Ladakh is a land like no other. Bounded by two of
the world's mightiest mountain ranges, the Great Himalaya and the
Karakoram, it lies athwart two other, the Ladakh range and the Zanskar
range. Ladakh lies at altitudes ranging from about 9,000 feet (2750m)
at Kargil to 25,170 feet (7,672m) at Saser Kangri in the Karakoram.
Karcha is the largest of all monasteries in Zanskar. Karcha Chamspaling to give
its full name was first established by Phagspa Shesrab, the translator of Zanskar.
The Teacher Dorje Shesrab who caused it to flourish built the present monastery.
Shesrab Zangpo of Stod introduced the order of Tsongkhapa there.
More than 100 monks are in residence. There are shrines and in particular, the
wall paintings executed by the Lama Dzadpa Dorje.
The Bone relics of Dorje Rinchen are also to be seen. Every year on the 28th
& 29th days of the 6th Tibetan month the tradition of sacred dance is observed
in association with the Gustor festival.
In that place there are also two temples built by Rinchen Zangpo, the translator
known as the Thugsjechhenpoi Lhakhang and the Lhakhang Karpo.
Close by the village of Karcha there are the monasteries of Khagsar, of Purang
in the village of Langmi, of Phagspa in the village of Nangbaphal and a nunnery
called Dorjezong at the top of the valley.
Karcha Monastery, Monastries in Ladakh
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