Leh has quite a few interesting places on offer. You
could start with the captivating Leh Palace that rises from the edge of
a hill overlooking the town and stretches out towards the indigo sky.
Irrevocably reminiscent of a picture-postcard of Lhasa’s Potala Palace,
this deserted edifice has a definite mystical quality about it.
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Visa Info Passport Info The Palace was built in the middle of the 16th
century by King Singe Namgyal and still belongs to the royal family that
now lives in the Stok Palace. The nine-storeyed monument has gone to seed,
so don’t visit the site expecting too much. You might not be able
to get in at all as the palace remains locked, unless of course you ask
around and find a monk who can open it for you. The Palace has a museum
with some tangkhas (painted or embroidered scrolls) and paintings amongst
other things. The view from the monastery is quite impressive. Roosted
above the Leh Palace is the Namgyal Tsemo Gompa (monastery). The enigmatic
stark structure stands on a steep hill looming over the town. Built in
1430 by the Namgyal rulers, the red monastery has some frescos, Buddhist
scriptures, idols and a massive statue of the Maitreya Buddha (future
Buddha). The splendid view from the top alone is well worth the effort.
The striking Shanti Stupa is a recent structure. A Japanese who harboured
the ambition of spreading Buddhism across the world, had it constructed
in 1985 with aid from the Japanese Government. The stupa is connected
by a ‘motorable’ road and a steep flight of stairs. Once on
top, you can stop for a snack in the tea shop, then relax and enjoy the
panoramic view of the chain of mountains and the peaceful little village
of Changspa with typical Ladakhi houses built along a gushing stream,
and the towering Namgyal Tsemo in the distance. There is a rudimentary
Sauna Spa not far from the Shanti Stupa in Changspa Village that offers
a soft drink in the sauna! The striking green and white Leh Mosque in
the Main Bazaar is also worth a visit. The mosque is open only to men.
This is also a good place to find out about the possibility of doing voluntary
work with various organizations. If interested, inquire at the reception
centre or simply check the information board. Leh offers some delightful
walks, especially around Changspa Village. Just take any of the cobbled
lanes in the village and feel free to carry on as you please. It is impossible
to get lost in this tiny village.
The lanes and by-lanes curve around colourful Ladakhi houses with
brightly-painted windows overlooking little gardens blossoming with
cosmos, poppies and hollyhocks. The village is dotted with prayer wheels
where you might see some locals turning the symbolic wheel. A network
of narrow canals channel the river water to all parts of the village,
so you can never be far from the gurgling sound of flowing water and
patches of wild irises growing around the banks of the canal. Bunches
of little children with sunburnt rosy cheeks and sparkling eyes will
greet you all around the village with the all-encompassing greeting
jule (hello, bye, thank-you and please) that you must be all too familiar
with by now. In case you do feel a little lost or disorientated, just
ask any local and he will be happy to show you the way.
Leh Festivals
Losar
The Buddhists of Ladakh celebrate Losar as their new year. Before the
rule of Jamiang Namgyal (1555-1610), this day was considered to be the
first day of the Ladakhi Buddhist year, which is based on the moon and
sun similar to that of the Hindus.
However, Losar was advanced by two days as Jamiang Namgyal decided
to invade Skardu before the new year. Since then, Losar is celebrated
on the last two days of the lOth Bodhi month, which coincides with December
of the Christian calender.
Losar is celebrated with traditional gaiety and fervor. The festivities
include illuminations, drinking, dancing, singing and general merry-making.
Men come out of their homes with torches of wood which are whirled round
and round. People visit each other's homes during these celebrations,
which continue for many days.
Tampe Chonga
The fifteenth day of the first Bodhi month is celebrated as a festival
marking Buddha's entry into the womb of his mother. Prayers are held
both at home and in the gompas.
Jipe Chonga
The fifteenth day of the fourth Bodhi month is the day when the Buddha
is believed to have taken physical birth. The people fast on the Jipe
Chonga day. Homes and gompas are illuminated and special prayers are
conducted.
Ladakh supports a total population of about 1,40,000 according to the
1981 Indian census figures. This region has one of the lowest population
densities in the world with a little over 2 persons per square kilometer.
A considerable proportion of the population of Ladakh consists of Buddhists.
They are the main inhabitants of this region. The Buddhists may further
be divided into different sub communities depending on their culture
and sect.
Monasteries Leh
Located on the Leh-Srinagar highway, the Lamayuru Gompa dates back
to the 10th century and is known to be the oldest house of faith in
Ladakh. The monastery is also famous for being one of the most picturesquely-located
monasteries in Ladakh. It belongs to the Kagyupa Order of Buddhism and
is believed to have been wrecked and reconstructed several times. The
monastery is home to some of the finest frescos, carpets and tangkhas
(embroidered or painted scrolls) you’ll see in the region. The
prayer ceremonies in the gompa should not be missed.
Amongst numerous other monasteries that dot this rugged landscape,
the Shey Gompa at a distance of 15km from Leh was the former summer
residence of the royal family of Ladakh. The monastery has a 23m high
gold-plated Shakyamuni Buddha statue, known to be the largest one in
Ladakh. The Spituk Gompa is only 8km from Leh and overlooks the Leh
airport while from the back of the monastery one can look down on the
winding Indus and a sprawling green village topped with willows and
poplars. The monastery has some noteworthy statues of Buddha and a natural
rock formation of the Hindu goddess, Kali. Another monastery close to
Leh is the Stok Gompa built in 1814. In the year 1974, the last king
of Ladakh passed away in this monastery. The monastery faces the Stok
Museum that has, amongst other things, a collection of the royal family’s
traditional clothing and jewellery. The deserted 400 hundred year old
Basgo Gompa close to Nimu Village houses fine frescos and a gold-plated
statue of the Maitreya Buddha. The hilltop monastery offers a spectacular
view of the surrounding landscape. Further on, the majestic Likir Gompa
built in the 14th century is famed as the first monastery built by Tibetan
monks and is definitely worth a visit. Today, the monastery follows
the Gelukpa Order of Buddhism. The monastery is also called Klu-khyil
Gompa or the Monastery of the Spirits of Water.
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