Ladakh Hill Station
Ladakh is a mysterious land shrouded in myth and legend.Much of its ancient history is known only through the mythology of its people as its written history is of very recent origin.Known for centuries as the 'land of passes' (La-pass;Dakh-land),Ladakh was described by Fa-hian,who travelled across its inhospitable terrain in 399 A.D.,as 'The land where snow never melts and only corn ripens'. Its landscapes are forbidding by any measure.Snow-swathed mountains rise to several thousand feet above one of the most elevated plateux on earth.A treeless wind-swept country, much of Ladakh can be termed as mountains,Arctic desert,where everything is parched bt the rarefied dryness of the atmosphere.Scattered here and there, a few narrow fertile valleys provide a stark contrast to an otherwise barren,beautiful country of intense sunlight and clear sparkling air.The limpidity of the atmosphere, in fact gives the night sky a unique clarity, so full and bright with stars that one feels transported to some etheral setting far removed from earth. For endless years, mad had even discovered this remote land,several hardy animals and birds lived together here in an exquisite equilibrium.Circumstances have now changed as they have almost everywhere else on the subcontinent.
Historic Places to See
The most attractive features of the landscape of Leh are the Buddhist Gompas (monoasteries).The Gompas are situated on the highest points of the mountain spurs or sprawl over cliffsides,located in vicinity of villages and provide focus for the faith of Buddhists.The famous religious places include:-
Hemis:
Situated 40 Kms.from Leh,Hemis is the wealthiest,best known and biggest gompa of Ladakh.The annual festival of the gompa is held in summer in honour of Guru Padma Sambhav's birth anniversary.It also has the largest thanka(scroll
painting on silk or brocade) in Ladakh which is unfurled once in 12 years.Hemis was built in 1630 A.D.during the reign of Sengge Namgyal and flourished under the Namgyal dynasty.
Alchi:
The gompa is situated on the banks of the Indus,70 Kms from Leh and dates a thousand years back.The gompa os no longer an active religious centre and is looked after by monks from the Likir monastery.
Spituk:
The gompa stands prominently on the top of a hillock,8 Kms.from Leh,and commands a panaoramic view of the Indus Valley for miles.Many icons of Buddha and five thankas are found in 15th century monastery.There is also a collection of ancient masks,antique arms,and an awe inspiring image of Mahakal.
Phyang:
The monastery is situated 17 Kms.from Leh on the Leh-Kargil road.It was built by Tashi Namgyal in the later half of the 16th century A.D.and looks like a place from a distance.The gompa belongs to the Red Cap sect of the Buddhists.
Hundreds of icons of Budha are kept on wooden shelves.
Shey:
15 Kms upstream from Leh.The palace is belived to have been the seat of power of the pre-Tibetan kings.A 7.5 metre high copper statue of Buddha,plated with gold,and the largest of its kind,is installed in the palace.
Thikse:
The Thikse monastery is spectacularly situated 19 Kms from Leh.It is one of the largest and architecturally most impressive gompas.The gompa has images,stupas and wall paintings of Buddha which are exquisite.
Jama Masjid:
The historical mosque is situated in the heart of Leh town. It was built in 1666-67 A.D.consequent to an agreement between the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb and then ruler of Ladakh, Deldan Namgyal.
Leh Palace:
The palace is a distinguished monument and a historical building.The nine- storeyed palace was built by the 17th century illustrious ruler of Ladakh Sengge Namgyal.
Kargil:
The Distt has one of the oldest civilizations. These tribes are Dards and baltis. The baltis are said to be descendents of Sakas a central Asian race. Dards are located in Dras. There is a old stone statue near Dras. General zorawar Singh while conquering the area via Warwan Pass constructed a fort at proper Kargil
Ladakh Hill Station, Hill Station in India
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