Living on the Edge, a photo from Jammu and Kashmir, Nord

Photographer's Note

Diskit Monastery also known as Deskit Gompa is the oldest and largest Buddhist monastery (gompa) in the Nubra Valley of Ladakh, northern India.
The Diskit monastery was founded by Changzem Tserab Zangpo in the 14th century. It belongs to the Gelugpa (Yellow Hat) sect of Tibetan Buddhism.

The Diskit monastery is situated on the hill, just above the flood plains of the Shyok River, on its right bank in the Diskit village (3,144 metres (10,315 ft)) in Nubra Valley. Diskit Monastery has been built at the edge of the approach road. Approach to the monastery is through a flight of steps made of stones, which lead to the prayer hall of the monastery.

The monastery, which houses about 100 monks, runs a school in its precincts. This school teaches Tibetan children. The school has been upgraded recently to enable teaching of scientific subjects with support from the Lungta, a 'Tibet Support Group' (a Non Governmental Organization -NGO) who have created computer facilities in the school.

A popular festival known as Dosmoche or the "Festival of the Scapegoat" is held in the precincts of the monastery in February during the winter season, which is largely attended by people from villages of the Nubra Valley. They come to witness the famous mask dance performed by Lamas of the monastery. The mask dance is performed to dramatically express the superiority of good over evil forces. The dances are believed to avoid ill-fortune in the new year.

The big white building at the top left side of the frame houses Buddha relics, paintings etc. The red one beside it is the Prayer Hall. The smaller ones thereafter are Lama quarters, kitchen, store room, guest houses etc.

Thanks for visiting.

SnapRJW, No_One, chrislo, PaulVDV, Romano46, aleXundar, mcmtanyel, pierrefonds, jhm, ourania, fabbs99, kato, adramad, delpeoples, Cricri, nikkitta, mirosu, annjackman, COSTANTINO, fritzi007 trouve(nt) cette note utile

Critiques | Translate

gojo (1769) 2013-12-14 1:39

Hello Subho,
Perfect title to this stunning image. The (almost) absence of colors works very well here. Very dramatic!
Goran

yquem46 (38752) 2013-12-14 1:49

Namaste Subho
Not often that we see pictures from the Nubra valley
Here a good one of theses classical Ladakhi houses, standing out well as a diagonal on the grey rocky environment
Again sweet memories for me
have a nice WE, best regards
patrick

subhendu_bagchi (26091) 2013-12-14 2:19

dear Subho, another nice photography from you. The monastery buildings are looking nice from where you captured it. Like the use of strong diagonal here. A nice contrast created with the grey land... Excellent shot. Tfs.
S

microdas (113) 2013-12-14 2:33

Hi Subho,
Nice composition! I am just wandering - how it will look if you show a little more of the dramatic slope on the background.
Cheers!
Microdas

SnapRJW (31631) 2013-12-14 2:45

Hello Subho - What a fascinating shot where for the most part the buildings blend in colour-wise with the surrounding rocky landscape. The touches of red and gold tell us that we are looking at a Buddhist Monastery. I love the details in the landscape, the scree slopes and rocky outcrops are harsh but beautiful. This looks to be a remote place and one worth visiting, do you live in this area?

Warm regards Rosemary

No_One (4) 2013-12-14 2:48

Hi Subho,
What a place! To my European eyes, this kind of structure and location is the stuff of legend, soa true pleasure to see your post of this here today. The buildings are notable for their unique design, but also for how they seem to almost grow from the mountain top itself. I love how they grow in size as they go right to left too. The backdrop of the smoother mountain on the far right looks like something of another world, in fact this whole scene is to me, incredible. Thank you for the excellent note.
All the best
Noel

chrislo (4099) 2013-12-14 3:25

Hello Subho,
This is just fascinating to see that some monks had the idea of building their monastery in such an incredible setting. Such a hostile environment must preserve their hermetic, harsh life. Great shot of this monastery spreading down the slope, and coming out so well against the grey rocks. Your close-up view makes it even more interesting and enjoyable.
Kind regards,
Christian

dta (98848) 2013-12-14 4:06

Hello Subho ,
An amazing view of this outstanding himalayan village , impressively situated at the top of the rocky cliffs . THe white houses with terraced roofs are interesting , too .
egards

pajaran (114891) 2013-12-14 4:25

Dobar dan, popodne.
Interesantan i dobar tekst o Manastiru ...
Dobra kompozicija, lepo pokazano mesto i arhitektura.
Dobar rad i kontrast, lepe boje.
Lepa arhitektura.
Lepo popodne i sve najbolje za vikend, srecno.
Paja.

Good afternoon, this afternoon.
Interesting and good article about the convent ...
Good composition, nice architecture and shown the place.
Good work and contrast, beautiful colors.
Beautiful architecture.
Nice afternoon and all the best for the weekend, good luck.
Paja.

PaulVDV (62802) 2013-12-14 5:09

Hello Subho,
In the early 90-s I've been to Ladakh but not to the Nubra Valley.
I believe it's easier to go there now than it was then.
This monastery certainly has a very impressive location, on the edge of the abyss and pressed against
the rock wall.
Seeing this picture I get the longing to go back again to Ladakh.
Wonderful with the striking white walls in that grey rock environment.
Best regards, Paul

Romano46 (18472) 2013-12-14 5:14

Ciao Subho
complimenti!
una foto perfetta nella sua composizione.
Un taglio anch'esso fatto in maniera eccellente per porre in evidenza una caratteristica di questo paesaggio che hai trasformato in ottimo soggetto fotografico.
Bravissimo
Ciao e buon fine settimana
Romano

Fis2 (169709) 2013-12-14 6:02

Witaj Subho!
A very interesting place,
Curious houses.
I like colors and sharpness.
Well done.
Have a nice evening
Krzysztof

Nicou (193806) 2013-12-14 6:39

Hello

quelle roche et ce village posé avec la diagonale c'est merveilleux ce contraste de tons quelle vue et compo quelle iamge sueprbe captage et compo.
Bravo et amitié
Nicou

aleXundar (1256) 2013-12-14 9:01

Hello Subho,
The way you have captured the series, is unique. The steps are clear from this pov.
Very good greyish colors, typical of the place, and sharpness.
Another stunning shot with a nice title.

Regards,
Alekhya

mcmtanyel (67635) 2013-12-14 14:51

Hi Subho,
Life on the edge - on the edge of a cliff, on the edge of wilderness. This is a captivating scene rendered very skillfully.
Regards,
MT

lousat (138599) 2013-12-14 15:45

Hi Subho,very interesting capture of this big monastery,very strange architechture along the rocks,great composition and fine details everywhere despite the distance,i like it! Have a nice Sunday and thanks,Luciano

pierrefonds (113572) 2013-12-14 17:01

Hi Subho,

The principle of the third is respected, the mountain, the village and the cliff. The point of view is showing the details and colors of the village. The light has a good effect on the colors. Have a nice day.

Pierre

rychem (72187) 2013-12-14 22:32

Great location of this monastery, perfect diagonal composition, very well done
regards Ryszard

jhm (211734) 2013-12-15 2:39

Hello Subho,

This is the first time that I see a picture as these with all the houses on the slope.
Your diagonal line is pleasant to look at.
Also the rocks gives an extra colour to the picture.
Excellent composition, nice presentation.
Very well done, TFS.

Have a nice Sunday,
John

ourania (51103) 2013-12-15 2:53

Hello Subho,
a superb composition, simple and straightforward because your fascinating theme needs nothing more to exalt it. There are some monasteries built in incredible places in Greece too, but this huge complex of constructions so well embedded in the rocky mountain is an awesome sight. I like very much the power the diagonal is given in your frame. Textures and colours have kept their natural quality and fascination. Congratulations and thank you!
All the best, have a great week,
Ourania

Silvio1953 (220577) 2013-12-15 8:34

Ciao Subho, great view of fantastic monastery on beautiful rocks, great exposure, splendid light and wonderful colors, very well done, my friend, ciao Silvio

kato (11630) 2013-12-15 10:52

Hello Subho,

You're capturing well this place by a good angle and excellent tone/clarity, so it's interesting and impressive to see many Buddhist monasteries which is standing on rocky slope. It's a mysterious world for me when thinking about their life style. It's also impressive in diagonal line and white outer wall of monastery.

Kind regards,
mikio

adramad (72558) 2013-12-15 12:28

Hi Subho.
Superb view of this population located on top of the rocks, their location creating a diagonal in the plane, is a touch of great charm, magnificent shades and textures in the lands of the slope is behind.
Nice colorful natural.
Sensational sharpness and brightness.
Well done.
Sensational note as ever.
Good start to the week.
Best wishes.
Luis.

fabbs99 (17179) 2013-12-15 15:04

Hello Subho,

Remarkable shot from the edge of the mountains.Beautiful houses but certainly dangerous to live there for fear of landslide.Great image shot with good sharpness,TFS.

Cheers
Farhat

delpeoples (60342) 2013-12-15 22:10

Namaste dear Subho

What a great title for your photo! The people who live here must not have any fear of heights. I love the strong colours and the graphism created by the repeating shapes and colours of the houses. The background textures of the mountain are stunning and somehow help to accentuate those of the village. Well done!

Warmest wishes
Lisa

Cricri (176) 2013-12-16 11:04

Hi Subho
Impressionnant village construit sur les rochers, bonne prise en diagonale, la lumière et la netteté excellente
Belle soirée
cricri

nikkitta (17070) 2013-12-16 13:38

Namaste Subho

A place almost unknown in TE, impresive mountain landscape with the monastery spread from up to down, only contrast with the grey rock mountain
Having being in Tibet, fully apreciated your note about life inside this monastery
Well done, tfs
Maria

mirosu (16313) 2013-12-17 5:00

Hi Subho,
You are presenting here excellent photo in superb light. The diagonal houses arrangement is outstanding, it creates very good picture balance and harmony. Well done.
Greetings
Miro

annjackman (23019) 2013-12-17 10:25

Hello Subho,
Wow - this is certainly on the edge! I am attracted to the diagonal composition of the monastery which is echoed by the diagonal lines of the mountainside. Very good natural colours and a careful exposure - TFS.
Kind Regards, Ann

hidibyendu (929) 2013-12-17 17:43

Hi Subho,
This is an excellent picture with a nice note and title. Nice composition with the slopes in the background and similar structure houses in the fore ground. Nice take.
Bhalo theko.
TFS
Dibyendu

holmertz (101980) 2013-12-18 12:56

Hello Subho,
I remember seeing ths photo the other day and I am surprised it didn't comment on it. I thought I did. It's a great shot from the fascinating Himalayas. The monastery, looking like a fairly large village, creates a perfect diagonal as it climbs the steep hillside. The grey surroundings make the houses look like they are shining. I often wonder what makes people want to live in desolate areas like this, but then of course I was never inclined to become a monk :-).
Kind regards,
Gert

emka (157280) 2013-12-19 23:50

Hi Subhogen,

What an incredible place! I would like to see it with my eyes and lenses, but how can the people live there? Not for someone with vertigo. Fascinating place. Superb shot, thanks for sharing .

Warm regrads Malgo

dekanski (9269) 2013-12-25 15:28

GREAT!

everything has already been said, from me just two points more!!!

Saša

npecanhuk (79329) 2013-12-25 16:02

Hi Subho!
Interesting place!
Attractive picture!
Sharpness, exposure, colors, chosen pov, horizontal format, chosen pov and composition are all excellent!
TFS - Cheers,
Neyvan

COSTANTINO (115515) 2013-12-30 22:27

Hello
spectacular view to this Diskit Monastery
also known as Deskit Gompa
a shot with greatnsymmety and peaceful
atmosphere in my gallery I also have
a shot like this one from Meteora
a place at Kalampaka with many
monasteries
regards
have a nice new year 2014
Costantino

elenimavrandoni (0) 2014-02-12 10:07