The heritage Sani Kani Khar was built date back to the time of the famous kushan emperor Kanishka in 2nd century AD and is said to be the oldest stupa of Ladakh. It is also believed that famous Indian mahasiddah Naropa 966-1041 AD who was a celebrated Indian Buddhist yogi from renowned Vikramshila University in Bihar meditated under the Kanishka Stupa. Sani is a sacred place due to its having been visited and blessed by Guru Padmasambhava who is said to have dwelt for 5 years in a small Gyamchot Lakhang. Annual Sani Nesjal festival is held in August every year during which sacred mask dance is performed besides monks from all the monestary of Zanskar assembled during Sani Kangyour in May and recite the whole volume of Kangyour. Statue of Guru Padma Sambhawa has been erected near the mini lake where in boating activities is also available besides the landscape is best for picnic
Just 5 minute walking distance in Padum town is the Buddha rock statue believed to have been carved in the 8th century AD and it is type of Gandhara art introduced in Afganistan in the 3rd century which brought to Kashmir in 4th century. The Rock statue depicts 5 different Buddha:- Viz Miskyotpa –Akshobaya, Rinchen Jungnes ratna Sambawa, Nangpar nangzet Vairocana,Nangwa Thayes Amitaba, Tonyot Duba Amoksidhi
8 KM from Padum is the largest monestary of Zanskar on a rocky cliff called Karsha Chambling Gonpa which was founded by the scholar and translator of Zanskar Lotsawa Phagspa Sherap some where in 858-1055 AD. Teacher Dorjey Sherap caused it to flourish and built the present monestary, Sherab Zangpo of stod Ngari introduced the order of tsongkhapa. There are two main temple Dukhang yokma and kongma with ancient wall painting and many old statue to visit, Bone skeleton relics of Lobon Dhode Rinchen a revered monks of the monestary is also preserved since many centuries to have the blessing which is kept in newly renovated gold stupa, Annual gustor festival, sacred mask dance is performed and is held in the month of July every year,
10 Km from Padum on Padum Leh road is another wonderful monestary located at a cliff called Stongdey monestary which was founded somewhere in the year 1052 AD by the Lama Chotak Marpa choski Lotey and the name of monestary was given after his name as Marpaling, 4 centuries later Shakya Zangpo of Stongdey caused it to flourish. Lama Gyaltsan Lhundup Spalzangpo introduced here the order of Tsongkhapa and since then the Gelugpa flourish in this monestary .The annual Gustor festival held in July every year. The monestary having located on this rock cliff is the best site for photography.
Some 30 KM away from Padum towards Kargil is the Zongkhul Naro Tophuk “Ravine Fortress” is founded by great Mahasiddha Naropa “956-1041 AD” who was a celebrated Indian Buddhist Yogi, Mystic and Monk from the renowned Vikramshila University in Bihar. He is said to have meditated in the cave where the present monestary is built. His impression of ceremonial dagger and staff are also said to be in the rock in his meditation cave. Zongkhul became a flourishing Kagyu meditation center under the Zanskari Yogi Dubchen Nawang Tsering “1717-1794 AD” The monestary became a sacred site of meditation for several other mahasiddha of Zanskar like Dubchen Kunga Gyatso, Karmapa, Dzatpa Dorjey, Kunga Choelak and many more successive reincarnation. annual Humchot fasting is held in the month of June every year.
35 Km away from Padum on Padum Leh road is this partly ruined old castle at Zangla which was believed to have built in the 10th century by Ldey Tsug Gon who was the king of Zanskar and the youngest son of King Skildey Nimagon a descendant of Langdarma of Tibet. The king has constructed two palace one each at Padum and Zangla. The castle of Zangla is considered as one of the oldest and auspicious castle throughout Ladakh as several Rinpochey and Stulkus got birth at this place. 6th Ngari Rinpochey Jabstung Lobzang Jamyang Stanbay Gyaltsan, Tungpa Gyalsbpa Sondus Gyaltsan, Tungpa Staphukpa Tamchoe Gyalstan who were disciple of Panchen Lama of Tibet were born here, 18th re-incarnation of Bakula Rinpochey Jetsun Lobzang Ishey the Head Lama of Spituk Gonpa and re-incarnation of Tsultim Nima Head Lama of Rizong Gonpa Jabtung Lobzang Yeshey were also born in the same palace. Csoma-de-Koros a scholar from Hungary stayed here from 1823-1824 and composed the first English-Tibetan dictionary. Till the invasion by Dogra ruler in 1834 to Ladakh, King Yeshey Phuntsok spaldey remained as an independent kingdom of Zangla and has ruled Zanskar since then Zangla become a part of Jammu and Kashmir.
On way from Manali to Padum on adversion from Purney is located Phukthar monestary “The literary meaning is drived from two Tibetan words i,e Phuk ,means Cave and Thar means liberation, is considered the most spectacular monestary believed to have established somewhere in 11th century by the scholar and Tibetan Translator Lotsawa Phagspa Sherap.The three eminent scholar brother “Tangrstong Phun sum” belived to hold the supernatural power of flight and gave dharma teaching here. The Present Phukthar Monestary of the Gelugpa lineage was established in the early 14th century by Changsem Sherap Zangpo a disciple of Gelug Founder Tsonkhapa. According to legend , The spirituality gifted Sherap Zangpo caused a spring to run in the cave, a juniper tree to grow above the cave and the cave itself grow larger, In the year 1823 The Hungarian scholar and linguistic Alexander Csoma De Koros studied at Phuktal while working on Tibetan-English dictionary. Annual Gustor Fesival is held in the month of February every year.
Just 10 KM far from Padum on way to Manali is the Barden Monestary which was founded by Boddhisttava Deba Gyatso some 400 years ago, The monestary was previously situated on a top of a mountain called Tharla. A raven varrie off from there a burning butter lamp and took it to the hill shaped like a white conch shell with its coil turning to the right which is the place where the present monetary is situated. Skyabje Stakna Rinpochey the Head lama of drukpa Kargyut sectt in Ladakh act as the incumbent and annual Gyatsa festival is held in the month of May-June every year.
Padum Palace is a former Royal Palace overlooking the town of Padum and Junkhor area. The palace was believed to have been built by King Shaklday in the 13th Century who was descendent of Nyathisanpo of stod Kugay.The King had three son and the eldest among them Sonamlday had ruled the kingdom of Kishtwar, The middle one Zamtaklday ruled Padum and the youngest one Thinamlday was given the charge of Zangla palace., Since 15th century Zanskar has been subordinate to Ladakh sharing its fortune and misfortunes. In 1822 a coalition of Kullu, Lahoul and Kinnur invaded Zanskar plundering the country and destroying the royal palace at Padum until then Zanskar was an Independent Kingdom.. Every year in November the annual festival of sacred mask dance is being performed by the monks of Barden, Stakrimo and Karsha Monestary at this site popularly known as Padum Hurim .
Gonbo Rangjon is a stand-alone lofty rocky precipice located south of Kargyak village in the Lungnak valley, Zanskar, in the Union Territory of Ladakh in India. It is considered to be holy and referred to as God's Mountain by the local inhabitants who practice Tibetan Buddhism