Stongdey Monastery

Stongdey Monastery
Stongdey Gompa from the Nimmu-Padum road
Location within India
Religion
Affiliation	Tibetan Buddhism
Sect	Gelug
Deity	Je Tsongkhapa
Location
Location	Zanskar River Valley, Ladakh, India
Coordinates	33°31′9.34″N 76°59′17.59″E / 33.5192611°N 76.9882194°E / 33.5192611; 76.9882194
Architecture
Founder	Lama Lhodak Marpa Choski Lodos
Established	1052 (1052)

Stongdey Monastery, often written Stongde, Stongday, Tonday or Thonde, is a flourishing Buddhist monastery in Zanskar, Ladakh, northern India, approximately 18 km (11 mi) northeast of Padum, on the road to Nimmu.¹ The monastery is located on a hillock overlooking the village of Stongdey.²

The gompa was founded in 1052 by Naropa's disciple, the famous translator Lama Marpa Lotsawa (1012-1097). It was taken over by the Gelugpa about four centuries later and became dedicated to Je Tsongkhapa.¹³

It is the second largest monastic institution in Zanskar, with a community of about 60 Gelukpa monks.¹ Every year the Gustor Festival is held on the 28th and 29th day in the eleventh month of the Tibetan calendar.

There are seven temples in all. The Tshogs-khang is decorated with exquisite painting including some with deities on a black background outlined in gold.³