Ladakh

A Land like No other place

Ladakh is one of the geographical regions in the India’s northern state, Jammu & Kashmir. The literal meaning of Ladakh is defined as “La” means passes, “Dakh” means land of many passes. Thus, Ladakh means “land of many passes”. Ladakh has unique physical features resemblance to the Central Asian states and different from the rest of the states in the country. It is located at the trans-Himalayan region. It has mountainous land consisting of many mountain peaks, ridges and rivers. The region has important sub-regions like Leh, Nubra, Changthang and Sham in the Leh District and Zangkar, Kargil, and Drass in the Kargil District. The region has three mountain ranges through which the natural drainage system of Ladakh maintains. They are Zanskar Range, Ladakh Range and Karakuram Range. The rivers of Ladakh are Indus, Zangskar, Shayok and Suru. The Indus River originates near Mountain Kailash in Tibet and enters Ladakh in the east and flows to the western side into northern Pakistan, where it then flows south to Arabian Sea near Karchi. In Zanskar, located between the Zanskar and the Himalayan Ranges, The Stod and the Tsarab Rivers join to form the Zanskar River which then cuts through deep gorges in the Zanskar Range and flows into the Indus River at Nimoo. The Shayok River flows south from its origin in the disputed area of Aksai Chin and then turns northwest, flowing between the Ladakh Range and the Karakoram Ranges. Its Tributary, the Nubra River, originates in the Siachen glacier and gives its name to the valley. The suru River flows in western Ladakh.

Ladakh has two administrative units Leh and Kargil within the state of Jammu & Kashmir. Leh district constitutes of Buddhist population majority whereas Kargil district consists of Muslim population majority. The region has the historical experience of coexistence of different communities. The region has very cold climate most of the high peaks of the mountains covered with snow. Drass in the Kargil district is recognised as the second coldest place in the world. However, Ladakh has pleasant climate, neither hot nor cold, during the summer seasons. During summer seasons Ladakhis grow different crops mainly barley and wheat. The fruits of Ladakh include famous apricots and apple during the summer seasons. Different species of animals found in Ladakh. The people domesticate some animals and many are wild animals. The famous animals include famous Yaks, Snow leopard and Wild Horse. Likewise, Ladakh has different species of migratory birds. One of the famous is black naked crane. Ladakh is connected to rest of the country through Leh-Manali routes and Leh Srinagar routes during the summer season. Despite, it is connected through air daily flights from the Delhi to Leh. However, the connectivity through roads close during winter due to snowfall. As a result, Ladakh remains cut off from the rest of the world during winter. 

LOCATION
Ladakh is situated at the extreme north of India. It is one of the province of India’s northern state of Jammu & Kashmir. Ladakh is the western extend of the Tibetan plateau lying in the Himalayas bordered by Tibet to the east, Pakistan in the west and Xinjiang  of China to the north .

CLIMATE
Ladakh is among the coldest and driest places in India. The region is unaffected by Indian monsoon. Annual rainfall in Leh does not exceed 10cm. The temperature during summer from baking hot sunshine during daytime, temperature can drop to minus 40C at night or even lower during winter.

CULTURE
Ladakh has unique and rich culture. The traditional culture of Ladakh evolved from Tibetan Buddhism. Evidence of this can be found in many centuries old monasteries that are found in almost every village throughout Ladakh. A large population of monks provide for the religious and spiritual needs of the people are the most respected members of the society. Other visible signs of the Buddhist faith are Prayer Flags, Stupas and Mani Wall. Thus, Ladakh has closer links to Tibet culturally than to India.

HISTORY
The early history of Ladakh remains as much as mystery as the images and statues that its magnificent monasteries exhibit. In fact, little detail is known about its history before 7th century. One might imagine that the great caravans of Central Asia that passed this way all contributed to the culture, and brought outside influences to bear on the territory. The mon people are thought to have been some of the earliest inhabitants of Ladakh, whether these people followed the Buddhist faith is not clear. The Dard are another fascinating group of people who migrated to Ladakh residing northwest of Khaltsi and north of Dras. They probably came from Afghanistan and thought to be descended from a particularly pure strains of Arayans, who migrated to India possibly from Eastern Europe.

 The earliest Buddhist probably came to Ladakh in the 3rd century BC, in 2nd century AD the Kushana Kings of the Kashmir region ruled over the predominantly Buddhist region that extended into Ladakh, throughout 7th century, Buddhism Suffered a certain decline, as the ruling kings sought to reduce the influence of the faith. Meanwhile, in Tibet , king Srongtsen Gampo adopted Buddhism as the state religion. 

It was after the assassination of king Langdarma, a strident Bon practitioner and anti Buddhist ruler. It was his great grandson Nyima Gon who really established a firm rule over Ladakh and Western Tibet.

The eldest son of Nyima Gon ruled Ladakh, while another son held the region of Ngari to the east of Tibet, third son was given lower Zanskar, Lahul and Spiti.

The lineage of the ruling clique ended with Lodros Chog Ldan, through family dissent. this allowed the Namgail dynsty to take Power. The following are the kings of Namgail Dynasty(the Victrious ) who ruled Ladakh  The first king Tashi Namgail  grabbed power from his elder brother.              

1500-1600    Tashi Namgail (1555-75)

                        Tsewang Namgail (1575-95)

1600-1659  Jamyang Namgail (1595-1616)

                       Sengee Namgail ( 1616-1642)

1650-1850  Deldan Namgail (1642-1694)

                       Tsespal Namgail(1790-1841)

The Dogras made their way to Ladakh from the south; the Ladakh king had no match for the well-armed and trained forces of Zorawar. Tsespal Namgail and Zorawar met at Basgo and a truce agreed.

How to Reach

By Air
The Leh airport is open all around the year, there are direct flight from New Delhi run by Air India , Jet Airways, Spice jet and Vistara, and Jammu and Srinagar two times in  a week.

By Road
There are two main road which are connected to Leh through mainland India. Through Srinagar () and through Manali () although the road from both destination remain closed in winter for 5-6 months due to heavy snowfall.

Spiritual Pilgrimage Tour with Spiritual Valley Adventure. 

Duration: (1-16 days)

Ladakh has largest concentration of Vajrayana Buddhism outside of Tibet. Monastery hopping is one of the main attractions of this beautiful land and by visiting these makes you more 

Buddhism first made its way in Ladakh at the time of kushan dynsty, which ruled in neighbouring Kashmir and north of India in the beginning of the era, later it came from Tibet after 8th century, the early streams of Buddhism have disappeared from Ladakh, but almost every school of thought of Tibetan Buddhism is represented here by way of monasteries and shrines . for those seeking a morsel of Buddha’s infinite wisdom , keep in  mind that not every maroon clad is an expert on the religion . the permission to photograph a person must still be sought before taking photos , and visitors must be wary of causing disrespect by way of conduct or dress, for its insult the sentiments of the local populace.

Itinerary
After a day of acclimatization in Leh and explore Leh you are starting your tour 

Hemis Monastery
This one day tour follow the Indus river and on the right side of the Indus situated the Hemis , the largest and spiritual centre for Drukpa sect. The monastery was founded at the foot of a gorge by the king Singee Namgail and the first incarnation of the lama Stagsang Raspa.Hemis is famous for its festival which held every year in June or July according to the Tibetan calendar, lots of tourists and local people come to witness the festival.

Thiksay Monastery
This is probably the most visually imposing monastery of Ladakh. Looming right above the Leh- Manali highway, it belongs to the Gelupa (yellow hat sect) order, founded in 15th century , and is built in traditional Tibetan style, housing many shrines to visit , including the spectacular 15 meter tall statue of Maitrya Buddha .there are amazing views of the Indus valley and the surrounding mountain ranges from the roof.

Matho, Stakna and Shey Palace
Matho 500 year old Sakya school monastery is known for its two auguric oracles. Local people come to visit the oracle during the annual festival to ask for their divination and prediction.

Nearby Stakna which belongs to the Drukpa order has a  marvellous collection of thangkas and fresoes, as well as marble statue of Buddha, Stakna means tiger nose, and it was founded by Chosje Jamyang Palkar during the reign of kin Jamyang Namgail in 1581.

Shey Palace is the oldest capital of Ladakh. The main image in the palace is a three story statue of Buddha Shakyamuni .

Takthok and Chemday
Takthok or “rock ceiling “ belongs to the Nigma tradtion. The monastery came into existence when the tantaric teacher Padma Sambhava mediated in the cave . you can still see the footprint.

Chemday monastery belongs to the Kagyu Sect. It is used to be a palace for king Singe Namgail in the 17th century. Later on it was offered it to Lama Stagsang Raspa and since than it has been used as a monastery.

Spituk and Phyang
The name Spituk means (effective as example) Spituk is located atop a crag right at the end of the Leh airport’s runway, thus providing a dramatic sights of the planes taking off, and a panoramic view of the Indus and the Stok range to the south. Moreover, a strong Hindu patronage  has all by converted the  year old temple dedicated to the Dalai  protector, goddess Paldan Lhamo, into a Kali temple. The view from the south is impressive. 

Phyang Gonpa belongs to the Red hat sect. Located slightly off the the Leh-Srinagar highway , it has as impressive number of wall paintings along a number os shrines. Phyang Gonpa dates back to 16th century when the Tibetan missionary Chosje Danma Kunga was invited by the king of Ladakh Tashi Namgail , to set a monastery. 

Alchi Monastery
A 11th century old monastery . it is one of the earliest monasteries built in Ladakh , and was built by Lotsava Rinchen Zangpo. To built the monastery he brought 32 sculptors and artist from Kashmir.  Consequently, the famed paintaings of the monastery though depicting Tibetan and Buddhists themes , reflect a distinct Kashmiri style of paintaings. 

Lamayuru
The kagyupa monastery at Lamayuru is attributed to Naropa, the 11th century Indian Renowned as Tharpa Ling which means the ‘place of freedom’; Lamayuru monastery is one of the oldest and largest monasteries in Ladakh and said to have been built around the same time as Alchi Monastery. It is located approximately 127 km from Leh on a steep mountain between Bodh Kharbu and Khaltse. The monastery belongs to Drigung Kagyu of Buddhism. At its peak, the monastery housed 300 monks but nowadays there are only 50 inmates.

Rizong Monastery
The monastery was founded by Lama Tsultim Nima Before building the monastery in 1831, Lama Tsultim Nima started a hermitage at the site to teach monks about Buddhism, who even today abide by very strict rules and regulations like apart from sacrificing all comforts and material possessions.

Known as a ‘Paradise for meditation’, this monastery in Ladakh belongs to the Gelugpa Order or Yellow Hat sect of Buddhism and overlooks the picturesque Indus Valley. Home to about 40 monks today, the Rizong Monastery educates and teaches these monks the great scriptures and the chosen path to God with a very strict and simple way of life.

Located 2 km away, a nunnery, known as Chulichan (Chomoling), is under the cover of the monastery, where 20 nuns or the Chomos reside and worship at the temples of the monastery; perform chores like milking, spinning wool and getting oil for the temple lamps.

Spituk Monastery
Overlooking the gorgeous Indus River, this monastery in Ladakh was built and founded in the 11th century by Od-lde, the older brother of Lama Changchub. Initially, the gompa used to run on the principals of the Kadampa school but it later came into the fold of Gelugpa order.

Today, it is home to 100 monks as well as a statue of goddess Palden Lamo, which is shown to the public during the yearly Spituk festival. The most iconic feature of the monastery is the icons of Buddha and 5 thangkas sharing space with sculptures and mini chortens. You definitely cannot afford to miss, its unique collection of ancient masks, antique arms and fine thangkas here.

A little higher up the hill is the temple of Vajrabhairva. The statue of the deity is kept covered and is unveiled only once during the Spituk Festival. The monastery plays host to the annual Spituk Gustor  held in the 11th month of the Tibetan calendar, where the monks perform masked dances representing well over evil and stories depicting the life of Buddha.

Takthok Monastery
Takthok Monastery widely referred to as Takthak and Thag Thog by the local Buddhist people is the only monastery belonging to the Nyingmapa school of order of Buddhism. The monastery came into existence when Guru Padma Sambhava visited this place and blessed it in the 8th century. The Gonpa was a meditation cave of Guru Padma Sambhava with footprints and many other signs, until the reign of King Tsewang Namgail, When  Kunga Phunstog introduced monastic community. It was given the name of Takthok Padmalinggon. This cave is termed as Duphug (Tu-Phuk) Lhakhang and is a famous pilgrimage site for all the Tibetan Buddhists around the world.