Ladakh

The itinerary of the average tourist to Ladakh begins with a tour of Leh , ancient capital and present day principal township of Ladakh. It invariably includes  day return visits to a selection of monasteries located along a stretch of the Indus valley, between the spectacular monastery of Lamayuru in the west and the prestigious establishment of Hemis in the east. Some take to trekking along the lateral valleys, especially in Markha, but few venture out of the confines of the Central Indus Valley which represents Ladakh's heartland. However, during the last decade a gradual change in the tourist's perception of Ladakh has come about, thanks to growing mystique of the Himalayas and a burgeoning interests in adventure tourism worldwide. As a result of this change in perception there has been a steady increase in the number of tourists to the Western flank of Ladakh which comprises several river valleys. Chief among these are the spectacular valleys of Suru and Zanskar, nestling along the foothills of the main range of Greater Himalayas ; the smaller lateral valleys of Drass and Wakha Mulbek, as also of Chiktan (Still in the restricted zone) constitute important subsidiaries. Drained and formed by the southeastern tributaries of the high Indus, these valleys constitutes the district of Kargil. Buddhist Monasteries An emissary of king Ashoka brought Buddhism to Ladakh as early as the 3rd century B.C. Beginning with a belief that rejected idol worship, and worshipped the Buddha in a symbolic from, Buddhism eventually began giving shape to the Buddha and depicting him in statue, murals and paintings. Of these, Ladakh has a rich variety. The ancient Buddishist monasteries, or gompas, hold immemorial treasures: frescoes, images, tankhas, and rare manuscripts. Ladakh has 12 main monasteries and some 5,000 lamas. Most of the famous monasteries are easily accessible from Leh. Hemis Gompa:Ladakh's biggest monastery, it is 49 Km from Leh on the Leh Manali road. The monastery contains quite a few gold statues and stupas decorated with precious stones. It has superb collection of tankhas, including one which is supposed to be largest one in existence and is exhibited only once every 11 years. En route to Hemis Gompa, the Thikey monastery provides a panormic view of the green Indus valley from its vantage point atop a hill. It has chambers full of statues, stupas and tankhas. There are 60 resident lamas and allegedly nunnery. Shey Palace And Monastery: Also on the way to Hemis Gompa, and 15 Km from Leh, is the summer palace of the erstwhile Raja of Leh. Set upon a hill, and houses the largest golden-topped victory stupa, the monastery has a 2 storied statue of the sitting Buddha, wrought of copper and gold, that leaves the sense breathless. Since the monastery is exclusive. Sankar Gumpa: Just 3 Km from Leh is the monastery, that has a formidable collection of miniature statues of pure gold and a number of exiting paintings. It is well - Lit and may be visited in the evening as well. Spituk Monastery: Just before Leh on the Srinagar - Leh road , on the hilltop overlooking the Indus, the Spituk monastery boasts not only of some prized tankhas, but of a chamber with enormous statues of Kali, whose faces are unveiled but once a year. The chamber contains an ancient collection of face masks too. It is recommended that you visit the monastery on the puja day. Fiang Gompa:  The monastery of the red sect of the Buddhists. Fiang Gompa lies 20 Km short of Leh on the Srinagar-Leh road. The monastery possesses some exquisite statues and tankhas. Alchi & Likir Gompa:  These two monasteries are to be found near Saspol on the Srinagar-Leh road. They house a great deal of gigantic clay statues of the Buddha in various forms. The primary attraction of theses monasteries is however, their 1,000 year old wall painting, which make a visit more than a worthwhile. Lamayuru Monastery:  On crossing Fatu-La, the highest point on the Srinagar-Leh road, if you take a winding that descends into the Indus valley, a sudden bend in the road will reveal a strange village with a monastery atop it. This is Lamayuru , Ladakh's oldest monastery. These are fascinating caves carved out of mountainsides. Mulbekh Monastery: The village of Mulbekh, on the way to Namika-la, has a unique sight: a huge image of the Buddha carved out of rock on the right side of the road. Its monastery is perched on the high rock over the village and the valley. It has some prized relics.