Friends Light Up Ladakh’s Best Kept Secret, Phugtal Monastery

Tag : India, Leh, Ladakh, Phugtal Monastery, Lungnak Valley

 For many of us, we look forward to go for dinner or a trip with our friends, but this group of friends decided to light up people’s lives. Paras Loomba (Jagraon), Jaideep Bansal (Chandigarh), and Varun Loomba as a part of the  Global Himalayan Expenditure spearheaded  the project of installing solar micro grids of electricity in the  Lungnak valley of Ladakh.

They brought power to the ancient Phugtal, by keeping with the local belief that civilization flourishes if god's house is lit with the help of volunteers across the world. Located 500 kilometers away from Leh, it is one of the best kept secrets of Ladakh. The Phugtal monastery is one of the oldest in the world with surrounding caves in the imposing mountains along the Lungnak River. It is accessible only on feet as it is situated 20 kilometers away from the nearest motorable road.

Paras said, “We planned to light the villages first, but the locals asked us to supply electricity to the monastery as (they believe) that having light in the home of God is very auspicious," Jaideep added, "Their isolation has hindered their growth and their ability to reach out to the world. As for the monastery, it has immense potential."

The team comprised Danish nationals Rolf Palgaard and Maj Beldring besides the three friends. Other participants from the US, South Africa, the UK, Nepal, Slovakia, Greece, Australia, Luxembourg, Chile and Holland contributed.  The three now plans to bring electricity to the villages in the Lugnak block.

Their larger aim is to reach out to marginalized communities living in the remotest belt of the Himalayas and promote sustainable and inclusive progress, they said.

Source:  Times of India.

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