BARDAN MONASTERY

BARDAN MONASTERY is perched on a hillock alongside the LUNGNAK river, 12 kms south of PADUM in the Zanskar valley on the route to Phuktal monastery.

 HISTORY

BARDAN monastery is believed to be constructed in the 17^th Century and belongs to the Dugpa-Kargyud monastic order. It was the first monasteries of this sect to be established in Zanskar. A number of smaller monasteries in the Zanskar monastery come under the BARDAN monastery, one being SANI monastery. It has a large Dukhang (assembly hall) displaying magnificiently crafted statues of Buddhist deities with some stupas, made of clay, bronze, wood & copper. The Bardan Monastery monks participate in the unveiling of the idol in Sani Monastery. In this festival the monks perform masked dances as a part of the ritual.