WHAT TO SEE IN LEH LADAKH.
LEH offers a wide platter of memorable places in the form of MONASTERIES, MONUMENTS, High Altitude LAKES, picturesque Valleys, Rivers, Barren snowcapped mountains, Trekking opportunities, Adventure sports, places of Strategic importance etc. The high altitude region of LEH with its harsh environment & extreme climatic conditions transform these places into stark contrast vistas. These visuals are unique to experience compared to the conventional lush greeneries of any hill station in the world. LADAKH also offers a window to experience the traditional culture, its festivals, simple life style of the locals & above all the warm hospitality of the people dwelling in this region. These unique features sets LADAKH destination apart from any other place in the world. Thousands of tourists across the globe throng to LADAKH to undergo this once in a lifetime experience.
While you acclimatize yourself after your arrival in LADAKH & before you proceed to the High Altitude areas of 14000-15000 feet, you can cover the local MONASTERIES & SHAM VALLEY tour in these couple of days.
MONASTERY TOUR
More prominently known as a Monastery Tour day, you can get yourself moving around in Leh to facilitate acclimatization & visit some unique Monasteries & places around Leh. Do not stress yourself too much & take periodic rests. Keep your body properly hydrated & do not overhydrate.
STOK MUSEUM
Stok Monastery or Stok Gompa is a Buddhist monastery in Stok, Leh district of Ladakh, 15 kilometres south of Leh. Founded by Lama Lhawang Lotus in the 14th Century, STOK GOMPA has a notable library including all 108 volumes of the Kangyur. A ritual dance-mask festival is held annually. It has volumes that are a part of the Kangyur.
Next to the monastery is the 71 feet (22 m) high seated Gautama Buddha statue and temple, constructed between 2012-2015 and consecrated by Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama on 8 August 2016.[2]
Around 2 km from the monastery is Stok Palace, built in 1820 and still the summer home of Ladakhi royalty from the Namgyal dynasty of Ladakh.
There is a museum inside the palace where you can view plenty of unique items, such as seals, weaponry, Buddhist art, thangka paintings and coins.
There are also plenty of treks that you can enjoy in this area while you are here, such as those in the Indus and Markha valleys along with the Stok Kangri mountain range.
HEMIS MONASTERY
Hemis, also spelled Hamis, is a village in the Leh district of Ladakh, India. It is located in the Leh tehsil, 40 km southeast of Leh town.
Situated at an height of 12,000 feet above sea level, the Hemis monastery was established in 1672 AD by king Senge Nampar Gyalva. The village hosts a colorful festival held in July. It is close to the Hemis National Park, an area that is a home to the endangered snow leopard. The national park was created in 1981.
A visit to the Hemis Monastery is one of the highlights of planning holidays in Ladakh. Beautifully adorned, Hemis Monastery is a Tibetan monastery belonging to the Drukpa Lineage. The numerous paintings or Thangkas are carefully preserved here and are displayed during the famous Hemis Festival.
The ancient Hemis monastery is said to be have existed before the 11th century. Naropa, the teacher of the translator Marpa and the pupil of the yogi Tilopa, are regarded as the founding fathers of the Kagyu-lineage of Buddhism, with, Hemis as its main seat. The first incarnation of Stagsang Raspa Nawang Gyatso founded the monastery in 1630 when he was invited to Ladakh by the King Singay Namgyal
What to see at HEMIS
A copper gilded statue of Lord Buddha is nestled within the monastery. Many other stupas that are said to be made of precious metal like gold and silver can also be seen here.
A large statue of Guru Rimpoche is also quite interesting to witness.
The monastery also has a museum within its premises. Numerous historical and religious paintings (Thangkas), carriers, weapons are displayed in the museum.
FESTIVALS AT HEMIS
Hemis Monastery becomes vibrant during the annual Hemis Festival which is celebrated here in early June to honor Guru Padamasambhava. His birth anniversary falls on the 10th day of the fifth month of the Monkey year of the Tibetan calendar. An interesting fact about the day is that it comes once after 12 years. Thus, Hemis celebrates the day with great fervor and enthusiasm.
As per beliefs, celebrating this festival bestows good health and spiritual strength. Many musicians play traditional music. The gala begins with early morning ritual when the tapestry adorned with pearls depicting the image of Guru Padmasambhava is exhibited. This is then admired and worshipped by all. A major highlight of the festival is the Masked Dance which are collectively known as Cham. These performances are part of Tantric tradition and monks could be seen performing Tantric worship.
NEARBY ATTRACTIONS
A sacred hermitage is located some 3 km way from the monastery. The hermitage is founded by the great Gyalwa Kotsang whose footprints and handprints can be found on the rock within the hermitage.
Another nearby attraction to the monastery is Hemis National Park where snow leopards and rare animals dwell in their natural habitat.
THICKSEY MONASTERY
Perched on a hill at a height of 3600 mtr on the right bank of the Indus River at a distance of 19 kms from Leh on the Manali – Leh Highway, THIKSEY monastery is a major attraction in Ladakh. Thiksey Gompa is one of the most beautiful attractions of Ladakh tourism. The view from the top of the monastery is astounding. A complete 180 deg view of the entire Indus Valley, the Stok range & Leh. You can see the green vegetation near the Indus Valley surrounded by the contrast colors of the vast barren mouintains.
Thiksey Monastery is located in the Thiksey village of Leh district in the Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir. It is the largest gompa in the region and resembles the Patola Palace which is located in Tibet. With an elevation of around 11800 feet, it is also one of the high-altitude gompas in India. Being a 12-storey building, it is a home to several stupas, statues, thangkas, paintings and halls
HISTORY
There is an interesting legend related to the formation of Thiksey Monastery. It is said that Palden Zangpo and Sherab Zangpo, disciples of a Buddhist guru, were performing rituals at a small village-monastery in the northern side of Indus Valley. When they were about to throw the torma offerings in the valley, a crow came out of nowhere and carried the torma with it. Upon searching, the disciples found those torma offerings on a rock, where, later on, they built Thiksey Monastery. Today, it is one of the most prominent monasteries in India and is visited by thousands of tourists every year. Apart from scrutinizing its architectural formation, there is a lot to explore within its boundaries.
WHAT TO SEE AT THIKSEY
Being a 12-storey building and one of the oldest gompas, Thiksey Monastery possesses some timeless beauties. One can study & witness wall paintings, statues and stupas. The architecture of the monastery complex is also something which is worth watching. Beautifully built on a hill slope0with large courtyards, Thiksey Monastery is painted in red, yellow and white. One of the main point of interest is the Maitreya Temple installed to commemorate the visit of the 14th Dalai Lama to this monastery in 1970; it contains a 15 metres (49 ft) high statue of Maitreya, the largest such statue in Ladakh, covering two stories of the building. You can also visit several other places, such as Assembly Hall, Tara Temple and Lamokhang Temple. The name of the monastery, Thiksey, which means “perfect order”, is derived from the perfect order in which the crow placed the cake.
FESTIVALS
Thiksey Gustor ritual is held in the monastery precincts from the 17th to 19th day of the ninth month of the Tibetan calendar (Oct–Nov). As a part of this ritual, sacred dances such as the mask dance or Cham dance are performed. A trade fair held at the base of the monastery is a remarkable feature, in which villagers from all over Ladakh assemble to barter and trade items and socialize. Sand mandalas are made for smaller festivals. The morning prayers at 07:00, with synchronized chanting of sūtras at this monastery, attract many worshippers to observe the services
SHEY PALACE
SHEY MONASTERY & SHEY PALACE
The Shey Monastery or Gompa and the Shey Palace complex are structures located on a hillock in Shey, at an elevation of 11,204 feet, 15 kilometres to the south of Leh in Ladakh,on the Leh-Manali Highway.
HISTORY
Shey was the summer capital of Ladakh in the past. The original palace, now in ruins, was built near the Shey village by Lhachen Palgyigon, the king of Ladakh (then called Maryul), in the 10th century. The Moghul noble Mirza Haidar Dughlat stayed here during his invasion of Ladakh in the 15th century.
The present Shey Palace and Monastery was built in 1655 on the instructions of Deldan Namgyal, in the memory of his late father, Sengge Namgyal, below the first palace.
Shey was the old capital of the upper Ladakh region. When the Dogras of Jammu invaded Ladakh in 1842, the Namgyals abandoned the palace and fled to Stok (they made it their permanent residence) on the opposite side of the Indus River. It is conjectured that the fort found in ruins, not dated, above the present palace at Shey, belonged to this period of invasion. Subsequently, when the political dictates necessitated shifting of the capital to Leh, even then the importance of Shey continued since it was a mandatory requirement of the Namgyal kings to father their heir apparent here
What should you see at SHEY
The monastery is noted for its 39 feet giant copper gilded gold statue of a seated Shakyamuni Buddha. Shakyamuni Buddha is so named since Buddha was the sage (muni) of the Sakya people who resided in the Himalayan foothills and their capital was Kapilavastu. It is said to be the second largest such statue in Ladakh. The giant Buddha as seen in the monastery is on three levels; the lowest level shows his huge feet and “soles pointing upwards” and a mural of Shambunath, the middle floor shows murals of the Buddha in different postures and the upper floor is darkened by the soot of the butter lamps that burn eternally at the altar.
The walls on both the sides of Buddha display the 16 Arhats (saints who achieved Nirvana), 8 on each side. The wall behind the statue has the images of the Buddha’s two chief disciples, Sariputra and Maudgalyayana.
FESTIVALS AT SHEY
One would be fortunate to experience the astounding experience during the festival season at SHEY. SHEY sees two festivals during the year.
Shey Dhoo Lhoo :- A festival marking the beginning of the sowing season is held on the 26th and 27th day of the first month of the Tibetan calendar corresponding to July or August month. The festival is two day celebration marked special rituals conducted by the monks in the main Monastery.
Shey Rupla :- The second festival indicating the harvesting season. As a token of gratitude, farmers offer the fruits of their harvest to the deity. A traditional folk dance called as “Rhupla Dane” is performed by two men in tiger’s costume.
KINDLY KEEP IN MIND
Many Monasteries do not permit photography / videography in the prayer Hall of the Monastery. Please check at the monastery before you click any photographs / take videos.
STAKNA MONASTERY
STAKNA monastery also known as “Tiger’s Nose Monastery” is located at a distance of 25 kms from Leh on the Leh-Manali highway. Perched on a hillock resembling a leaping tiger on the banks of the great Indus River, the STAKNA monastery is a photographers dream as it offers stupendous views of the spectacular Indus Valley. A visit to this monastery gives you an insight of the rich cultural heritage of Buddhism. The Monastery is a house to 30 monks of the Drugpa Order.
HISTORY
It is the only Bhutanese Drukpa Kagyu monastery in Ladakh, headed by the Je Khenpo in Bhutan, whereas the other Drukpa monasteries in Ladakh are of the Gyalwang Drukpa‘s school, based at Hemis. This split in the Drukpa Kagyu lineage occurred in the 17th century when there was a dispute over who was the true reincarnation of the 4th Gyalwang Drukpa.
Stakna Monastery was built by the Bhutanese saint and scholar, Chosje Jamyang Palkar, in the 16th century. A marvelous marble statue of Avalokitesvara, located centrally in the monastery is believed to have been brought over from Assam.
WHAT TO SEE AT STAKNA
STAKNA Monastery is full of attractions. The monastery is a spectacular spot itself. Tourists all over the world visit this place and spend hours enjoying the magnificent sceneries and frame them in their cameras. There is a big assembly hall inside the monastery called Dukhang which is decorated with incredible paintings of Sakyamuni, Tsephakmad and Amchi. The Stakna Monastery also houses several idols which are as elegant as they are enchanting. If you proceed to the extreme right hand side of the courtyard, you will come across a 7ft tall silver gilded chorten consisting of a figure of Lord Buddha with some notes. Parallel to the hall are paintings of various Buddhist gurus including Bodhisattva, Tshong-san-Gompa, and Padma Sambhava. On the top of the monastery, you will come across gorgeous views of the Indus River.
DRUK WHITE LOTUS SCHOOL (RANCHO SCHOOL)
Enroute, Shey monastery on your way back to Leh, you will find the DRUK WHITE LOTUS SCHOOL (Rancho School), which featured in a Aamir Khan starrer film 3 IDIOTS. The school got immense popularity popular from the film & have become a tourist attraction ever since. Aamir Khan’s 3 Idiots. Local guides would take you to around the school. The school has been designed to withstand seismic disturbances.
SHANTI STUPA
SHANTI STUPA
One of the most beautiful and adorable structure in the vicinity of Leh is the magnificent white domed Tibetan structure of SHANTI STUPA dedicated to Buddhism. This beautiful structure stands on a steep hilltop at an height of 11,841 feet. A vast 4 sided gallery atop the SHANTI STUPA serves as a balcony potraying the picturesque expanse of Leh city & the surrounding region. On the rear side of the SHANTI STUPA, you can even see the zigzag road going upwards to Khardung La. It overlooks the vibrant colours of the Leh city, the LEH PALACE & the Changspa village. After dusk, when the STANTI STUPA is illuminated, it looks like a monument from any part of the Leh city, especially during the full moon night. It’s a perfect gateway for those looking for inner peace. Post evening, the Leh city transforms itself into a mesmerizing vision of a starry sky if viewed from the balcony of the SHANTI STUPA.
HISTORY
Shanti Stupa was constructed in 1991 by Japanese Buddhist, Bhikshu Gyomyo Nakamura. The construction was jointly done by the Japanese and Ladakhi Buddhists to mark the completion of 2500 years of Buddhism and to promote world peace. It is a part of peace pagoda mission, which aims to spread peace through the preaching of Buddha. The entrancing Shanti Stupa has various relics of old Buddhism culture including the huge idol of Buddha placed at this base; the idol was enshrined by the 14th Dalai Lama.
- Cafeteria is available in Shanti Stupa
- Don’t forget to carry a camera to click the beautiful views of this place
- No fee for entry or photography
- The best time for visiting Shanti Stupa is during sunrise or sunset. The unbelievable change of colors and light from the movement of the sun can be visualized in this place
- Shanti Stupa is open for visitors between 5:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m
- Climb the steps slowly. If you feel breathless while climbing, stop for a moment and continue. Don’t forget to carry water with you
- Strictly no smoking. There is a fine for smoking in Shanti Stupa
- Don’t wear shoes while entering the stup
LEH PALACE
LEH PALACE
LEH PALACE, also popularly known as Lhachen Palkhar, is located on the top of TSEMO Hill in the middle of Leh town. It was constructed in the 17th century & was a former palace of the royal family of Leh. Being one of the tallest 9 storey structure in Leh, the LEH PALACE is one of the most popular attraction. From the top floor, you can see the breathtaking views of LEH town, STOK KANGRI range & the barren mountains of LADAKH. The palace which is currently being managed by the Archeological Survey of India is more or less in ruins. The Palace comprises of a monastery featuring the statue of Lord Buddha. The painting in the exhibition halls, the artistic work of the Tibetan thangpa are more than 450 years old. They were painted using colours from powdered gems & precious stones. You will also find a collection of royal jewellery, crowns & royal attires.
HISTORY
The construction of the Leh Palace took place in the year 1553 by Tsewang Namgyal the founder of the Namgyal dynasty of Ladakh. It was completed under the reign of Sengge Namgya, popularly known as the Lion King during the 17th century. While the upper floors of the palace were used as the residence of the royal family members, the lower floors comprised of stables and storerooms.
The royal family was forced to shift their base to the Stok Palace when Leh Palace was invaded by the Dogra forces in the mid of the 19th century. This palace had to face burnt of many wars and that suffered huge damages.
ARCHITECTURE
Leh Palace is a wonderful specimen of the medieval Tibetan style of architecture and shares its resemblance with the popular Potala Palace of Lhasa. The structure is so designed that it remains cold in summers and warm in the winters. The palace is built up of mud, wood, sand and stones, but is slightly smaller in size than Potala.
The carved entrances, spacious rooms and vast corridors haven’t lost their charm, although they are in ruins. The bigger corridors and rooms have now been turned into exhibition falls. The stunning murals on the walls of the palace, depicting the magnificence of its original times are worth seeing.
Another popular landmark of Ladakh is the Victory Tower behind the Leh Palace. This tower was built in the memory of the Ladakhi soldiers who laid their lives in the war against the attacking Balti Kashmiri in the 16th century.
HALL OF FAME
HALL OF FAME
I doubt if there would be any Indian who would had left the HALL OF FAME without a tear in his eye.
The Hall of Fame is a museum constructed by the Indian Army in remembrance of the brave Indian soldiers who laid down their lives defending the motherland in the Indo-Pak wars. Located at a distance of 4 km before the city of Leh on the Kargil – Leh road, the Hall of Fame is a monument of the supreme sacrifices made by our soldiers to safeguard the integrity of this great nation.
WHAT TO SEE AT THE HALL OF FAME
The Hall of Fame museum, is a two storey structure divided into various sections depicting several displays. A section named as OP Vijay Gallery shows the various kinds of weapons used in the Kargil war, along with the various arms and ammunition captured by the Indian Army during the war. Another section displays various kinds of apparel and amenities used by the Indian Army in the Siachen region.
Pictures of Kargil war provides a detailed jaw dropping account of how the war was fought by the Indian Army. There is also a wall named “Lest We Forget” which displays the photographs of those soldiers who laid down their lives defending our nation. It’s a very touching sight to come across and reminds us of the supreme sacrifices made by our soldiers to ensure that our country is free from any foreign aggression. A small documentary on “Operation Vijay” is also shown to the visiting patrons. A letter written by Captain Vijayant Thapar to his parents a few days before he attained martyrdom is also displayed as “The Last Post”. With mixed feelings of pride and sorrow, I am sure that every Indian would be moved to tears before leaving this great temple depicting the valor of the Indian Army. There is also a souvenir shop where you can buy some good Ladakhi mementos.
Opening and Closing time
The Hall of Fame museum remains open from 9 A.M to 1 P.M. and from 2 P.M. to 7 P.M.
Entry Fee
You need to purchase an entry ticket of Rs. 25 per person. For photography inside the museum, you need to pay an additional Rs. 50.
SHAM VALLEY CIRCUIT
KARGIL-MULBEK-LAMAYURU-ALCHI-LIKIR-BASGO-NIMMU-MAGNETIC HILL-GURUDEV PATHER SAHIB- LEH.
GURUDEV PATHER SAHIB
Gurdwara Pathar Sahib, is a beautiful Gurudwara on the Kargil – Leh Road at a height of 12,000 feet above sea level & 25 kms before Leh, constructed in the memory of Guru Nanakji. The Gurdwara was built in 1517 to commemorate the visit of Guru Nanak Dev in the Ladakh region.
During the course of his spiritual journey, Guru Nanak travelled to many distant places like Tibet. Guru Nanak is well respected by Tibetan Buddhists who consider him a saint; The Dalai Lama, spiritual leader of Buddhists in Tibet, has confirmed this in his discussions with some Sikh leaders saying that Tibetans revere Guru Nanak as a Buddhist saint under the name of Guru Gompka Maharaj.
RECENT PAST
In the late 1970s, during the construction of the Leh-Nimu road, a large boulder surfaced in the middle of the road. The boulder was covered with Buddhist prayer flags that are often found, strung by Buddhist Lamas, along mountain ridges and peaks high in the Himalayas to bless the surrounding countryside.
A Bulldozer was deployed to push the huge stone to the side, but it refused to move. Despite, pushing the machine to its limits, the boulder refused to move an inch. That night the driver had a dream in which a voice told him not to move the stone.
Although he narrated the dream to one of the army officers, it was ignored. When all the efforts failed, it was decided to blow the boulder with a dynamite the next day. That night the army officer also had a similar dream telling him not to remove the stone. The next morning, several Lamas and other Ladhakhi people visited him to tell the story of a Holy Saint they called Nanak Lama and the defiant boulder.
They learned about the pathar, which was a source of so much trouble for the army. The boulder was a ‘mould’ with a negative impression, of their revered Lama Nanak that contained a hollow imprint of his shoulders, head and backside.
He was told that during the period of 1515-18 when Guru Nanak was returning to Punjab through Srinagar, after travelling to Sikkim, Nepal and Tibet, he had rested at this place. It is believed that Guru Nanak Dev reached Leh via Sikkim, Nepal, Tibet and Yarkhand.
HISTORY
According to a local legend, once a wicked demon lived in the area where the gurdwara is now situated. He frightened the people & was known to kill & eat the local folk. When the people prayed to the Almighty for help, it is said that Guru Nanak heard their woes and came to their aid. He settled down on the bank of the river below the hill where the cruel demon lived. The Guru blessed the people with sermons and became popular in the area. The locals called him Nanak Lama. Seeing this the demon flew in a fit of rage and decided to kill Guru Nanak Dev.
One morning with the intention of killing the Guru who was meditating, the demon pushed a large pathar (boulder), down from the hilltop. The boulder gained speed as it rumbled down the hillside. However, when it touched the Guru’s body, it softened like warm wax and came to a halt against Guru Nanak’s back. The Guru kept on meditating unhurt and undisturbed. The demon was taken aback to see the Guru deep in meditation. In a fit of anger, he tried to push the boulder with his right foot, but as the pathar still had the softness of warm wax, his foot got embedded in it. Pulling his foot from the boulder the demon was dumfounded to see the impression his foot had just left in the stone.
The demon on realizing his powerlessness, fell at the feet of Guru Nanak Dev and begged for forgiveness. Guru Sahib advised him to get rid of his wicked ways and asked him to lead a life of a noble person. This changed the life of the demon, who gave up evil deeds and started serving the people. It is said that since the visit of Guru Sahib (in 1517) to the building of the roadway in 1965, the local Lamas had held the pathar sacred and offered prayers to it as, no doubt, they do to this day.
Today the site and the Gurdwara that now covers the boulder is revered by both the local Lamas and Sikh sangat. Currently the Army is looking after the Gurdwara.
MAGNETIC HILL
Out of the many tourist attractions in Ladakh, featuring exquisite contrast colors of the mountains, skies & the aqua blue water shades, the Magnetic Hill is a major tourist attraction. Located at a height of 14,000 feet on the Kargil-Leh highway and about 27 kms before Leh, the MAGNETIC HILL is indeed a mysterious places which defies the law of gravity.
The phenomenon can be witness on a small stretch of road, say about 5-6 metres demarcated in a yellow box, where you can park your 2 wheeler / 4 wheelers & experience the mysterious force which pulls your vehicle uphill. Switch off your engine, keep your vehicle in neutral and you will experience the vehicle moving against the direction of the slope. However, if you park your vehicle outside the designated area, no such motion is seen.
SUPPORTING THEORIES
MAGNETIC FORCE
It is said that the Magnetic Hill defies the law of gravity. Various theories & Myths about this unique phenomenon are widely heard. However, the most prominent & widely accepted theory is that there is a Magnetic force emanating from the Magnetic Hill which pulls the vehicles uphill. It is also mentioned that Aircrafts flying above that regions have experienced jerks and pilots are advised to steer clear of the radius of the Magnetic Hill.
LOCAL BELIEF
The local folk of Ladakh share a different theory of the Magnetic Hill. They believe that it is a road which pulls the good deserving souls to heaven. Those who are not worthy are not able to make it there.
TRUTH OR JUST AN ILLUSION
Personally, I had experienced it. To me it appears more of an illusion deceiving the mind. I parked my vehicles in the demarked area & the vehicle started moving backwards, when the slope appeared on the front side. However, the slope is not actually a prominent slope to confirm the magnetic nature of the phenomenon. Once cannot ignore the possibility of an optic illusion. The slope could be a downhill slope which appears to be an uphill slope due to the obstructed horizon.
Since the human eye judges the slope with reference to the horizon, the obstructed horizon adds to the illusion. The human mind is tricked into believing that the car is moving on an uphill slope against the gravity. Of course, this phenomenon does not explain the experiences of the aircrafts flying above this region.
HOW TO REACH MAGNETIC HILL
By Air
The nearest Airport is Leh Airport (25 kms), which is well connected to the major cities in India.
By Train
Jammu is the nearest convenient railway station which is about 677 kms.
By Road
All buses travelling on the Leh-Srinagar Highway to any destination like Alchi, Likir, Lamayuru, Kargil etc can drop you at Magnetic Hill. If you are travelling by road to LEH on the Srinagar Leh Highway, you can also pay a visit to this place enroute. It is recommended to start from Kargil early so as to cover the below points in detail
KARGIL – MULBEK – LAMAYURU – ALCHI – LIKIR – NIMMU – MAGNETIC HILL – PATHER SAHIB- LEH.
Magnetic Hills is a part of SHAM VALLEY sight seeing & can be connected by a day long tour by TAXI from Leh to Sham Valley covering the following region.
LEH-GURUDWARA PATHER SAHIB-MAGNETIC HILL- NIMMU SANGAM – BASGO PLAINS – LIKIR MONASTERY – ALCHI MONASTERY.
Refer to the Rate Chart for SHAM VALLEY sightseeing.
NIMOO SANGAM
Just 35 kms before Leh near Nimu village on the Kargil-Leh Highway is the confluence of the two great rivers. The Indus & the Zanskar River Sangam can be seen from the Highway and is a jaw dropping sight to see the aqua blue colours of the Indus rivers merging into the Zanskar river in its sedimentary state. This place is called as Nimu Sangam OR Santam Point OR the Sangam Valley. In this article, I will take you through a brief tour on the significance of this Sangam Point which is a part of the SHAM VALLEY circuit.
INDUS RIVER
The Indus River (also called as the Sindhu river) is one of the longest river in Asia. The Indus river was a lifeline of the great Indus Valley civilization in the 3300 B.C. Ancient cities of Harappa & Mohenjo-Daro were the most adorable urban planned cities which flourished during the days of Indus Valley civilization.
The origin of the Indus river is at the confluence of the Sengge Zangbo river and Gar Tsangpo river in Tibet. It flows in India through the Ladakh region where the Shyok river merges into it followed by the Zanskar River. It then continues its journey to Pakistan & then into the Arabian Sea.
ZANSKAR RIVER
The Zanskar River is a tributary of the Indus and is said to have originated from two main branches. The Doda river which has its source near the Pensi-la (14,400 ft) mountain-pass and flows south-eastwards along the main Zanskar valley leading towards Padum, the capital of Zanskar. The second branch is formed by two main tributaries known as Kargyag river, with its source near the Shingo La (16,703 ft), and Tsarap river, with its source near the Baralacha-La. These two rivers unite below the village of Purne to form the Lungnak river (also known as the Lingti or Tsarap). The Lungnak river then flows north-westwards along a narrow gorge towards Zanskar’s central valley (known locally as gzhung khor), where it unites with the Doda river to form the main Zanskar river. This river then takes a north-eastern course through the Zanskar Gorge until it joins the Indus near “Nimmu” in Ladakh.
CHADAR TREK
A road from the Leh-Kargil Highway just before the Nimu Sangam takes you to the banks of river where you can find lots of water sports like rafting, boating etc. The road continues further for 30 kms upto Chilling which is the starting point of the CHADAR TREK.
In the winter season, when the temperature drops to sub zero degrees, the Zanskar river freezes and forms a sheet of ice, popularly called as a CHADAR (which means a white sheet). The ice solidifies making it possible to walk over it. The end of January & February months sees a lot of adventure enthusiasts undertaking this wonderous trek which is a once in a lifetime experience. Porter, mules, food provisions, guides take the entire provisions for the coming 12-15 days trek. The trek passes through narrow Gorges, river banks upto Padum, the capital of Zanskar. Enroute, stays are arranged in caves, camps & food is cooked by these porters for everyone. During winters, once the high passes like PENZI LA freezes, the CHADAR route is the only connectivity to PADUM village in the Zanskar Valley.
During summer season, river rafting from Chilling to Nimu is very popular among tourists.
As the seasons change, the colors of the meeting rivers keep on changing. Not only the colors, but the flow of water also changes with the seasons. During the months of June to August, the water flow increases flooding the banks of the rivers. The Indus river appears dark Green while the Zanskar river is muddy in color in the month of June – July.
How to reach NIMMU
By Air
The nearest Airport is Leh Airport (35 kms), which is well connected to the major cities in India.
By Train
Jammu is the nearest convenient railway station which is about 677 kms.
By Road
All buses travelling on the Leh-Srinagar Highway to any destination like Alchi, Likir, Lamayuru, Kargil etc can drop you at the Sangam Point. If you are travelling by road to LEH on the Srinagar Leh Highway, you can halt your vehicle enroute. It is recommended to start from Kargil early so as to cover the below points in detail.
NOTE:– A drive extending to Chilling 30 kms from NIMMU is recommended if you have time. Quite a few stretches on the road as very peaceful & quite.
KARGIL – MULBEK – LAMAYURU – ALCHI – LIKIR – NIMMU – MAGNETIC HILL – PATHER SAHIB- LEH.
Nimmu Sangam is a part of SHAM VALLEY sight seeing & can be connected by a day long tour by TAXI from Leh to Sham Valley covering the following region.
LEH-GURUDWARA PATHER SAHIB-MAGNETIC HILL- NIMMU SANGAM- BASGO PLAINS – LIKIR MONASTERY – ALCHI MONASTERY-LEH.
Refer to the Rate Chart for SHAM VALLEY sightseeing.
BASGO PLAINS
Situated at a distance of 40 kms from Leh, a long & straight stretch of land called as BASGO PLAINS is quite a popular place enroute Leh. You can take some mementos at different points on the plain stretch. Many advertisements display photographs of BASGO plains.
The BASGO Palace & monastery is situated on top of the hill towering over the ruins of the ancient town and is noted for its Buddha statue and murals. The complex comprises the Chamchung, Chamba Lakhang, and Serzang temples, dedicated to the Maitreya Buddha
LIKIR MONASTERY
Some of the most prominent & exquisite locations in Ladakh are occupied by ancient monasteries. These monasteries occupy prime locations & offers stupendous vistas for the tourists. The Ladakh region is full of big & small monasteries with a different history, grandeur and most importantly are quite distinctive. LIKIR MONASTERY is one amongst those. If you are approaching from Kargil to Leh, please make sure you keep your eyes wide open for the small hairpin bend on the left side (I missed it twice on the same day & had to backtrack from BASGO). LIKIR MONASTERY is further 9.5 kms from the hairpin bend North of the Srinagar – Leh Highway. The 23 mtr high Golden colored statue of Lord Buddha majestically placed in Monastery is the main attraction.
Located on a picturesque hill at a height of 3700 mtr, 52 kms from Leh (43 kms straight F from Leh on the Leh – Kargil Highway then a detour of 9.5 kms on the right hairpin bend off the Highway) is the LIKIR monastery. The road is good and as you proceed, you will enter a narrow valley. As you approach near, you can see the Monastery & the villages in the midst of the barren hills & the contract green vegetation.
HISTORY
The LIKIR MONASTERY belongs to the Gelugpa sect of Tibetan Buddhism and was established in 1065 by Lama Duwang Chosje, under the command of the fifth king of Ladakh, Lhachen Gyalpo.
Although Likir is relatively isolated, it was once on a major trade route which travelled via Tingmosgang, Hemis and Likir to Leh. The name Likir means “The Naga – Encircled”, representing the bodies of the two great serpent spirits, the Naga-rajas, Nanda and Taksako. The monastery currently has approximately 120 Buddhist monks and a school, in which almost thirty students study.[3] The Central Institute of Buddhist Studies runs it and teaches in three languages, Hindi, Sanskrit and English.
ARCHITECHTURE
The monastery has two assembly halls, known as Dukhangs and the older one is located on the right of the central courtyard with six rows of seats for the lamas and a throne for the Head Lama of Likir.[7] The Dukhangs contain statues of Bodhisattva, Amitabha, three large statues of Sakyamuni, Maitreya and Tsong Khapa, founder of the yellow-hat sect.
FESTIVALS
Dos-mo-che, the annual festival of the monastery, is held from the 27th to 29th of the 12th Tibetan month. This happens to be somewhere in the month of February.
How to reach LIKIR
By Air
The nearest Airport is Leh Airport (62 kms), which is well connected to the major cities in India.
By Train
Jammu is the nearest convenient railway station which is about 677 kms.
By Road
All buses travelling on the Leh-Srinagar Highway to any destination like Alchi, Lamayuru, Kargil etc can drop you at the Sangam Point. If you are travelling by road to LEH on the Srinagar Leh Highway, you can halt your vehicle enroute. It is recommended to start from Kargil early so as to cover the below points in detail.
KARGIL – MULBEK – LAMAYURU – ALCHI – LIKIR – NIMMU – MAGNETIC HILL – PATHER SAHIB- LEH.
LIKIR GOMPA is a part of SHAM VALLEY sight seeing & can be connected by a day long tour by TAXI from Leh to Sham Valley covering the following region.
LEH-GURUDWARA PATHER SAHIB-MAGNETIC HILL- NIMMU SANGAM- BASGO PLAINS – LIKIR MONASTERY – ALCHI MONASTERY – LEH.
Refer to the Rate Chart for SHAM VALLEY sightseeing.
ALCHI MONASTERY
LADAKH is a land full of monasteries, each having its own history originating hundreds of years ago. ALCHI MONASTERY in the LADAKH region is one such unique monastery having its history way back in the 10th Century. Unlike other monasteries, ALCHI monastery is remarkably different in its architecture & structure. ALCHI village is situated on the south bank of the INDUS river at a height of 10,200 feet and at a distance of about 67 kms from Leh. After 60 odd kms from Leh is SASPOL bridge from where you can take a left for ALCHI village. As you enter the village, you will find shops on either sides selling souvenirs of Ladakhi origin.
ALCHI village houses some ancient monuments dating centuries ago. ALCHI MONASTERY is one of those having a unique architecture which differentiates it from the other monasteries in the Ladakh region. The monastery complex was built, according to local tradition, by the great translator Guru Rinchen Zangpo between 958 and 1055. Contradictory to this, inscriptions in the preserved monuments ascribe it to a Tibetan noble called Kal-dan Shes-rab later in the 11th century
The Assembly Hall (DUKHANG) and the three storied Main Temple (SUMTSEG) are built in Kashmiri style. The third Temple (Manjushri – temple and chortens). Lakhang Soma and Lotsabha Lakhang are two major temples of the ALCHI MONASTERY. These unique architectures are adorned with stunning artistically carved painting which are some of the oldest collections of Ladakh. The exquisite wall paintings reflect the spiritual and artistic details of the era of the Hindu & Buddhist Kings in Himachal Pradesh & Kashmir.
The ALCHI MONASTERY complex also has huge statues of the Buddha and elaborate wood carvings and art-work resembling architecture of the baroque style.
How to reach ALCHI
By Air
The nearest Airport is Leh Airport (67 kms), which is well connected to the major cities in India.
By Train
Jammu is the nearest convenient railway station which is about 677 kms.
By Road
All buses travelling on the Leh-Srinagar Highway to any destination like Alchi, Lamayuru, Kargil etc can drop you at the Sangam Point. If you are travelling by road to LEH on the Srinagar Leh Highway, you can halt your vehicle enroute. It is recommended to start from Kargil early so as to cover the below points in detail.
KARGIL – MULBEK – LAMAYURU – ALCHI – LIKIR – NIMMU – MAGNETIC HILL – PATHER SAHIB- LEH.
ALCHI MONASTERY is a part of SHAM VALLEY sight seeing & can be connected by a day long tour by TAXI from Leh to Sham Valley covering the following region.
LEH-GURUDWARA PATHER SAHIB-MAGNETIC HILL- NIMMU SANGAM- BASGO PLAINS – LIKIR MONASTERY – ALCHI MONASTERY.
Refer to the Rate Chart for SHAM VALLEY sightseeing.
BEST TIME TO VISIT ALCHI
By road, both the access routes (Srinager – Leh Highway & the Manali – Leh Highway) to LADAKH remain closed during November to May due to heavy snowfall. The only time slot available is from May to September / October.
You can travel by Air upto Leh & then take a taxi from Leh during the winter season for Alchi.
BEST PLACE TO STAY
Alchi Monastery is a unique place & many people travelling from Kargil to Leh break their journey at Alchi for a night halt. There are quite a few guest houses & hotels in the range of Rs.500/- to Rs.2000/-
MULBEKH MONASTERY
Mulbekh Monastery houses two Gompas. They are called as the SERDUNG gompa & the RGALDAN-SE GOMPA of the DRUKPA & GELUGPA sect respectively. The monastery is said to have been built around 800 years back by the students of the Tibetan scholar, Lotsawa Rinchen Zangpo.
The double gompas are located at the very top of a crag almost 656 feet above the road. It can be reached by a steep winding footpath from behind. About 45 kms from Kargil on the Kargil-Leh road, the main attraction of this Gompa is the 30 feet high Maitreya Buddha statue skilfully crafted out on a stone slab.
In the near vicinity are some ancient inscriptions written in Kharoshti script. There was a custom of tearing out the heart of a living goat in front of an altar. There is a command inscribed by the King Lde who ruled the Westerns Ladakh c.1400 CE to the local people to discontinue the cruel sacrifice. However, the people of Mulbekh found it burdensome to follow the command. On the same rock there is an inscription saying that the order was too hard to be followed. The locals considered it offensive to deprive the local deity from its customary offerings.
LAMAYURU MONASTERY
Lamayuru or the Yuru Monastery is a Tibetan Buddhist Monastery in the Lamyuru, region of the Leh district of J & K, India. It is situated on the Srinagar-Leh Highway, 104 kms from Kargil towards Leh and 15 kms east of Fotu La at a height of 11,520 feet above level. The Lamayuru monastery is a must visit place enroute Leh. The magnificent structure of LAMAYURU majestically hovers prominently on the highway amidst the surrounding moonland.
HISTORY of LAMAYURU
Lamayuru is the main seat of the Drikung Kagyu School of Buddhism and one of the biggest and the oldest gompas in Ladakh, with a population of around 150 resident monks. It has, in the past, housed up to 400 monks, many of which are now based in gompas in surrounding villages. The history of the Lamayuru monastery goes back to the 11th century. A Buddhist monk, Arhat Madhyantika predicted that a monastery would be founded at Lamayuru, which was once a lake. Subsequently, Mahasiddha Naropa who had meditated at a nearby cave caused the lake to somehow dry up & thus the Lamayuru monastery was founded.
Lamayuru is also called as the moonland of Ladakh. It is said that the drying of the lake has resulted in the formation of a terrain resembling the soil on the moon. These unique soil formations carved out in the vicinity of the Lamayuru monastery’s surrounding landscape has imparted fame to the monastery. Thousands of tourists across the globe flock to Lamayuru to witness & photograph this moonland.
The monastery complex consisted originally of five buildings. Presently, it has the main central building and the remains of the four corner buildings. The monastery complex houses some of the most beautiful stone carvings of prayers.
In the 16th century, Tashi Namgyal, the King of Ladakh introduced a law forbidding any arrest in the near vicinity of the Lamayuru Monastery. Ever since, the monastery is also called as Tharpa Ling which means ”The land of Freedom”. The law was followed religiously by the Ladakhi kings and the other Balti rulers of Kashmir.
FESTIVALS at LAMAYURU
Two annual masked dance festivals known as Yuru Kabgyat are hosted by the Lamayuru monastery in the second & the fifth months of the Tibetan Lunar Calendar. Monks from the neighbouring gompas gather together to offer prayer during this time
BEST TIME to TRAVEL to LAMAYURU
Like any Ladakhi destination, Lamayuru would also remain accessible by road from Srinagar & Leh between April / May to October without any hassles. However, this route gets disconnected at high passes between November to April. During this period, the only means of reaching Lamayuru is to fly to Leh & then hire a taxi to Lamayuru (120 kms).
HOW TO REACH LAMAYURU
By Air
The nearest airport connected is the Leh International Airport. You can hire a taxi to cover the 120 kms distance from Leh to Lamayuru. Ideally, those travelling by Air can cover Lamayuru during a day long SHAM VALLEY tour. This should be done on the third day after your arrival at Leh. Your day of arrival & the next day should be spent taking rest and doing the local monastery tours with minimum exertion to facilitate acclimatization.
By Rail
The nearest railhead is Jammu Tawi which is about 660 kms from Lamayuru. The remaining distance can be covered by road by hiring a taxi / Bus / self drive your own vehicle. Jammu is well connected to major cities of India by railways. Bikers either book their bikes till Jammu OR Chandigarh by rail. Travel thereafter takes about 2-3 days from Jammu to Lamayuru with nighthalts at Srinagar & Kargil. Being a national highway, the entire road stretch is properly tarred and is in excellent condition.
By Road
Lamayuru is directly connected by national highways to major cities of India. In fact, road travel is the only direct mode of transport without any shunting. Buses & Taxis ply services from Kargil & Leh to Lamayuru.
Usually, people travelling to Leh by road cover LAMAYURU monastery enroute Leh. Tourists who hire taxis or drive their own vehicles cover the entire SHAM VALLEY circuit enroute while travelling from Kargil to Leh. One has to start early from KARGIL to cover all the points.
TO SUMMARIZE
In this article, I have tried to provide complete informtion on the Monastery Tour & the Sham Valley Tour. In case you find the article useful, please share it with your Friends, Relatives travelling to Ladakh.
Should you like to seek any clarification, plan your Ladakh trip, please feel free to write to me in the box provided below.