Stakna Monastery and the Indus River, Ladakh

Stakna Gompa – the Buddhist monastery located on a hill above the Indus River in the central part of Ladakh. Its name means “tiger’s nose” and refers to the shape of the hill, where it is located. Built in the 16th century, it belongs to the Drukpa Lineage of the Tibetan Buddhism. The Indus Valley marks the northern boundary of the Himalayas. North of it, and to the right on this photo, is the Ladakh Range – a chain of granite rock mountains. Further to the north is the Karakoram Range.

Photographed in mid-September. Ladakh, India.