Restoration of Kadhampa Chorten in Karsha, Zanskar
Kadhampa Chorten before renovation (left) and after (right).
Studio Nyandak recently completed a pilot restoration of Kadhampa Chorten, located above Karsha Monastery in Zanskar. Kadhampa Chorten is of the Painted Gateway Stupa typology and houses ancient inner murals, including an Aksobhya mandala mural dating from the late 12th to early 13th century. The completed restoration project aims to safeguard Kadhampa Chorten’s precious sacred artwork and heritage using only vernacular building methods. Studio Nyandak completed this project with assistance from Professor Robert Linrothe, leading scholar of Western Himalayan Buddhist art.
Through local partnerships with the Karsha Monastery abbot Lobzang Khedup, the site’s caretaker Gelong Angchuk, local master builder and plasterer Ashang Cholden, and Zanskari Studio Nyandak team member Stanzin Stankong, the restoration successfully stabilized the Chorten, re-plastered its exterior, and protected its murals from water damage.
Local construction workers unload vernacular building materials transported by donkey at Kadhampa Chorten.
Local construction workers apply vernacular earthen plaster material to Kadhampa Chorten.
Architectural section of Kadhampa Chorten (Studio Nyandak 2025).
Kadhampa Chorten plan drawing (Studio Nyandak 2025).
Damage map of Kadhampa Chorten’s inner mural (Studio Nyandak 2025).
