In 2009 NIRLAC began planning for the restoration of the monastery at Hanle.  Located at over 14,000 ft in the remote Chang Tang region of Ladakh, Hanle is one of the most significant monasteries of the Drukpa sect.  Unfortunately, the monastery has fallen into disrepair and is badly in need of conservation.  To learn more about Hanle, and the restoration efforts, please watch this short video:

                                                     (Video by Erik Koto)

General Description

The site comprises a 17th cent. Gonpa of the Tibetan Druk-pa Kagyu branch of Tibetan

Buddhism on an old branch of the ancient Ladakh-Tibet trade route and was constructed

around 1624 A.D under the patronage of the Ladakhi king Sengge Namgyal with the

assistance of the famous Tibetan priest Stag-tsang-ras-pa.

The Gonpa, at a height of about 14000 ft, is located on top of a low hill that dominates

the Changthang highlands and Hanle river below. A school and community centre is

situated in a small settlement at the base of the hill. The Gonpa is an imposing two storied

linear building built on top of a very high plinth; the high plinth is constructed in stone

and mud mortar and the upper two storeys in mud brick and mud mortar. Additional

fortifications of bastions, ramparts and gates are defences constructed around for

protection of the monastery. Few outlying structures, mainly residential quarters for

monks (tashaks), are located towards the South-West of the complex. Some remnants of

a palace exist along the southern periphery of the hill. An astrophysics observatory run by

the Govt. of India is located on a nearby hill.

Approx 47 monks including about 15 child-monks are associated with the Gonpa. The

child-monks undertake lessons in the school whereas the others perform rituals and

prayers in the Gonpa and adjoining villages.

Facilities

The community centre close to the school (at the base of the hill) is the only lodging

available in the near vicinity. Lodging is also possible in the village nearby but this would

have minimum amenities. There is little or no electricity for the most part of the day and

night. A generator is available at the community centre. Few monks use the community

centre as their residence as there is very little usable accommodation at the Gonpa. A dry

(Ladakhi) toilet is located about 50 yards away from the community centre. Water for

drinking is sourced directly from the stream/river that flows about 200 yards away at a

point closest to the community centre. One of the rooms of the community centre is used

as a kitchen by the monks living there and is equipped with a gas stove.

Building

The building has been previously documented by INTACH in 2002. Copies of the

drawings were used for orientation within the site. The Gonpa complex itself can be

visualized as divided into 3 parts, the first being the inner section with the temples

(Lhamokhang, Dukhang & Gonkhang), the next being the temple courtyard and all

constructed rooms around including the outlying tashaks and the last being the palace

remnants together with the fortifications.

The Gonpa complex is in a fair state of preservation except for the fortifications and most

outlying tashaks. A majority of the rooms are however uninhabitable due to lack of

maintenance and basic fixtures/amenities. The outlying tashaks are in a dilapidated state.

Issues for conservation include water seepage from the roof, cracks in the masonry below

beams, degraded flooring and weakened roofs though most of the extant timber elements

in the temples appear sound. The flooring of the Dukhang and Lhamokhang was found to

be Arga.

A complete conservation/restoration effort required for the whole site would be enormous

and must be spread over various phases in accordance of priority.

Art features

Exquisite wall paintings (and some sculptures) are divided over the Lhamokhang (first

floor – above Gonkhang), Dukhang (Ground Floor – outer chamber) and Gonkhang

(Ground floor – inner chamber), each executed in a stylistically different manner. The

paintings exhibit damages related to water seepage, soot/soil deposition and the effects of

building related problems such as cracks, bulges, plaster de-lamination etc. In general

however their support does not appear to be unstable, their deterioration and current state

inherently linked to the state of the structure. Interestingly little or no published literature

is available on the wall paintings and any detailed study would be the first of its kind for

the site. In terms of significance the painted surfaces of the Lhamokhang would be

ascribed the highest importance (associational value with priest Stag-tsang-ras-pa),

followed by the Gonkhang and finally the Dukhang. Their conservation could

accordingly be spread out phase wise. A room housing manuscripts wrapped and stored

on a rack is located adjacent to the Lhamokhang.

Discussions with community

An informal discussion was carried out with senior monks and secretary of the village

welfare society (on 13 Oct 2009) to hear their point of view and discuss matters related to

the proposed revitalization of the site.

It was clear from the discussions that the foremost problem was the lack of resources for

the maintenance of the Gonpa and the absence of amenities making the structure more or

less uninhabitable. In fact it was learnt that most of the monks remained in the Gonpa in

the day but returned to their homes in the village at night as there was very few rooms (in

the Gonpa) fit for living. From the discussions it was also evident that the community

saw the proposed works not limited to conservation only but also as a link to the outside

world to generate revenue and resource for their round the year maintenance. They were

willing to assist and be trained in building related works. In terms of priority they desired

that the wall paintings of the Lhamokhang be first conserved /restored to be followed

subsequently by the others. The secretary informed that the community would contribute

by making themselves available in turns to assist in works that may take place. It was

also learnt that a yearly festival of 3-4 duration is held in the Gonpa premises in which

the whole community actively participates.

Objectives

1. Conservation of the Gonpa and its fortifications – Phased approach

2. Provision of modern amenities in monks residential quarters (tashaks)

3. Conservation of wall paintings – Phased approach

4. Assist in securing recurring Government grants for yearly maintenance of site

5. Provision of natural & renewable energy resources (solar, wind etc.) to meet site

requirements

6. Providing facilities for supply and storage of water

7. Research on arts and crafts employed in the region and at site

8. Training of select monks and community members in building arts/crafts for

subsequent employment at other Gonpas as well

Proposed Implementation Framework – Phase I

1. Total station survey of site

2. Condition mapping and assessment (using existing architectural drawings as a

base)

3. Evaluation of amenities required for Monks quarters in specific and Gonpa in

general

4. Documentation of wall paintings of Lhamokang

5. Training of monks in building crafts

6. Research on Arga flooring – materials and techniques

7. Feasibility study on provision of water supply and sanitation

8. Feasibility study on provision of natural & renewable energy resources