Ladakh Hill Station
Ladakh
ladakh
Land of the Gompa and the Lama Beyond
the valley of Kashmir, on top of insurmountable mountains, lies Ladakh, the
Shan-gri-la of the adventurous travellers. It is a land of barren rocks, a
wasteland, with gompas or monasteries carved into the hillside. Magnificent
statues of the Buddha, art treasures and tankhas (painted scrolls) are there
in plenty for the lover of art to see and enjoy.Leh, the capital, is an
oasis surrounded by mountains in horse-shoe formation and is part of the
remote Karakoram ranges of the Himalayas.
WHAT
TO SEE» Leh Khar Palace, built in the 16th
century. There are wall paintings of the life of the Buddha. It has a
collection of 100-year old tankhas, statues etc.
» The
Leh monastery which houses a solid gold statue of the Buddha.
»
The Leh Mosque, of Turko-Iranian architecture, built in 1594.
»
Tsemo Gompa, one of the royal monasteries.
EXCURSIONS»
Shankar Gompa (3 km.), has an outstanding collection of small statues of
pure gold and paintings.
» Spituk Monastery (8 km.),
has a collection of tankhas and face masks.
» Shey Palace
and Monastery (15 km.), the summer palace of the former Raja of Leh. The
monastery has a 2-storeyed statue of the sitting Buddha, (Visit to be
arranged through the Lama beforehand).
» Thiksey
Monastery (19 km.) en route to Hemis, presents a panoramic view of the
Indus Valley and a collection of art in its chambers.
»
Fiang Gompa (20 km.), the monastery of the red sect of Buddhists, has an
exquisite collection of statues and tankhas.
» Hemis
Gompa (49 km.), has an impressive collection of tankhas, gold statues
and stupas embedded with precious stones.
» Lamayuru
(125 km.), Ladakh’s oldest monastery. There are caves carved into the
mountains.
»
Alchi and Likir Gompas (135 km.), have 1000-year old wall paintings.
» Mulbekh Monastery (190 km.), has a huge standing
Buddha carved out of rock.
FESTIVALS OF SPECIAL
LOCAL INTEREST » Hemis Festival (June)
commemorates the birth of Guru Padmasambhava, who fought with demons to
protect his people. For 3 days there is gaiety, joy and worship. Masked
dances are a part of the celebrations.
» Losar.
Dating back to the 15th century, it is celebrated in the 11th month of the
Buddhist year. There are several more festivals.
SHOPPINGHand-woven
carpets with dragon designs, copper and silver trinkets set with turquoise,
tankhas or scrolls. (Buying and selling of antique is forbidden by low.)
SPORTING PASTIMES/TREKSArchery contests
are held in the seasons.Trekking in Ladakh is spectacular as it goes through
high mountains. However it is advisable to be fully equipped before setting
out, and to take a porter and ponies from Leh, Lamayuru or Padam, from where
the treks commences. Some famous treks are -- Leh - Kargil, Kargil - Suru -
Zanskar - Kishtwar - Manali and Kargil - Suru - Wardwan - Kishtwar -
Pahalgam. There are also many short treks.
