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All India Tegar Zamskhang Palace Ruins

Zamskhang Palace Ruins

This abandoned palace and the stupas around it conceal beautiful Buddhist frescoes, statues, and silk paintings.

Tegar, India

Added By
Steve Shucart
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The ruins of the Zamskhang palace.   triplegem / Atlas Obscura User
The ruins of the Zamskhang palace.   triplegem / Atlas Obscura User
The ruins of the Zamskhang palace.   triplegem / Atlas Obscura User
The ruins of the Zamskhang palace.   triplegem / Atlas Obscura User
The ruins of the Zamskhang palace.   triplegem / Atlas Obscura User
Inside the palace.   triplegem / Atlas Obscura User
The colorful prayer Room inside the palace.   triplegem / Atlas Obscura User
The colorful prayer Room inside the palace.   triplegem / Atlas Obscura User
The silk paintings decorating the prayer room.   triplegem / Atlas Obscura User
The silk paintings decorating the prayer room.   triplegem / Atlas Obscura User
Inside the prayer room.   triplegem / Atlas Obscura User
Inside the Prayer Room, Zamshang Palace   triplegem / Atlas Obscura User
The silk paintings decorating the prayer room.   triplegem / Atlas Obscura User
Statues housed inside the prayer room.   triplegem / Atlas Obscura User
Statues housed inside the prayer room.   triplegem / Atlas Obscura User
Statues housed inside the prayer room.   triplegem / Atlas Obscura User
Inside Zamshang Palace   triplegem / Atlas Obscura User
Inside Zamshang Palace   triplegem / Atlas Obscura User
Inside Zamshang Palace   triplegem / Atlas Obscura User
Inside the Prayer Room, Zamshang Palace   triplegem / Atlas Obscura User
Statues housed inside the prayer room.   triplegem / Atlas Obscura User
Statues housed inside the prayer room.   triplegem / Atlas Obscura User
Chorten in front of the palace.   triplegem / Atlas Obscura User
Chorten in front of the palace.   triplegem / Atlas Obscura User
Chorten in front of the palace.   triplegem / Atlas Obscura User
An engraved tablet in a chorten in front of the palace.   triplegem / Atlas Obscura User
Frescos inside a chorten.   triplegem / Atlas Obscura User
Frescos inside a chorten.   triplegem / Atlas Obscura User
Frescos inside a chorten.   triplegem / Atlas Obscura User
Chortens in front of Zamshang Palace   triplegem / Atlas Obscura User
Map of Nubra Valley   triplegem / Atlas Obscura User
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About

If you trek up from the village of Tegar to catch a glimpse of the Zamskhang palace in Ladakh, your first impression is likely to be one of disrepair and ruin. The Tibetan palace and the stupas that surround it are crumbling, but the real treasures lie inside the ruins.

Located in the Nubra valley,  this obscure part of the Himalayas was a pitstop on the Silk Road, the ancient trade route used by traders and pilgrims to travel from south to central Asia. During their stay, the pilgrims left behind votive clay tablets which are now housed inside and around the small stupas or chortens around the palace. In stark contrast to the white exteriors, the interiors of the chortens are decorated with colorful and and elaborate frescoes, now slightly faded but still beautiful.

Little is known about the history of the Zamskhang, though locally it is said to have been built in the 17th century to house the governor’s family. The structure is abandoned, but inside there’s a prayer room that's still in use. This room is the most striking one in the building and is a kaleidoscope of color, with statues and thankas, silk paintings, decorating every inch.

The structure itself, though in a poor state of repair, is an excellent example of Tibetan palace architecture, similar to the king’s palace in Leh. The massive building has three floors and a line of four balconies on the second story. There is also a terraced open square with a long bench built against the retaining wall. The ruined structure has straight mud walls with perpendicular angles, and uses abundant mortar without integrated boulders. An elaborately decorated stone stove sits in the ruined kitchen. Part of the roof has collapsed so caution should be exercised when exploring that section. Recently there has been talk of renovating the site.

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Mountains Temples Stupas Buddhism Palaces Abandoned

Know Before You Go

To reach the Zamskhang Palace most people will stay in the nearby village of Sumur on the Nubra River side of the valley. The actual ruins are a steep hike from the road, starting at the village of Tegar. This region is reached by traversing the Khardung La, which at 18000 feet is referred to as the “highest motorable pass in the world”. A special permit must be obtained in Leh before the journey can even be attempted.

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Added By

triplegem

Published

May 2, 2017

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Zamskhang Palace Ruins
Tegar
India
34.633301, 78.027169

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