Winter is Coming

Some 5,500 meters (18,000 feet) above sea level in the Indian Himalayas sits the Tnagyud Gompa Buddhist monastery, where snow can leave the monks in complete isolation for seven months a year.

The monks and residents of the nearby village of Komik, said to be Asia's highest, are already feverishly preparing for winter, stocking up on food and fuel, drying vegetables — and praying.

"These are some of the busiest months as the permanent occupants follow a strict regime of Buddhist prayers, daily chores, preparation for winter months and study of the holy texts," said Perma Sandrup, the monastery's secretary.

The monastery is currently occupied by around 20 monks in their saffron robes and shaved heads, staging festivals and welcoming a trickle of intrepid visitors — but when the snows come only around a dozen will remain.

Buddhist monks walk down from a hill overlooking Tnagyud Gompa monastery in Komik village, in Spiti Valley of the Indian northern state of Himachal Pradesh.

Buddhist monks Nawang Tashi (R), 53, and Nawang Lodoe, 49, rest after the afternoon 'puja' at Tnagyud Gompa monastery in Komik village, in Spiti Valley of the Indian northern state of Himachal Pradesh.

Buddhist monk Nawang Jinpa, 30, prostrates at the prayer hall during a 'puja' at Tnagyud Gompa monastery in Komik village, in Spiti Valley of the Indian northern state of Himachal Pradesh.

Buddhist monks carry out daily chores at Tnagyud Gompa monastery in Komik village, in Spiti Valley of the Indian northern state of Himachal Pradesh.

Buddhist monk Nyima Kungha, 39, looks out from Tnagyud Gompa monastery as the sun sets in Komik village, in Spiti Valley of the Indian northern state of Himachal Pradesh.

Buddhist monk Lobzan Nyenda, 68, performs 'Parikama', a circumambulation around Tnagyud Gompa monastery, in Komik village, in Spiti Valley of the Indian northern state of Himachal Pradesh.

Buddhist monks leave on procession during a morning 'puja' at Tnagyud Gompa monastery in Komik village, in Spiti Valley of the Indian northern state of Himachal Pradesh.

Buddhists monks prostrate during a morning 'puja' at the prayer hall of Tnagyud Gompa monastery in Komik village, in Spiti Valley of the Indian northern state of Himachal Pradesh.

Buddhist monk Thupten Tsering ,43, checks himself on a phone during an afternoon 'puja' at Tnagyud Gompa monastery in Komik village, in Spiti Valley of the Indian northern state of Himachal Pradesh.

Indian Buddhist monk Nawang Jinpa, 30, arranges ritual utensils during an afternoon 'puja' at Tnagyud Gompa monastery in Komik village, in Spiti Valley of the Indian northern state of Himachal Pradesh.

Buddhist monk Nawang Jinpa (R), 30, makes 'puja' cakes for rituals at the eating area of Tnagyud Gompa monastery in Komik village, in Spiti Valley of the Indian northern state of Himachal Pradesh.

Buddhist monks and residents set up a metal pole on a hill top to set up new prayer flags ahead of a festival at Tnagyud Gompa monastery in Komik village, in Spiti Valley of the Indian northern state of Himachal Pradesh.

Buddhist monks eat breakfast after the morning 'puja' at Tnagyud Gompa monastery in Komik village, in Spiti Valley of the Indian northern state of Himachal Pradesh.

Buddhist monk Nawang Tashi (R), 53, walks with others past prayer flags atop a hill overlooking Tnagyud Gompa monastery in Komik village, in Spiti Valley of the Indian northern state of Himachal Pradesh.

A Buddhist monk plays with the wind amongst prayer flags on a hill overlooking Tnagyud Gompa monastery in Komik village, in Spiti Valley of the Indian northern state of Himachal Pradesh.

Buddhist monks Thumoten Lodoe (L), 37, and Nawang Lodoe, 49, play the 'gyaling' during a 'puja' at the prayer hall of Tnagyud Gompa monastery in Komik village, in Spiti Valley of the Indian northern state of Himachal Pradesh.

Buddhist monk Taspi Jamphel, 71, prays in his chamber after the afternoon 'puja' at Tnagyud Gompa monastery in Komik village, in Spiti Valley of the Indian northern state of Himachal Pradesh.

Buddhist monk Lobzan Nyenda Jinpa, 68, performs 'Parikama', a circumambulation around Tnagyud Gompa monastery, in Komik village, in Spiti Valley of the Indian northern state of Himachal Pradesh.

Buddhist monks perform 'Parikama', a circumambulation around Tnagyud Gompa monastery, in Komik village, in Spiti Valley of the Indian northern state of Himachal Pradesh.

Buddhist monks Nawang Tsultrim (L), 54, Lobzan Nyenda (C), 68, and Tashi Jamphel,71, sit in the afternoon sun while praying at Tnagyud Gompa monastery in Komik village, in Spiti Valley of the Indian northern state of Himachal Pradesh.

A stupa is seen at night near Tnagyud Gompa monastery in Komik village, in Spiti Valley of the Indian northern state of Himachal Pradesh.

A Buddhist monk shaves the head of another outside Tnagyud Gompa monastery in Komik village, in Spiti Valley of the Indian northern state of Himachal Pradesh.

Buddhist monks walk on procession during a morning 'puja' at Tnagyud Gompa monastery in Komik village, in Spiti Valley of the Indian northern state of Himachal Pradesh.

A Buddhist monk walks in the afternoon outside Tnagyud Gompa monastery in Komik village, in Spiti Valley of the Indian northern state of Himachal Pradesh.