This gompa lies before Padum and is perched on the rock face of a gorge. It is located at the foot of a wide side valley in the low lying area also called as Stod. It is said to have been founded by the great saint Naropa, who is believed to have meditated in one of the two caves around which the monastery is built. It is a Drukpa monastery and also appears to be inside a cave quite similar to Phugtal.
There is a footprint near the entrance of one cave which is said to be of Naropa. Dzongkhul monastery was originally established around a thousand years ago and also contains some fresco paintings that are from the 17th century. It lies on the very difficult trekking trail of Pangi Kishtwar and is the farthest of all monasteries in Zanskar. To reach there, it will be a 3-hour drive from Padum.
The dukhang or temples contain thangkas and images of Drukpa lamas (this has traditionally been a very important monastery). The nearby Buddhist shrine at Tsilatse contains a beautifully painted chorten and also houses a 11-headed Avalokiteshwara.
It is accessible by road by taking a diversion near Tungri and is located near the village of Ating.
Stagrimo (pronounced Tagrimo) is a small gompa very close to Padum. It is a 17th century monastery housing around 30 monks.
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