Location
: Jammu
& Kashmir
Altitude Range : 2,500 To 4,500m
Main Attractions : Trekking, Mountaineering, Camping, Water Rafting,
And Buddhist Monasteries
Best Time To Visit : June To End September
Leh - The Land With Sheer Beauty and Majestic Mountains
Leh
has quite a few amazing places to offer its tourists. In between sheer beauty
and majestic mountains, gradually fused into an oasis of green fields, Leh is
based on the banks of the river Indus, at a height of 11,000 feet. Leh airport
is Ladakh's only link with the outside world for the seven months of the year.
Leh
is the administrative, commercial and cultural capital of Ladakh with a population
of 10,000 people, mainly Buddhist. A memorable sight of the Leh bazar is the
group of women, traditionally attired, selling fruits, vegetables and household
articles, spinning and knitting, and exchanging gentle banter between themselves
and with passers-by.
The mosque, city palace, the bazar and the gompas, are all within walking
distance. Rumbak and Markha offer exciting treks, while Stok Kangri is the
best for a climb. Boating and river running too are possible on the Indus.
Arriving At Leh
By Flight : Leh - Leh is the main airport for this area.
Direct flights link it to Delhi, Chandigarh, Srinagar and Jammu. Kargil,
Suru and Zanskar valleys - Srinagar and Leh airports are both convenient.
By Roadways : Leh - Srinagar-Leh road is the main route
with an over night halt at Kargil. The road is open between mid June and
November. Ordinary and deluxe buses of the J&K state road transport
corporation regularly ply on this route. Taxis can also be hired at Srinagar
for this trip.
The Major Fascinating Sights At Leh
Leh
Palace : This palace described has a miniature version of Lhasa's Potala
Palace. It was built in the mid of 16th century by King Singe Namgyal. It is
still owned by the royal family. This palace has nine storeys. One part of the
palace is occupied by the museum. Its narrow passages lined with paintings,
arms and old thankas (cloth painted with Tibetian deity). Its central prayer
room has religious texts lining the walls. There is a ruined palace / fort set
above the Leh palace. The remains of the Leh Gompa houses a large golden Buddha,
murals, painted scrolls and old manuscripts.
The Tsemo Gompa : The Tsemo Gompa or Red Gompa is situated
at the north of the city has a strenuous walkable distance. The left side of
its entrance has the portrait of Tashi Namgyal. It has a colossal 2-storey
high image of Maitreya, flanked by Avalokitesvara and Manjusri figures.
Soma Gompa : The new Soma Gompa is a new monastery
situated at old village. It was built in 1957 to commemorate the 2,500th
birth-day of Buddha.
Hemis : It is 40 Km south of Leh, along a road crossing
the Indus. Among the innumerable tankhas (paintings on cloth), there is one
which is supposed to be the biggest of its kind in existence. The exposition
of this tankhas takes place once in eleven years. Every year, in June, a
fair (' Mela of Hemis Gompa') takes place at Hemis which is a colourful
occasion for the mask dances.
Tiksey : It is 25km south of Leh. This is considered as
one of the most imposing monastery in Ladakh. It is a 12-storey monastery
painted in red and white and ochre. It has 10 temples surrouned by typical
tapering walls. 60 lamas and a nunnery reside at the hill side below. The
complex contains numerous stupas, wall paintings, tankas, statues, large
pillar engraved with Buddha teachings and swords. The interior of new temple
dominated by a giant 15 meters high Buddha figure.
