11 Results found for Search: ladakh
1. Bactrian Camel Ride, Nubra Valley.
Bactrian camel rides are a major form of tourist activity in the Nubra Valley today. The double-humped camels, which were once used as pack animals have now become increasingly popular among a large number of tourists who come here for this most unusual experience. This highly interesting ride is flagged off from different locations and takes tourists through various points of interest along the Silk Route. Swaying rhythmically with the movements of these twin-humped, large even-toed ungulates you can be your own Lawrence of Arabia and eye such sights as the graveyard of Hor, Diskit Monastery and The Dalai Lama’s palace.
2. Chemrey and Takthok Monasteries, Leh.
Belonging to the Drugpa order of Buddhism, the Chemrey Monastery was founded in the early 17th century by Lama Tagsang Raschen under the tutelage of King Sengge Namgyal, although a theory presented by acclaimed historian Luciano Petech declares it as a monument built in 1664 to honor the king after his death. The monastery holds, among many relics, the famed one-storey high statue of Padmasambhava who was also known as Guru Rinpoche and even regarded as the second Buddha by the Nyingma school followers.
Takthok Monastery, variably known as Thag Thog and even Thak Thak, is a mid-16th century monastery, which is the only one in Leh to follow the Nyingma school of Buddhism. Interestingly, the literal meaning of Takthok is ‘rock-roof,’ named so because of the discovery of a cave inside the monastery, which was believed to have been inhabited by Padmasambhava for three years to meditate during the 8th century.
3. Choglamsar SOS Village, Stok Palace, Leh.
The SOS Tibetan Children’s Village (TCV), a milestone achievement and an enthusiastic foray into social development, is an institutional effort at spreading child education initiated through a joint collaboration of his Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Indian Government. Aptly dubbed as the “Oasis in the Desert,” the SOS TCV became operational in 1975 and now offers quality education to more than 1400 children, backed up by modern facilities and the support of about 200 dedicated staff. Built in the first quarter of the 19th century by the last ruler of Ladakh, King Tsespal Tondup Namgyal, the Stok Palace is a four storey edifice constructed over a large heap of moraine. Within the palace complex is the Stok or Stak Museum, which houses such valuable royal family artifacts like thangkas, traditional attires, jewelry, weapons and Buddhist art. An interesting thing that you will notice here is the decking of the ceremonial headdresses (Peraks) of the kings with valuable stones like turquoise, coral, lapis lazuli and even gold.
4. Diskit Gompa, Nubra Valley.
As the largest and the oldest surviving monastery in the Nubra Valley, Diskit Monastery or Diskit Gompa occupies a special place in the history of Tibetan Buddhism and belongs to its Gelugpa (Yellow Hat) sect. Changzem Tserab Zangpo, the disciple of Tsong Khapa, the founder of this sect, established the monastery in the 14th century. The architecture of the monastery is typically Tibetan with various (slightly damaged but few renovated) murals inside it depicting paintings of the Guardians of the world, whose images grimly grace the second floor chamber as well. A visit to the Diskit Monastery will offer you a chance to develop a wholly fresh perspective about life, one that will only deepen your ties with spiritualism.
5. Leh Palace, Namgyal Tsemo Hill, Leh.
The nine-storey high Leh Palace is one magnificent edifice, which was built by King Sengge Namgyal in the 17th century with an uncanny resemblance to the Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet. With the Ladakh mountain range as its backdrop towards the north, the Leh Palace is an architectural marvel that opens up sprawling views of the entire town and its surrounding areas from the rooftop. Further up from the Leh Palace, the Namgyal Tsemo Hill rises over it like a kingly ceremonial headgear and is the resting ground for an ancient fort ruin. What remains of this fort today are mere bricks and stones, offering testimony to a once great campaign that King Tashi Namgyal had undertaken in the 16th century. This fort is said to have been the earliest royal residence of the Namgyal dynasty and is flanked by some temples built in veneration of the guardian deities. Amazingly, these temples are still standing today, unlike the fort, and are visited everyday yet by a monk who opens the doors to light the butter-filled lamps every morning and evening in adoration of the deities.
6. Panamik Hot Sulfur Spring, Nubra Valley.
For as long as we can remember mortals have forever been spellbound by the mysteries of the world in any form and shape, including what we know as hot water springs. Panamik is one such place that has invited the attention of a growing number of people in the recent times. Situated about 150 kilometers (93 miles) away from Leh and at an altitude of 3183 meters (10,442 feet) the village of Panamik plays host to a hot water spring in the middle of nowhere. It’s been said that the temperature of the water is really hot, with sulfur being established as the chemical that’s present here. No wonder it’s believed to be laden with healing properties, the effects of which can probably be experienced if you take a dip here.
7. Pangong Tso (Lake), Pangong.
Pangong is on the must do list of most travelers to Ladakh. Not without reason! The stark beauty and serenity of the lake has been known to touch a tender chord in even the most hardened traveler. After getting used to the parched landscape of Ladakh, Pangong comes as breathtaking sight. Often, the haunting play of light and shadow on the hills around the lake greets visitors. And when the clouds clear, sun rays play magic with the crystal clear water imparting colors from aqua to shades of orange. The effect is surreal.
Most travelers to Ladakh do a day visit to Pangong from Leh. An overnight stay is highly recommended though. Given that the two-drive is over 300 kilometers, it is advisable to stay either by the lake side or at small settlements en route. A lifetime’s experience shouldn’t be rushed through anyways!
8. Shanti Stupa, Leh.
There is a very tranquil structure that rests at an altitude of 4,267 meters (14,000 feet) on a hilltop in Changspa village, about 5 kilometers (3.1 miles) from Leh. The Shanti Stupa was built by the Nipponzan-Myohoji order of Japan, a religious community that has been engaged in the construction of peace pagodas and temples in various parts of the world. The architectural treatment of Shanti Stupa is really unique. You will be greeted with a highly striking dual-level structure featuring a carved relief of the Dharmachakra (Wheel of Dharma) at the centre of the first level, flanked by two deer and some Buddhist followers. Post sunset, Shanti Stupa is completely illuminated, offering visitors a unique experience.
9. Shey, Thiksey & Hemis Monasteries, Leh.
Located in the upper Indus Valley, the Shey Palace was built by King Deldan Namgyal (aka Lhachen Palgyigon) in 1655 to serve as a summer retreat for the Ladakhi kings. He added the Shey Monastery within the palace complex in the same year to honor his departed father, Singay Namgyal. The monastery houses a 12 meters (39 feet) high gilded copper statue of the Sakyamuni Buddha in a seated posture, which is presumably the second largest in Ladakh. The Thiksey Monastery is a fort monastery that’s built in the likeness of the Potala Palace of Lhasa, Tibet and houses about 60 monks. This is the most important monastery in Ladakh and governs ten more monasteries under it. Painted in red, yellow-ochre and white, this fort monastery offers some amazing views of the Shey Palace and the Stok Palace across the Indus Valley flood plain. About 45 kilometers (28 miles) from Leh at a height of 3,657 meters (12,000 feet), the Hemis Gompa is one of the highest monasteries of the world. The rare 17th century murals and the painted stone reliefs adorning the courtyard gallery make the Hemis Gompa a true heritage site, which is why the Archaeological Survey of India submitted its name to UNESCO in 1998 to be considered in its list of World Heritage Sites.
10. Spituk, Phyang, Leh.
The very first feeling that will overcome you when you behold the Spituk Monastery is an overwhelming calmness that you had longed for all your life. And that’s because monastic life here is an example for others to follow if only to achieve spiritual enlightenment. This tri-chapel designed monastery has a huge collection of antique thangkas, masks of deities, weapons and images of Lord Buddha and Amitayus, besides a high throne for the Dalai Lama in the Dukhang (main temple). Phyang Gompa is another ancient Buddhist monastery that was once a part of several monastic structures gifted to Chosje Damma Kunga during the period of Dharmaraja Jamyang Namgyal. The most interesting thing about this monastery is a 900 year old museum within the complex, which is a vast storehouse of enormous-sized thangkas, firearms and weapons from China, Mongolia and Tibet, idols of various deities and Kashmiri bronze artifacts.
11. Sumur village & Samstemling Gompa, Nubra Valley.
At an elevation of 3096 meters (10,157 feet) and 28 kilometers (17 miles) from Panamik, Sumur village rests along the Nubra River and is an amazingly picturesque settlement with vast expanses of green fields reaching up till the valley parapets. Other than Diskit, Sumur is the only other village in Nubra Valley that organizes a grand festival every year with camel races, ibex and peacock dances, traditional archery competitions, traditional marriage ceremonies, war dances and even flower exhibitions. However, the biggest attraction of Sumur village is undoubtedly the Samstemling Gompa or Samstemling Monastery. As an entire complex comprising seven different temples, it is a fabulous storehouse of a huge collection of thangkas and arduously restored frescoes, which can be found, distributed neatly across the several prayer halls here.