Rechung-puk Monastery

A popular pilgrimage site associated with the illustrious Milarepa, the remains of Rechung-puk Monastery are set high on a dramastic escarpment that divides the two branches of the Yarlung Valley. 

Milarepa, founder of the Kagyupa order, is revered by many as Tibet's greatest songwriter and poet. It was his foremost disciple, Rechungpa (1083-1161), who founded Rechung-puk as a cave retreat. Later a monastery was established at the site, eventually housing up to 1000 monks. This now lies in ruins. For pilgrims. the draw of the monastery is the atmospgeric cave of black heruka, where they are thumped on the black with the stone footprint of Rechungpa.