Stupas:
Religious and Heritage Assets of Ladakh
Stupas in Ladakh are religious structures venerated by Buddhists, and many of them are said to have house corporal remains of high Lamas or mark an important place associated with the religion. It is one of the most important aspects of the Buddhist culture and of the Ladakhi landscape. It symbolizes Buddha’s mind. Some of the more elaborate earlier Stupas are painted within. A stupa is called mChod-rTen in Ladakhi meaning ‘receptacle’ of worship or offering. Almost all the stupas in the region are living and under worship. The Buddhist devotees’ worship and circumambulate the stupas as an act of merit
The Project aims to restore 10 Stupas by the end of the Season i.e. October end. Stupa Restoration is a dying art that is only restricted to a handful of masons in Ladakh.
Why Restoration of Stupa is Important?
For various reasons, most of the stupa in the villages built by the ancestors are deteriorating and need preservation. Some of them may still be in good condition, but a good number of them have well past the stage of recovery and rehabilitation.
H.H. the Dalai Lama said on several occasions during his sermons that the landscape of Ladakh is dotted with stupas but they are almost all in ruin state, without heads. He also clearly said that people should restore and conserve the old stupas instead of building new stupas.
Lack of knowledge among the local people about the possibilities of conservation
ANCIENT STUPAS HAVE BEEN NEGLECTED DUE TO THE TIME FACTOR & CHANGING SOCIAL NORMS
Climate change has caused much damage to historic structures like stupas
Lack of expertise in Stupa Restoration. There are only a handful of Chorten experts in whole Ladakh.
About the Stupa Restoration Project
The ‘Stupa Restoration Project’ is an initiative by the Himalayan Cultural Heritage Foundation to restore and preserve the Heritage Assets of Ladakh, Stupas. The Project also marks the celebration of World Heritage Day; therefore, the onset of the project is scheduled for April 18th 2021.
Plan of Action
Phase 1: Identification & Research
Phase 2: Restoration
Phase 3: Post Restoration Ceremonies
Identify 10 prospective Sites in Ladakh Region. Seek Permissions and run a thorough assessment of the Prospective Sites to procure the original measurement & design from the Ancient Buddhist Texts.
Calculating the Damage and finalizing the blueprint of each of the prospective site. Carrying forward the Restoration of the 10 selected sites.
Post Restoration, conducting the Consecration ceremony to confer back the Stupa’s religious status.
OUR IMPACT
10+
YEARS OF ACTIVE FUNCTIONING
30+
STUPAS RESTORED
16
MASONS TRAINED TO RESTORE ANCIENT STUPAS
03
MAJOR REGIONS IN LADAKH COVERED
Restoration of Stupa at Murgi Village in Ladakh (India)
Yes! I'd Like to preserve our Heritage...
Support a Stupa!
You can help us by funding the project or partially/wholly supporting the restoration work of a particular site. Any support (monetary or in-kind) is welcomed.
Please get in touch:
Email - office.hchf@gmail.com
Dr Sonam Wangchuk: +91-941928013
(Founder, Himalayan Cultural Heritage Foundation (HCHF)
Ms Roohani Sawhney: +91-6005014281
Executive Officer, Himalayan Cultural Heritage Foundation (HCHF)
Meet Our Supporters
We appreciate your generous contribution towards Heritage conservation and wholeheartedly thank you for supporting our initiatives.
Dr Nordan Otzer
Shri Ravi Khote
