Himalayan Cultural Heritage Foundation
Preserving the Legacy of Mountain people
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With Your Help, We are Making The Himalayas a Better Place
The Himalayan Cultural Heritage Foundation has been working for the past 15 years to conserve and preserve the natural and cultural heritage of the Himalayas, particularly in Ladakh, with generous support and donations from well-wishers. We appreciate the contributions provided by our supporters in any form that is possible.
Sustainable Solutions For The Future
The activities of HCHF are language and literary development, community-based management of cultural and natural resources, folk traditions, art and craft skills promotion and revival, and preservation of cultural and natural heritage. In order to encourage community involvement and cultural preservation, we also place a strong emphasis on awareness campaigns and training workshops. Another important aim is to encourage scientific research and documentation of the impact of climate change on these mountain cultures. This knowledge, we believe, will propel the development of sustainable solutions to mitigate its degradation.
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Conservation and Restoration
Stupas belong to the oldest architectural forms been built in all countries where Buddhist philosophy flourished. Their actual shapes and symbolism developed for more than 2550 years and became a multi-purpose symbol, a treasure of knowledge about outer and inner phenomena, the universe, the nature of our mind and the path leading to the state of full development or enlightenment.
So far, HCHF has restored 60+ stupas across various villages in Ladakh and trained local masons to restore heritage sites. We have also successfully completed five major ancient wall painting conservation projects in Sumda Chun Stupa (Sumda village), Takkhung Khawoche (Cave Temple, Leh), Chomophu Temple (Nubra), Bodhkharbu Gonpa (Kargil), and a painted stupa (Shara village).
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Latest News
Heritage committee members visited Digar and Tangyar
On request of the Goba (village head) of Digar, Nubra, the members of the Heritage Committee of the Ladakh Buddhist Association visited the heritage sites in the village, especially the ones damaged by recent road construction and encroached by individuals. While...
Field visit to Zanskar to assess the state of heritage monuments
From June 29 to July 2, 2024, Dr. Sonam Wangchok, the founder of the Himalayan Cultural Heritage Foundation, conducted a field visit to Zanskar to assess the state of heritage monuments during the ongoing rapid development projects, such as the building of roads from...
LAMO and HCHF Launched Five Books in Nubra, Ladakh
Five books on “Mapping the Culture and Heritage of Nubra" were launched in Chamshen, Nubra, by LAMO and the Himalayan Cultural Heritage Foundation (HCHF). Four Walk books and one book of inventory of cultural resources are the result of a year-long project initiated...
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Upcomming Events
19-25
Nov 2024
World Heritage Week
21
Jan 2025