The other spectacular cave
monastery of Zanskar, Zongkhul falls on the Padum-Kishtwar trekking trail, just
before the ascent to the Omasi-la Pass begins. Situated like a swallow's nest on
the rock face of the Ating Gorge, the monastery is associated by legend with the
famous Indian Yogi, Naropa, who lectured in the Nalanda and Vikramsila
universities. The two caves around which the present monastery has developed are
said to have been used by the famous yogi for solitary meditation. A foot print
on a stone near the ingress of the lower cave is revered as that of the yogi.
The frescos on the cave wall are very old and reflect a high degree of artistic
achievement. These are believed to be the original murals executed by Zhadpa
Dorje, the celeberated scholar-painter of the same monastery who was active
about 300 years ago.