STORY OF INDIA 2

LAMAYURU VILLAGE

 Lamayuru is home to one of the oldest monasteries in Ladakh, dating back to the 10th century. Local legend has it that the place was once a lake that dried up. The village has around 100 houses scattered around the Lamayuru Monastery.

ALCHI

Alchi is also part of the three villages (all in lower Ladakh region) which constitute the ‘Alchi group of monuments’ the other two villages adjoining Alchi are the Mangyu and Sumda Chun. The monuments in these three villages are stated to be of ‘unique style and workmanship’, but the Alchi monastic complex is the best known. The monastery complex was built, according to local tradition, by the great translator Guru Rinchen Zangpo between 958 and 1055. However, inscriptions in the preserved monuments ascribe it to a Tibetan noble called Kal-dan Shes-rab later in the 11th century.  Dukhang or Assembly Hall and the Main Temple (gTsug-lag-khang), which is a three-storied temple called the Sumtseg (gSum-brtsegs), are built in Kashmiri style as seen in many monasteries; the third temple is called the Manjushri Temple ('Jam-dpal lHa-khang). Chortens are also an important part of the complex.

THE TRANS HIMALAYAS

The Himalayas, a vast mountain system in S Asia, extending 2400 km (1500 miles) from Kashmir (west) to Assam (east), between the valleys of the Rivers Indus and Brahmaputra: covers most of Nepal, Sikkim, Bhutan, and the S edge of Tibet; the highest range in the world, with several peaks over 7500 m (25 000 ft). Highest peak: Mount Everest, 8848 m.

LADAKH THE LAST SHANGRI-LA

Ladakh, India. With azure blue skies, pure white snow, and crystal clear rivers that follow as far as the eyes can see, Ladakh is an untainted retreat in a region fraught with turbulent history. Straddled between the mountain ranges of Pakistan and India where neighbouring countries frequently engage in border disputes and tussles, Ladakh has witnessed its fair share of violence and war. Even so, it has managed to preserve a deep sense of serenity and peace, in part due to its deeply-entrenched Buddhist roots. Beyond the physical beauty of the place, Ladakh's charm extends into the spiritual realm. As a Buddhist ex-kingdom of antiquity, numerous monuments of faith such as white stupas, mani walls inscribed with sacred mantras and traditional gompas can be found throughout Ladakh. It is little wonder that this region has been given the name of "The Last Shangri-La on Earth. Way off the tourist radar, Ladakh is the ideal destination for true intrepid backpackers looking to explore paths off the beaten track, or for adventurers looking for a unique cultural experience.

THIKSHEY MONASTERY ABOVE WATER POND 

Thiksey Monastery is the largest monastery in central Ladakh district in Jammu and Kashmir. It is situated 18 km from Leh in the Indus valley.The Tibetan Buddhist monastery of Gelugpa sect of Tibetan Buddhism is located at the top of hill. The monastery is famous for its architecture and its location. The 12 storey monastery has 10 temples, assembly hall, and residence for 120 monks and nunnery. The monastery buildings are structured in hierarchal order. The monastery is referred as ‘Mini Potala’ of India as it resembles Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet. There is one big statue of Maitreya (future Buddha) which covers almost two floor of the monastery that is 40 feet in height. Tara temple of Goddess Tara is another major attraction for the visitors. Apart from visiting monastery one can also find some rare and precious stupas, statues, thangkas, wall paintings and swords in the monastery. Due to its proximity to Leh the morning prayer at the monastery attracts huge crowds. The monastery offers clear view of the Indus Valley and some monastery like Shey, Stok and Matho can also be seen from here. Festivals celebration is another major attraction for the tourists, locals and Buddhists in Thiksey Monastery. There is a very interesting story behind how Thiksey monastery got its name and how the place where it stands today was finalised. Jangsem Sherab Zangpo and his disciple Palden Sherab were offering prayer services with a ritual cake about three kilometer from where the Thiksey monastery is. A crow flew away with the cake. When they searched, they found the ritual cake in perfect order at the top of the hillock. They believed it be an auspicious sign to build a monastery at this place. The monastery got the name Thiksey (meaning in perfect order) because the cake was placed in perfect order by the crow. Accommodation is available in the monastery with excellent services at nominal rate. There are luxurious hotels at the base of the hill with modern facilities. The monastery serves vegetarian food. Hotels at the base provide Indian and Tibetan food. The best time to visit Thiksey monastery is between May and September, as routes are closed after November due to heavy snowfall.

MASK DANCE-DURING MONASTIC FESTIVAL

Hemis festival is one of the most famous monastic festivals in June to commemorate birth of Guru Padmasambhava, the founder of Tantric Buddhism in Tibet. The sacred dance drama of the life and mission is performed wearing facial masks and colorful brocades robes. The three-day festival takes place from 9th to 11th. Especially the monkey year festival, which comes in a cycle of 12 years. During it the four-storey thanka of Guru Padma Sambhava is hung in the courtyard and other precious thankas are also exhibited.

Gustors take place at Thiksey, Spituk and Karsha in different months of the year. The festival takes place for two days. The celebration is to mark the victory over evils. The mask worn by the dancers represent the Guardians, Protectors and the Gods and Goddesses. The festival ends with the symbolic assassination of evils and burning of the effigy of evils.

PANGONG LAKE

Do you remember the last scene of 3 idiots? Want to know about the location where Aamir Khan and Kareena Kapoor were snogging in the last scene? For those who are besotted by the background that acted as a catalyst for Kareena Kapoor’s love confession, the place is located in Ladakh. Situated at a height of 4,250 meters, far away in barren land in Ladakh, Pangong Tso is one of the largest brackish lakes in Asia. The crystal clear blue lake sprawls over an area of 100 kilometers across the borders of two countries in India and China. It is one of the charismatic lakes situated on the Changtang plateau in eastern Ladakh region. Pangong Lake is also known by the name of Hollow Lake and appears as a clear symbol of nature craftsmanship. The brackish water plays with sunlight to produce different effects of light. One-third part of the lake lies in India while the remaining two-third lies in Tibet, a region controlled by China. A large chunk of streams that fill the lake are located on the Tibetan part. The lake is located just 5 hours drive from Leh in the Ladakh region of Jammu & Kashmir. The first glimpse of the tranquil, azure blue waters and shaky lakeshore remains etched in the memory of tourists. This area falls under army control and requires pass from deputy commissioner of Leh. During the winter season, the lake and its surroundings are engulfed by freezing temperature. The surface of the lake becomes so solid that one can’t walk over it. On the surface of frozen lake a gala festival of ice skating is organized. It calls on large number of skiers and ice skaters from several parts of the world. During this festival, tourists also get to see the local culture of the native people. The route passes through beautiful Ladakh countryside, over Chang La, the third highest motorable mountain pass in the world. Traces of snow along the road welcome us. One can cross the valley on sinking road. The mountains in the backdrop appeared to be painted in the colors of green, brown and violet. There is a mountaineering school, which imparts training in various degrees of rock climbing.