Chorten, Tsarang monastery, Mustang, Nepal

Beautiful chortens are an abiding memory of Tsarang monastery in Upper Mustang, Nepal.

Thubten Shedrup Dhagyeling Monastery, also known as Tsarang Dzong or Red Gompa dates from the 14th century. The wall with vertical red, white and grey stripes gives the clue that it is in the Sakya, grey earth, tradition. Sakya monastery in Tibet is in a region of grey earth.

We arrived after a long two day trek from Luri gompa and a sometimes hazardous walk alongside the Kali Gandakhi river, a steep climb up a side ravine and a 150m long suspension bridge. Near Luri we climbed a cliff face to a cave containing an exquisite 12th century painting of Avalokiteshvara, the Bodhisattva of Compassion.

Beautiful chortens, known as stupas in India, painted in the earth colours of Mustang grace the village of Tsarang (Charang).

Landscape format.
A3: 42x29.7cm
A2: 59.4x42cm