Hi, my name is Prajval. Three years ago, I travelled to one of the most remote and extraordinary places on earth: Phuktal Monastery in Zanskar. Perched high in the cliffs and accessible only by foot, it feels like something out of a dream. I spent time there volunteering, teaching the monks, and was welcomed with kindness and wisdom. The friendships and lessons I took away have stayed with me ever since.

That is why the news that the monastery’s prayer hall has been destroyed is heartbreaking. This space was the beating heart of the community, where monks gathered each day for prayer, learning, and teaching. Its loss has left a deep void.

Because of Phuktal’s extreme isolation (a 16 hour drive and 5 hour trek from the nearest city) the monks cannot receive online donations. I am planning to return, and I hope to carry your generosity - both donations and well wishes - with me. Contributions will go directly towards the rebuilding of the prayer hall: materials, transport (a huge challenge in the mountains), and local labour.

Phuktal is more than a monastery. It is a living link to a centuries-old Himalayan Buddhist tradition, a sanctuary of peace and learning in one of the world’s harshest yet most beautiful landscapes. By helping rebuild, you are preserving a cultural and spiritual legacy for generations to come, for people who are rarely able to get any support.

No donation is too small. Please give what you can, share this appeal, and help ensure that the prayers of Phuktal continue to rise from the mountains of Zanskar.