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Lighting The Himalayas: Follow The Trek
Join us and the Global Himalayan Expedition (GHE) in our efforts to power up the Phugtal Monastery with solar micro-grids that produce green energy. The monastery, an ancient heritage home to 150 monks, is tucked away in the Himalayas with barely any access to basic amenities.
Team Lighting the Himalayas resolved to power up the Phugtal Monastery nestled in the heart of Himalayan mountains. The monastery, at least 2,500 years old and home to over 150 monks, has never seen electricity.
Count down begins!! Don't miss to watch #LightingTheHimalayas on 15th August. Know more: https://t.co/UsF3RShETKpic.twitter.com/J2pye0kktW
- NDTV Prime (@NDTVPrime) August 10, 2016
Little monk Tenzin is all smiles under a lit bulb in the lobby. He is likely to spend all his life in the premises of this monastery; thankfully he will never live in the dark again.
After years of planning, months of dedication, days of travelling and trekking, and hours of drilling and hammering, the Phugtal Monastery is finally lit up. This is how the monastery now looks at night.
Home to over 150 monks, the Phugtal Monastery, tucked away in Himalayas, has been struggling with basic amenities even in the 21st century. They live in the dark with limited resources, medical support and education. Lighting the Himalayas, an initiative undertaken by NDTV and Global Himalayan Expedition (GHE), electrified the abode using solar power.
Clad in traditional Ladakhi (or Ladakhi?) robes and stone-studded head gears, people from nearby villages joined the celebration at the monastery. People can be seen swaying to the rhythm of Ladakhi folk music.
Move this video around to get different perspectives.
Clad in traditional Ladakhi (or Ladakhi?) robes and stone-studded head gears, people from nearby villages joined the celebration at the monastery. People can be seen swaying to the rhythm of Ladakhi folk music.
Move this video around to get different perspectives.
NDTV crew prepares for a shoot at the top of the east end of the Monastery. The dining terrace of the Monastery and the rapid flow of Lyungnak, both are visible from this spot. 
Kathryn Mullin and Jose Lobos are surrounded by curious little monks as they meticulously fix the wires in the bulb sockets.
The monks held a spiritual ceremony before the installation of solar panels began. Loud Tibetan chants, and the sound of metallic gongs being thumped filled up the temple, capturing all in a trance.
Phugtal Monastery has over 150 monks living there without any modern amenities like electricity. Lighting The Himalayas has decided to electrify it with solar power. The monastery, well settled in the heart of rocky mountains with the Lyungnak River flowing below, looks magnificent.
Humbled by the warm welcome at the Phugtal Guest House, the team captures the moment in the camera.
Dry air and scorching sun aren't exactly the best companions when trekking. Dehydration and sunburns are common side-effects of hiking in the Himalayan Mountains.
The trekking path to Phugtal is quite threatening. The team was treading on loose sand, sharp-edged rocks, and pebbles which made the trek challenging. 
4,000kgs of baggage is loaded on 45 horses as the team gets set to leave Cha for Phugtal.
The team captured this photo while bidding farewell to the Cha village which was their comfortable abode for a day.
The women of Cha, dressed in ethnic Ladakhi gowns, looked on curiously as they greeted the team in their village. They served the team a home-brewed drink called Chang.
A tiny hamlet on the way to Cha opened its heart to the team and treated the members to a delicious lunch in the garden. Each of them soaked in the breathtaking scenery along with the food that helped rejuvenate the team.
Move this video around to get different perspectives.
Move this video around to get different perspectives.
The initial couple of hours of the trek from Ichar towards Cha was through mountains covered in greenery. The remaining eight hours of the trek were under open blue skies, on rocky ground.
Here's a 360 view of the camp at 5:30am. While some team members were comfortably snuggled in their sleeping bags, others were loading their baggage and were all set to leave. 
The camp site for the night on the way towards Ichar was set up about an hour's hike away from the Ichar village. The bright blue tents at the bank of Tsarap River made for a comfortable stay at night.
On the way from Rangdum towards Ichar, the team crossed a receding a glacier. It looks hauntingly beautiful but also proves that climate change is for real.
Fingers turned sore with the chills at Penzilla pass, but that did not threaten the spirits of the crew.
Glacial Ice, shallow pools, and debris from landslides filled the roads from Rangdum till Ichar. As the altitude increased, the oxygen in the air thinned, but the stunning scenery kept us going.
A male nurse who was part of the expedition carried a few basic medicines and machines to keep a check on altitude sickness.
A male nurse who was part of the expedition carried a few basic medicines and machines to keep a check on altitude sickness.
White canvas sheets on our tents quivered in the freezing winds of Rangdum valley. Barren ground and gigantic mountains surrounded the camp site, while a silent stream flowed behind the tents.
The luggage was transported by the support staff of 15 members on 45 horses. They set up the tents and prepared food for everyone.
The luggage was transported by the support staff of 15 members on 45 horses. They set up the tents and prepared food for everyone.
One can find these flags fluttering throughout Ladakh. They are almost a signature sign of a nearby settlement in an otherwise deserted terrain.
Restless beneath the glorious night sky in Ladakh, our team member sets out to explore a bit near the Rangdum Monastery.
Hot food and tea await the entire team at a camp 60kms short of Rangdum in Jammu and Kashmir's Ladakh region. The entire team sat together for a hearty meal during the much-needed break.
#LightingTheHimalayas team is electrifying #PhugtalMonastery with solar-power. More on it: https://t.co/UsF3RShETKpic.twitter.com/c9aJad1xEY
- NDTV Prime (@NDTVPrime) July 18, 2016
The cyclists pose for the camera holding the banner of the initiative 'Lighting The Himalayas'.
Becky Chung, a member of the expedition team, jumps up in the air with open arms during a break from cycling. Her excitement was contagious.
The team gets set to ride mountain bikes through the valleys of Kargil towards Rangdum. The roads are narrow and tedious.
The NDTV crew members, and Tata Sky representatives pose for the shutterbugs before they set out to follow the GHE volunteers and begin their road trip to Kargil. Meet the Team
Volunteers from Global Himalayan Expedition (GHE) and the NDTV crew are all set for their journey to light up the Phugtal Monastery. They're on their way to Kargil in Kashmir's Ladakh region.
Team #LightingTheHimalayas on its way to Kargil, Ladakh. Follow their mission here: https://t.co/UsF3RShETKpic.twitter.com/zNr1fm14eR
- NDTV Prime (@NDTVPrime) July 5, 2016
Isn't the night sky in Ladakh spectacular? The high altitude and un-polluted air makes the stars appear larger than in most parts of the world.
The Head Lama of Mahabodhi Meditation Center receives the expedition team in Leh.
The change makers are greeted with warmth & the traditional #Khatak by the Head Lama of Mahabodhi Meditation Centre. pic.twitter.com/7VTLHXQV7V
- NDTV Prime (@NDTVPrime) June 7, 2016
Here's a panorama shot of Leh's KBR Airport as the team deboards the airplane.
The expedition team has arrived in Leh from countries across the world to light up the Phugtal Monastery.
The Kushok Bakula Rimpochhe (KBR) Airport in Leh is at an altitude of 3256 meters, and only the best pilots can maneuver through the mountains and thin air to make a safe landing on this unique airstrip.
The Kushok Bakula Rimpochhe (KBR) Airport in Leh is at an altitude of 3256 meters, and only the best pilots can maneuver through the mountains and thin air to make a safe landing on this unique airstrip.
Join us and the Global Himalayan Expedition (GHE) in our efforts to power up the Phugtal Monastery with solar micro-grids that produce green energy. The monastery, an ancient heritage which is home to 150 monks, is tucked away in the Himalayas with barely any access to basic amenities.
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Paras Loomba (India)
Team Leader Founder of Global Himalayan Expedition
Jaideep Bansal
Team Leader Manager, Proctor & Gamble
Varun Loomba (USA/India)
Team Leader Manager, Deloitte
Rolf Palgaard (Denmark)
Team Leader Project Manager, AlfaPeople
Maj Beldring Henningsen (Denmark)
Team Leader Skier, Student at DTU
Kathryn Mullin (USA)
Associate Project Manager, Solar Development, NextEra Energy Resources
The expedition team will trek from Leh to Phugtal using the following route:
Leh: Leh used to be the capital of the Himalayan kingdom of Ladakh. Today, it is the most populated district of the region and is bound by Pakistan occupied Kashmir in the west and China in the north. It is also a base for the armed forces and a delight for hundreds of travelers from all over the world.
Kargil: The home of the infamous Kargil war and operation Vijay, Kargil is one of the greener patches in Ladakh. It is also the second largest town of Ladakh.
Rangdum: The tiny village of Rangdum is located in a valley 12000 Ft. above sea level. It is surrounded by colorful hills on one side and rocky mountain glaciers on the other.
Itchar: A small village nestled in the valleys of Zanskar. It lies above 13000 ft.
Cha:A quaint village holding less than 100 families.
Phugtal: This is a region of the Lungnak valley which is home to the 2500 year old monastery of Phugtal.
The Phugtal monastery is one of the oldest monasteries in the world. Its ancient heritage is only surpassed by its breath-taking beauty. Nestled brazenly in the caves of stark mountains caressing the curves of the Lungnak river, the Phugtal monastery comprises of a temple, prayer rooms, a library, apartments, kitchens, the sacred spring and rare sacred texts. It is located in the remote valley of Lungnak in the south eastern Zanskar region. The area is familiar to many who have attempted the Chaddar trek but the monastery remains one of the best kept secrets of Ladakh. It is accessible only by foot and it lays 20 kms away from the nearest motor-able road and 450 Kms from the town of Leh. Supplies to the monastery are transported on the backs of horses and donkeys during summers. In the winter season the Zanskar glacier serves as a trail to the monastery. The 110 residents of the monastery are peaceful, intuitive beings.
Their isolation has interrupted their growth, and their ability to reach out to the world. Immense potential lies within this monastery, its authentic musical sense, dialect, food and other cultural assets are gems waiting to be discovered.
History of the Phugtal Monastery
A gompa is a place of spiritual learning and worship. The ancient Phugtal Gompa or monastery is over 2500 years old. It is recognized as part of the Gelug School of Buddhism. This current gompa was established in the 15th century by Tsongkhapa, the founder of the newest school of Tibetan Buddhism. It has been known to be visited by numerous monks, sages and scholars over centuries. The cave’s earliest residents included the 16 Arhats, the first followers of Buddha. The drawings of these Arhats can be seen on the cave walls even today. The current honey comb structure of the gompa was built around the original structure that is believed to be carved by scholars possessing super natural powers. Such is the history of this place of worship and meditation. For centuries humans have ventured here in search of peace, Knowledge and enlightenment.
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The remote settlements of the Himalayas continue to struggle for basic amenities in the 21st century. The future of these communities is at stake. They live in extreme climatic conditions, without electricity, health care and education.
Lighting the Himalayas is a journalistic feature series, committed to procurement and documentation of the on ground installation of renewable powered electric grid systems with cost effective, sustainable and scalable designs.
The great Himalayan ranges continue to bear the effects of climate change in the most extreme weather and living conditions. Longer summers, heavy rainfall, floods, droughts and soaring temperatures are one of the more evident symptoms of this disease.
To add to the severity of climate change almost 3000 Himalayan villages are based above an altitude of 13,000 Ft, which ensures that they remain cut-off from the world for over half a year.
The Lyungnak valley of ladakh, which is also home to the 2500 Phugtal Monastery and the remotest village of Zanskar Shade, has witnessed several calamities due to climate change in the last few years.
This is the story of bringing light to one of the remotest and oldest villages in the world. At an altitude of 14,300 feet, a team of highly motivated change makers, from several corners of the world take on the task of installing sustainable and scalable solar power grids in this pristine hamlet.
This endearing challenge begins in Leh, only to be redeemed 750 kilo meters away in the heart of the steepest, most unhabitable mountain peaks.
Season 1 of Lighting the Himalayas witnessed the 2500 year old Phugtal Monastery’s transition from darkness to light. And Season 2 will see the illumination of the remotest village of Zanskar, called Shade.
The Global Himalayan Expedition (GHE) is a social impact enterprise focused on creating tangible change in the remote Himalayan communities. Their approach includes, seeking of beauty and wisdom of the Himalayas and to share it with others through such expeditions. GHE aims to install sustainable & scalable solar power for the rural population of the Himalayan ranges. Their lives are pledged to the provision of green energy and education for the humble residents of this acute landscape.
In the past, GHE has held many other expeditions that involved successful installation of solar power in 10 off-grid Himalayan villages located above an altitude of 12000 Feet. In the near future, GHE will power up 30 more villages and bring light to them.
The remote Himalayan villages are struggling with basic amenities even in the 21st century. They live in the dark with limited resources, medical support and education.
NDTV, in association with Global Himalayan Expedition (GHE), powered up one such abode - a pristine monastery located in Phugtal. Solar micro-grids that produce green energy were installed to light up the ancient heritage home of 150 Monks.
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