Padum
the capital of the ancient kingdom of Zanskar, situated at a height of 3505
m is the present day administrative headquarters of the region. With a population
of nearly 1500, Padum can be described as the most populous settlement of Zanskar,
otherwise a very scarcely inhabited valley. Several places of tourist interest
in the vicinity of the township can be visited while you entertain a walk. The
closest monument is a group of ancient rock carvings on a huge boulder near
the river bank, just beneath the old township. These rock carvings dates back
to the 8th century and provide an evidence of North Indian Buddhism influence
since ancient times. The Starrimo Monastery with about 30 resident monks clings
to a tree-covered ridge above the old town. Across the expanse of cultivation
is the old village of Pibiting, dominated by its scenic hilltop monastery, a
magnificent manifestation of stupa architecture.
Buddhism, especially the Trans-Himalayan Buddhism from Tibet is the very essence
of living in Ladakh. Partly because of the royal patronage, the central part
of Ladakh has the greatest concentration of major Gompas or monasteries. Monasteries
of Phiyang, Hemis and Chemrey belong to the Namgyal dynasty period and are a
major attraction during their monastic festivals. The reformist group monasteries
are also well represented in central Ladakh by Thikse, Likkir, Rhidzong and
Spituk. Buddhist study centers have been set up at both Leh and Choglamsar.
Summer meditation sessions are held at the Mahabodhi Meditation Center on Changspa
Lane.
It is mainly along the course of this valley system that the region's 10,000
strong, mainly Buddhists population lives. Spread over an estimated geographical
area of 5000 sq. kms, High rise, mountains and deep gorges surround Zanskar.
The area remains inaccessible for nearly 8 months a year due to heavy snowfall
resulting in closure of all the access passes, including the Penzi-la. To-day,
Zanskar has the distinction of being the least interfered with microcosms of
Ladakh, and one of the last few surviving cultural satellites of Tibet. Within
the mountain ramparts of this lost Shangrila stand a number of ancient yet active
monastic establishments. Some of these religious foundations have evolved around
remote meditation caves believed to have been used by a succession of famous
Buddhist saints for prolonged meditation in pursuit of knowledge and enlightenment.
Ladakh Pilgrimage Tour 
Number
of Buddhist Gompas and monasteries signify the reigning religion of Ladakh as
Buddhism. The monastic festivals at Phiyang monastery, Hemis monastery and Chemrey
monastery are quite popular. All these monasteries belong to Namghyal dynasty.
Tibetan Buddhism heavily influences Ladakh and central Ladakh sports many of
the monasteries of the reformist group such as the famous Thikse monastery,
Likkir monastery, Rhidzong monastery and Spituk monastery. Leh and Choglamsar
have Buddhist study centers and in summers. Most of the Ladakhis are Buddhists
and it is believed that Buddhist saints have meditated in caves of the mountains
of the region for many years to attain knowledge and enlightenment. Zanska is
a famous cultural satellite of Ladakh.
Padum
The erstwhile capital of Zanskar, Padum is situated at 3505 m above sea level.
It is the only area in Ladakh where half the population is Muslim. Besides
being the administrative headquarters and the most populous town of Zanskar,
Padum is a major trekking base and a well-known tourist destination. The 8th
century monument with ancient rock carving below the old township testifies
the heavy influence of North Indian Buddhism in the region since those times.
Above the old town, is the Starrimo Monastery situated on a ridge covered
by trees. About 30 monks live there. A beautiful monastery atop the hill in
the nearby village of Pibiting offers excellent panoramic views and is exemplary
in Stupa architecture.
Stongdey
Situated 18 km to the north of Padum, the old Stongdey monastery is associated
with Marpa, the Tibetan Yogi. Now, it is Zanslar's second largest monastic
establishment. About 60 Gelukpa monks live there. Each of the shrines of this
enormous temple complex houses a wealth of region's rich monastic legacy in
itself. The breathtaking views of the valley available from the monastery
are worth all the pains of ascending the rocky terrain.
Zangla
35 km north of Padum, is the erstwhile kingdom of Zangla. Among the ruins
of the old castle, is the small chapel on the hilltop providing panoramic
views of the desert valley below. The old Nunnery nearby is noteworthy for
the austere life style of nuns living here. Other notable place worth visiting
is the old monastery of Tsazar, the nearby village. It has lovely frescos.
Zangla is also the nodal point of the round trip covering major cultural sites
of Zanskar such as Padum, Strongdey, Zangla and Karsha. The old rope suspension
bridge (out of use now) here is an evidence of the folk engineering of the
region.
Sani
6 km west of Padum, is the palatial monastery of Sani. Typical in its own
right, it is built at the ground level unlike others, which can be usually
be seen mounting the hill tops or solitary cliffs. It was founded with the
establishment of the Kanika stupa, now in the backyard of the monastery. There
is a huge multi-columned prayer hall in the center adorned with a number of
statues of Buddhist deities and Drugpa saints. The neglected chapel in its
back, however, has most beautiful frescoes and stucco murals on the walls
depicting scenes from the life of Padma-sambhava. In late July, an annual
festival is held at the Kanika stupa to commemorate the meditation of the
renowned Indian yogi, Naropa featuring masked dances of monks from Bardan
monastery as a ritual offering.
