Continuing through the valley, we arrived at Stongdey Monastery, the second-largest monastery in Zanskar. Built atop a rocky hill, its location offers spectacular views across the surrounding landscape. From a distance, the monastery almost appears to grow naturally out of the mountainside.
Founded during the 11th century and later associated with the Gelug tradition, Stongdey has remained an important centre of Buddhist learning for hundreds of years. According to local tradition, the monastery was established by one of the disciples of the great Tibetan teacher Marpa, whose influence helped spread Buddhism throughout the Himalayan region.
One of the highlights of visiting Stongdey was simply standing outside and taking in the surrounding scenery. The valley stretched endlessly below us, dotted with villages, cultivated fields, and winding rivers that contrasted beautifully against the barren mountains beyond. The silence was broken only by the sound of fluttering prayer flags and the occasional chant drifting from within the monastery.
