the early 12th century. Phugtal Monastery is a site of meditation, unmatched peace, retreat, teaching, and spiritual significance.
This monastery has been built onto a cliffside in the form of a honeycomb. Phuk means ‘cave’ tal means’ at leisure’ and its other name is Phukthar where Thar means ‘liberation’. Hence, the cave is also called as ’Cave of Leisure’ or ‘Cave of Liberation’.
Around 70 monks dwell at this monastery which has a library as well as prayer rooms.
Phugtal Monastery can be accessed via the Padum- Manali route by a 7 km long trek which starts from Purney Bridge. There are various festivals celebrated in Phuktal Monastery which include Smonlam Chenmo, Gyalwe Jabstan, Syungnas, Yarnas, and Phukta Gutor. There are no hotels or guesthouses, so you can camp here or stay in the monastery.
The best time to visit monastery is in the summer season from July to September when the temperature is warm and the weather is also clear.
History of Phugtal Monastery
Phugtal Monastery has a rich history that dates back to over 2,500 years ago. The current Phugtal Monastery was established by Gangsem Sherap Sampo in the 12th century.
The monastery belongs to the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism and it houses a main temple, prayer rooms, a library, apartments, and living rooms along with an original cave and sacred spring. Phuktal Monastery was unknown to the world till the 19th century when Alexander Csoma de Koros discovered it during 1826-27.
Over 70 monks reside in the monastery and it is one of the most isolated monasteries in the region which is made up of wood and mud.
Phugtal Monastery belongs to the Gelug academy of Tibetan Buddhism, where a large number of carnivals are celebrated with great zeal and vigor. You can get a regard of the rich artistic heritage of the region during the fests.
The carnivals in the Phugtal Monastery start around the end of February, depending on the Tibetan timetable. During the carnivals, the monks interact with the locals, and townies go to the friary. They offer prayers and deification. Some of the important carnivals celebrated in Phugtal Gompa are
Zanskar valley and Phugtal Gompa
Zanskar Valley is one of the most remote places in Ladakh. The Phuktal Monastery is located in an elevated location emerges as a vibe for self-learning and spiritual significance. This monastery draws the attention of thousands of visitors every year as it is a spiritual site where monks used to meditate and take shelter in medieval times.
You can undertake a few km trek to reach this monastery perched high on the sandstone cliffs.
Best time to Visit
Summer: Phugtal Monastery can be mostly visited in the summer season when it is easily accessible. From June to September, the weather remains warm and comfortable which is favorable for traveling. During this season, you can enjoy the views of blooming wildflowers, and clear skies which offer enchanting scenes of surrounding Himalayan peaks.
Winter: during winter, it becomes difficult to visit Ladakh as the roads get covered in snow. But if one wishes, then one can visit this Monastery by taking the route of Chadar Trek and you can cover two villages namely Cha and Ammu on this trek.
Where to stay in Phugtal Monastery
There are very limited accommodation options available in Phugtal. You can stay in the monastery or as a paying guest at the villages of Ammo, Chah, and Purne. A guest house is available at the Purne village and the monastery itself and it is equipped with all the basic facilities.
How to reach Phugtal Monastery
You can reach Phuktal Gompa via air or road, each offering an adventurous experience.
By Air: The most convenient option to reach Phuktal Monastery is via a flight. You can book a flight to Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport and reach Leh. From Leh, tourists can hire a taxi or cab, or rental bike to reach Kargil. After reaching Kargil, you can start your journey to Padum on foot.
By Road: Padum is the nearest town to this monastery. After reaching Padum, you have to travel by foot to reach Phuktal monastery.
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Frequently asked questions
1. Is there any entry fees for visiting Phugtal Monastery?
There are no entry fees to visit the monastery and it can be visited free of cost. You can donate there some money for the maintenance and preservation of the monastery.
2. Is it safe to travel to Phuktal Monastery?
The trek to Phugtal monastery is a challenging one and you need to be physically fit to climb high altitudes.
3.What should I carry for a trip to Phugtal Monastery?
Some of the essentials that you need to carry are
Warm clothes
Sleeping bag
Waterproof pants and jackets
Sunscreen, Sunglasses, and hats
Trekking poles
High energy snacks and water
First aid