Saspol Caves

Saspol Caves (a.k.a. Gon-Nila-Phuk Cave Temples) are situated in the hills behind Saspol, Ladakh, India, which is about 76 km from the city centre of Leh. Paintings exist in five caves, two of them extensively damaged. One of the painted caves, that have been given a coat of lime wash and red paint in the exterior is the most visited and is considered as the main cave. The paintings of Anuttarayoga Tantra (also known as Yoganiruttaratantra) in the main cave are very rare for the period of execution. These caves are under the administration of Likir Monastery.

Saspol Caves
Saspol Caves
Religion
AffiliationTibetan Buddhism
Location
LocationSaspol Caves, Leh District, Ladakh, India
Saspol Caves is located in Ladakh
Saspol Caves
Location in Leh District of Ladakh
Geographic coordinates34°15′N 77°9′E

Dating the era

Very few early painted cave temples exist in Ladakh and these paintings date to the late 14th/15th century CE.[1]

Preservation status

The caves, also known as Gon-Nila-Phuk Cave temples, are in danger of total collapse and were therefore listed in 2016 World Monuments Watch.[2] Rammed earth fortifications can be seen on top of the hill near the caves.

Conservation

Art and architectural conservation projects were carried out by the INTACH Ladakh Chapter in 2015 and 2016 in collaboration with M/s Art Conservation Solutions. The project was funded in 2015 by the Prince Claus Fund and in 2016 and 2018 by the World Monuments Fund.[3][4]

  • Ushnishavijaya
    Ushnishavijaya
  • Manjushri and Maitreya
    Manjushri and Maitreya
  • Amitabha in Sukhavati
    Amitabha in Sukhavati
  • Hevajra
    Hevajra
  • Avalokiteshwara painting and Manjushri & Maitreya painting
    Avalokiteshwara painting and Manjushri & Maitreya painting

See also
Tourism infrastructure
Borders
Conflicts

References
  1. Bellini, Chiara. 2014. “The Paintings of the Caves of Sa Spo La in Ladakh: Proof of the Development of the Religious Order of the DGe-Lugs in Indian Tibet during the 15th Century.” In From Mediterranean to Himalaya - A Festschrift to Commemorate the 120th Birthday of the Italian Tibetologist Giuseppe Tucci, edited by Dramdul and Francesco Sferra, 315–46, p.322
  2. "Gon-Nila-Phuk Cave Temples and Fort". wmf.org. Retrieved 1 August 2019.
  3. "Prince Claus Fund 2015 Annual Report". Issuu. Retrieved 24 December 2019.
  4. "Gon-Nila-Phuk Cave Temples and Fort". World Monuments Fund. Retrieved 24 December 2019.


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