Stongde Monastery
Stongde, Ladakh · Lord Buddha (Marpa heritage) · Buddhist Monastery
Hilltop Marpa Ling gompa 18 km from Padum on district tourism.
Stongde Monastery is documented on Kargil district Zanskar tourism about 18 km from Padum on a hillock, associated with yogi Marpa and also called Marpa Ling on the official page.
History
District tourism places Stongde among the principal Padum-area gompas alongside Karsha and Burdan.
The hilltop location overlooks Stongde village in the Zanskar valley.
Stories
A gompa founded by Marpa
Stongdey Monastery sits on a hillock overlooking the village of Stongdey, about 18 km northeast of Padum in Zanskar. According to the sources cited, it was founded in 1052 by the translator Marpa Lotsawa, a disciple of Naropa. About four centuries later it was taken over by the Gelug school and dedicated to Je Tsongkhapa. That date comes from tradition and one published account, so treat it as approximate.
Gustor in the Tibetan winter
Stongdey is described as the second largest monastic institution in Zanskar, with about 60 Gelug monks. It has seven temples, and the assembly hall is decorated with fine paintings, some showing deities on a black ground outlined in gold. Each year the Gustor festival is held here on the 28th and 29th days of the eleventh month of the Tibetan calendar. The count of monks is from a published description and changes over time.
Good to know
Hilltop Marpa Ling association
18 km from Padum per district page
Padum valley monastic circuit
Getting there
Padum–Stongde village road after Kargil–Padum approach.
Best time to visit: Jun – Sep