Lighting The Himalayas Team Powers Up Phugtal Monastery

NDTV Prime, in association with the Global Himalayan Expedition (GHE), has undertaken an initiative to power up Phugtal Monastery. The monastery, tucked away in the heart of the Himalayas has always lived in darkness.

The expedition team woke up early in the morning to march up to the mountains to commence the electrification work at the Phugtal Monastery.

The Lamas of the Phugtal Monastery walked down to the bottom of the hill to receive the team that will light up their homes. As part of Buddhist traditions, the Lamas presented the team with Khataks.
The crew poses for the shutterbugs with a few little monks.
These two little monks have spent three years in darkness in this monastery.

The kitchen in Phugtal Monastery is built within a large cave that has turned black from coal and kerosene vapors. It is managed by a senior lama, but many little lamas work together to help with the chores.
The white cave dwellings was constructed over 2500 years ago by numerous sages and scholars who lived here to attain enlightenment.
These flags can be found all over Ladakh. They are almost a signature sign of a nearby settlement in an otherwise empty and cold desert.

All members of the team gather around the dining area of the monastery to observe the prayers performed by the lamas before lunch.
A young lama poses for the camera a couple of days ahead of the monastery being electrified with solar power.
Anwar Hussain from TataSky sits down with the monks in the dining area. All monks bring their own bowls in small cotton bags to the dining area, for every meal.