Korzok Monastery

Korzok Monastery, known in Tibetan as དཀོར་མཛོད་ (dkor-mdzod), is a prominent Tibetan Buddhist monastery belonging to the Drukpa Lineage. It is situated on the northwestern bank of the sacred Tso Moriri lake in the Leh District of Ladakh, a union territory of India. The monastery, perched at an altitude of 4,560 meters (14,960 ft), is a significant spiritual center for the local nomadic Changpa herdsmen and is home to approximately seventy monks.

Historically, Korzok Monastery served as the headquarters of the Rupshu Valley and was a key point on the Central Asian trade route until 1947. The monastery is an independent institution overseen by the Korzok Rinpoche, also widely known as Langna Rinpoche. The establishment of the monastery is attributed to the third Korzok Rinpoche, Kunga Lodro Ningpo, who founded it about 300 years ago.

History and Foundation

The history of the region is linked to ancient kings who ruled in the challenging terrain. Tradition states that one of these nomadic kings sought assistance from Tibet, leading to a Lama being sent to establish the monastery at Korzok. This event marked a shift for the local nomads, who began adopting Buddhism and embracing a more peaceful way of life. The monastery itself, as seen today, is said to have been rebuilt in the 19th century on the right bank of the Tsomoriri River, differing from many monasteries that are typically built on hilltops.

Structures and Features

The monastery houses a statue of Shakyamuni Buddha and images of other deities. It is also known for its beautiful ancient paintings, or thangkas, which have undergone restoration. Near the gompa, an impressive photong is located, and several chortens are visible in the vicinity. The Korzok settlement itself is recognized as one of the oldest settlements at such a high elevation.

Significance and Local Life

The Tso Moriri lake below the monastery is deeply revered by the local population and is considered equally sacred. The area, through the efforts of WWF-India, has been designated as a 'Sacred Gift for a Living Planet' by the community, leading to its opening for tourism. The barley fields around Korzok village, tended by the nomadic Changpa herdsmen, are claimed to be the highest cultivated land in the world. The Changpa people are known for rearing goats, cows, and yaks, and their valuable trade products include Pashmina wool and salt extracted from local salt fields.

Tourism and Festivals

Korzok Monastery is accessible from Leh, though a permit is required for entry into the area. Visitors can find tented accommodation pitched on the banks of Tso Moriri. The monastery is also the site of the Korzok Gu-stor festival, an annual event that draws many Chang-pa nomads. During this festival, masked dancers represent Dharmapalas, the guardian divinities of the Buddhist pantheon, and patron divinities of the Drukpa sect. The local nomads demonstrate deep devotion to Buddhism, often dedicating one son from each family to the monastery and maintaining symbolic statues of religious figures alongside their own deities.