PLACES OF TOURIST INTEREST
The most attractive feature of the
landscape of Ladakh are the Buddhist monasteries situated on the isolated
hillock in the vicinity of villages, these aesthetically pleasing,
architecturally interesting monasteries provide the focus for the faith of the
highly religious Buddhist people. Monasteries are the places of worship,
isolated meditation and religious instruction for the young. Many monasteries
celebrate their annual festivals in winter, which are marked by gay mask
dances. Monasteries have a wealth of artefacts, Lamayuru, the oldest religious
centre of Ladakh, beats all other in sheer grandeur. In its uniqueness of wood
carving, statues and frescoes, Alchi offers the highest rewards. The wealth of
its possession and its annual summer festival make Hemis the most popular,
while Thiksay rates high in terms of architectural impact and the beauty of the
festival performances at Likir and Phyang with their proximity to Leh are great
attractions in their favour while the accessibility of the Shey, Spituk and the
Sankar monasteries make them suitable for visitors with time at a premium.
The approach to
the monasteries is lined with mane walls and Chortens. Mane walls are made of
votive stones on which prayers and holy figures are inscribed, while Chortens
are semi religious shrines or reliquaries, containing relics of holy people or
scripts. Besides monasteries, the 9 storey Leh Palace, Stok Palace Museum and
the Central Institute of Buddhist Studies Choglamsar, Mosque and Moravian
Church at Leh are added attraction for the tourists. Most of these can be
conveniently visited from Leh as buses ply daily between Leh and those
monasteries. Most of the monasteries remain open throughout the day.
The government
of India has declared following historical monuments in Ladakh as national
importance under Archaeological Survey of India.
1. Sculpture at Drass
2.
Rock Cut Sculpture at Mulbekh.
3.
Lamayuru Monastery.
4.
Likir Monastery.
5.
Alchi Monastery
6.
Phyang Monastery.
7.
Hemis Monastery.
8.
Leh Palace.
9.
Old Castle Tsemo Hill.
10. Stupa at T- Suru.
11. Shey Palace
THE CASTLE OF LEH AND THE
TEMPLE OF NAMGIAL TSEMO.
Leh is the capital of Ladakh and there are
many temples, castles and stupas here, which were built by the ancestral
Dharmaraja. Leh was the Ist of all the capital of King Takspa Bum-lde who rules
over the area of Stod, which included Leh from 2400 to 1430. It was he who
built the ‘Red Chapel’ containing the statue of the Buddha Maitreya, three
storeys in height with the statue of Avalokitesvara & Manjusri on either
side, each one storey in height. As speech-supports he had the Sungbum Chenmo
and many other sacred texts written out in gold & silver. As a mind-
support he built, the stupa of Ti’u-Tashis Od-phro containing 108 temples
inside. This he built on top of the so-called’ Yellow- Te’u Demon’ which had
been harming the valley of Leh. The ruin of the stupa can be seen to this day
and is known to everyone as Tisuru. Thereafter, the temple of Namgail Tsemo was
built during the lifetime of King Tashi Namgial who rules from 1500 to 1532. He
founded the village of Chubi.
The Leh Palace,
known as “ Lhachen Palkhar ‘ was built by Dharmaraja Singey Namgial in 1600. It
has 9 storey. The historians say that its completion took three years. In the
Leh valley, there is Sankar monastery to be seen which the first Skyabsje
Bakula Rinpoche founded. It is a branch monastery of Spituk Monastery.In the
town of Leh there is a yellow stupa called the “ Mani Sermo’ which was built by
Rinchen Zangpo, the Translator.In the centre of Leh there is the “ New
monastery’ calledThe Buddhist Association of Ladakh in 1957 built it. Inside,
there is a sacred image of the Buddha Shakya Muni that was brought from Tibet.
Close by the Radio Station in Leh there is two large Mani walls. The one built
in the Centre of the open plain known as her son Deldan Namgial in about the
year 1635 built Rongo Thang as a memorial to Queen Skalzang Dolma. At its head
and end there are the stupas of Enlightenment and of victory which contain
relics. Tsetan Namgail in 1785 and intended as a memorial built the long Mani
wall further down from this one to his father king Tsewang Namgial.
The festival of
Dosmochey in Leh takes place every year in the 28th & 29th of the Tibetan 12th
month. The monks of different monasteries are invited by turn to perform the
ceremonies, which ensure health & prosperity. The monks of Takthok
monastery come and erect a large thread-cross model (Dosmochey) after which the
festival is named. Continuing on the Changspa Lane across the stream, you reach
the start of the stiff climb up to the new white Japanese Shanti Stupa ( 1983).
There are good views from the top. There is also a jeepable road.
The
architecturally striking Leh Mosque, in the main Bazaar is worth visiting. The
Sunni Muslim Mosque is believed to stand on land granted by King Deldan Namgial
in the 1660s, his grand mother was the Muslim Queen of Ladakh.
STOK PLACE
& MONASTERY.
15 Kms South of Leh at the West Bank of
river Indus is the Royal Palace dating from the 1840s when the invading Dogra forces
deposed the king of Ladakh. The Palace is a rambling building where only a
dozen of the 80 rooms are used. The Palace Museum (3 rooms) is worth visiting.
It is a show piece for the royal thankas (many 400 years old), crown jewels,
dresses, coins, peraks encrusted with turquoise and lapis lazuli as well as
religious objects. The monastery founded by Lama Lhawang Lotus in 14th
century, a short distance away, has some ritual dance- mask (Guru Tseschu) held
on the 9th and 10 th day of the Ist month of Tibetan
calendar.
SHEY PLACE & MONASTERY.
King Deldan Namgial (1620 - 1640) built Shey palace in the beginning
of the 17th century AD. The main image in the monastery is the 3- storey statue
of Buddha Shakyamuni, made of copper guilt, which was made by King Deldan
Namgail in the memory of his father Singay Namgail. The statue is the only of
its kind in the region.
TRESTHANG MONASTERY
It was build during the reign of King
Singay Namgial, containing the two-storey statue of Buddha. (Shey Srubla)
festival is also held here at Tresthang Gonpa. The rock- curved statue of five Buddhas
can be seen below the Palace on the roadside.
THIKSAY MONASTERY
Thiksay Gonpa, 18 Kms from Leh is the most
beautiful of all monasteries in Ladakh, belongs to the Gelukpa order. The Gonpa
was first build at Stakmo by Sherab Zangpo of Stod. Later the nephew of Sherab
Zangpo, Spon Paldan Sherab, founded the Thiksay Gonpa on a hill top to north of
Indus river in 1430 AD.There are sacred shrines and many precious objects to be
seen there. Eighty monks are in residence. The successive reincarnations of the
Skyabsje Khanpo Rinpoche act as incumbents of the monastery. Sacred dances are
held at the time of the Gustor ritual, which is performed every year from the
17th to 19th day of the 9th month of Tibetan Calendar. Although there was a
very large temple built in ancient times at Thiksay by Rinchen Zangpo, the
Translator, now it is in ruins. What remains of the building and walls can be
seen at the site of the temple which was called Lakhang Nyerma and which was
dedicated to the goddess Dorje Chenmo.
STAKNA
MONASTERY
The
Stakna monastery lies at a distance of 25 Kms from Leh on the Right Bank of the
River Indus. The monastery formed part of the one of the many religious estates
offered to the great scholar saint of Bhutan called Chosje Jamyang Palkar in
about 1580 AD by the Dharmaraja Jamyang Namgial who had invited his to
Ladakh.The monastery was built on a hill shaped like a tiger’s nose and so its
name was given as Stakna (Tiger’s
nose). The most important image in the monastery is that of the sacred Arya
Avalokitesvara from Kamrup (Assam). There are about 30 monks in residence. The
successive reincarnation of the Stakna Tulku act as the incumbents the
monastery and they continue to fulfil the fine responsibility of upholding the
teachings of the Dugpa order. The branch monasteries attached to Stakna are
those of Mud and Kharu and those of Stakrimo, Bardan and Sani in Zanskar.
HEMIS MONASTERY
47 Kms from Leh on the west bank of the
Indus, the monastery belongs to Dugpa Order, built on a green hillside
surrounded by spectacular mountain scenery, is hidden in a gorge. It is the
biggest and wealthiest monastery in Ladakh and is a must for visitors. Sacred
musk dance is performed on 9th and 10th day of the Tibetan 5th month. During
the Hemis Tsechu held in the year of the Monkey it is possible to se the sacred
appliqué- work tapestry wrought with pearls the depicts the precious teacher.
Padmasambhava.Next display of great Thanka will be in 2004.Within the monastery
there are to be seen a copper-gilt statue of the Lord Buddha, various stupas
made of gold and silver, sacred thankas and many objects. The monastery was
founded by the 1st incarnation of Stagsang Raspa Nawang Gyatso in 1630, which
was invited to Ladakh by the king Singay Namgial and offered him a religious
estate through out the region.
There
is a pleasant 3 Kms walk, on the side of the mountain above the monastery there
is a sacred hermitage founded by the great Gyalwa Kotsang where there can be
seen his meditation cave, his foot-print and hand - print on the rock and
sacred shrines. This Kotsang is an old hermitage, which was founded many years
before the Hemis Monastery. A stay in Hemis over night enables you to attend
early morning prayers, a moving experience and strongly recommended.
CHEMDAY MONASTERY
Chemday monastery is situated 40 Kms east
of Leh. The monastery is situated there on the mountain side and was founded
365 years ago by Lama Tagsang Raschen with the Dharmaraja Singey Namgial acting
as patron. There is a sacred image of Padmasambhava to be seen there, one
storey in height. There are, furthermore, many shrines. A custom exists whereby
every year on the 28th & 29th days of the 9th Tibetan month sacred dances
are performed in association with the festival of an initiatory ritual. The
successive reincarnations of Lama Tagsang Raschen act as the incumbents.
TAKTHOK MONASTERY
The monastery of Takthok is situated in
the village of Sakti at a distance of 46 Kms from Leh. Before the monastery was
founded there was a meditation cave of a Mahaadiddha called Kunga Phuntsog.
After him, during the lifetime of the Dharmaraja Tsewang Namgial, 31st, in the
line of the royal dynasty. Since the roof and walls of the monastery are all
made of rock, it was given that name Takthok (rock-roof), There is a custom of
holding sacred dances & the ceremony of hurling a votive offering during
the festival of an initiatory ritual on the 9th & 10th days of the 6th
Tibetan month. At present the Taklung Tulku administers it.
MATHO MONASTERY
Matho is situated at a distance of 26 kms
Southeast of Leh on the opposite bank of the River Indus. There is a monastery,
which belongs to the Saskya Order. A Lama Dugpa Dorje founded it about five hundred
years ago. Shrines and also a sacred temple dedicated to the guardian deities
are to be seen there. A festival called the “ Matho Nagrang ‘ takes place there
every year on the 14th and 15th day of the 1st Tibetan month. All the monks
perform sacred dances and two gods known as the Rongtsan make their appearance.
There is no incarnate being who acts as incumbent. However, Loding Khan
Rinpoche is acting present performing the functions of an incumbent.
SPITUK MONASTERY
8 Kms from Leh, the monastery standing on
a conical hill with 3 chapels was founded in the 11th century by Od-de the
elder brother of Lha Lama Changchub Od, when he come to Maryul.He introduced a
monastic community. When Rinchen Zangpo, the translator came to that place he
said that an exemplary religious community would arise there and so the
monastery was called Spituk (Exemplary). That time it belonged to the Kadampa
School. Then during the lifetime of Dharmaraja Takspa Bum- Lde Lama Lhawang
Lotus restored the monastery and the stainless order of Tsongkhapa was
introduced and it has remained intact as such up till the present. The
Principal statue is that of the lord Buddha.Within this status there is a
sacred image of Amitayus, about the finger length in height, presented to Kind
Takspa Bum-Lde by the great Tsongkhapa. Every year from the 27th to 29th days
of the Tibetan 11th month the sacred dance associated with the festival of the
Gustor are held. Stok Monastery, Sankar monastery and Saboo monastery are
branches of Spituk Monastery. The incumbents of all these monasteries are the
successive reincarnations of Skyabsje Bakula Rinpoche. The monastery is
belonging to Gelugpa Order. There are about 100 monks in the monastery of
Spituk.
PHYANG MONASTERY
Phyang is situated 17 kms west of Leh.
The site for the monastery there formed part of one of the many monastic
estates Offered to Chosje Damma Kunga from Digung during the time of Dharmaraja
Jamyang Namgial, who had invited the former to Ladakh.A monastery called Tashi
Chozong was founded in 1515 there on the hill of Phyang and a monastic
community introduced. It marked the 1stestablishment of the Digung teachings in
Ladakh, teachings whose traditions began with Skyoba Jigsten Gonbo, Within the
monastery there are sacred shrines and various wall paintings are to be seen
which date from the royal period. The protective of the monastery is Apchi
Choski Dolma.Every year from the 2nd to 3rd of the 6th month the sacred dances
and the hurling of votive offering associated with the festival of (Gang-sngon
Tsedup) are held. The successive reincarnation of Skyabje Toldan Rinpoche acts
as the incumbents of the monastery.
THE CASTLE OF BASGO
Basgo
lies at a distance of 42 Kms west of Leh.The castle known as Basgo Rabtan
Lhartsekhar is situated there on a hill of clay. The Dharmaraja Jamyang Namgial
and Singay Namgial, father and son built it. The Principal image there is that
of the so-called’Golden Maitreya,’ a sacred copper-gilt image of the Buddha
Maitreya, two storey in height. The Dharmaraja Singey Namgail as funerary build
it to his father, king Jamyang Namgial.There is also an image of the Buddha
Maitreya made of clay three storeys in height, which can be seen at the top of
the castle. The ruins of a temple and a stupa build by Rinchen Zangpo, the
translator can also be seen.
RIZONG MONASTERY
73 Kms
from Leh, the monastery of Rizong was built in 1831 by the great Lama Tsultim Nima.The
monastery upholds the teachings of the great Tsongkhapa.Dress and food
provisions are provided for all members of the community by the governing body
of the monastery. Nothing other than religious robes and books is permitted for
the inmates of each cell. There are 40 monks in residence. The incumbents of
the monastery are the successive reincarnations of Lama Tsultim Nima and of his
son, Sras Rinpoche. Within the monastery there are shrines, the painting blocks
of the biography of Lama Tsultim Nima, many objects made and books composed by
the 1st Sras Rinpoche. The monastery is sited in a most solitary position. 2
Kms below it there is a nunnery called Chulichan (Chomoling) where about 20
nuns reside. The governing body of Rizong Monastery provides their food
provisions and clothes. The walk of spinning wool, milking, extracting oil for
the temple lamps and so forth has to be performed by all the nuns.
LIKIR
MONASTERY
Likir lies at a distance of 62 Kms west
of Leh. During the time of Lhachen Gyalpo, the fifth king of Ladakh, a
religious estate and the land on which to build the monastery was offered to Lama
Duwang Chosje, a great champion of meditation. The Lama blessed the site and in
1065 the monastery was built. The monastery was encircled by the bodies of the
two great serpent spirits, the naga- rajas (Nanda & Taksako) and so its
name became widely renowned as Likir (The Naga - Encircled). In the 15th
Century the disciple of Khasdubje known as Lhawang Lodos Sangphu caused the
monastery to flourish. The monastery was brought into the order of the great
Lama Tsongkhapa and up till present times the ritual and observances of the
three basic Pratimoksa disciplines, which from the basic of Buddhist teachings,
are preserved. There are many blessed shrines in this monastery and there
resides a protective deity wearing golden armour and of stern command.Every year
from the 27th to 29th of 12 th Tibetan month the votive offerings known as
Dosmochey are assembled and sacred dances are performed. The successive
reincarnations of Naris Rinpoche act as the incumbents of the monastery.
ALCHI
MONASTERY
Although there are a great many temples,
caves and stupas built in Ladakh by Rinchen Zangpo, Translator, Alchi Choskor
is the large and most famous of all of them. Alchi is situated at a distance of
67 Kms west of Leh, founded by Rinchen Zangpo, Translator, in 1000 AD. The
sacred temples, to be seen there include the Principal one of the Rinchen
Lhakhang, at Lotsa Lhakhang, the Jamyang Lhakhang (Manjusri temple) and the
sumtsag Lhakhang. The main image is that of Vairocana but there can also been
seen the five Buddha Families together with their attendant deities, The
paintings are not like the Tibetan style but rather they are executive
according to the Indian tradition. In order to build these temples Rinchen
Zangpo, the Translator is said in the various biographies to have brought with
him from Kashmir (thirty-two sculptors and wood carvers). Other temples built
by Rinchen Zangpo, Translator are to be found at Mangu and Sumda each
containing a sacred image of Vaironica, various most beautiful images of the
Buddhas and Bodhisatvas and many kinds of lovely paintings. They are also
included among the 108 temples built by Rinchen Zangpo, the Translator, within
the province of Naris Skorsum.
LAMAYURU MONASTERY
Lamayuru Monastery is situated 127 Kms
west of Leh. In the 11th century the mahasiddha Naropa came to this place and the
cave where he resided and meditated is still to be seen today. Then Rinchen
Zangpo, the Translator came to build many temples and stupas and so the
teaching of the Kadampa School came to flourish greatly there. There after, for
many years the monastery was administered by the Zhwa-mar-pa (Red Hats), after
which the Dharmaraja Jamyang Namgial offered it to Chosje Danma, whom he had
invited to Ladakh. The rituals and observances of the Digung Kargyud School
were introduced and the monastery received the name of Yungdrung Tharpaling.The
successive reincarnation of Skyabsje Toldan Rinpoche acts as the incumbents of
the monastery. There is a custum whereby each year on the 17th & 18th of
the 5th Tibetan month the festival of the so-called (Yuru Kabgyad) is held
during which dances are performed. In this monastery there are various shrines
to be seen, including thangkas and wall paintings.
WANLA MONASTE
Wanla is situated close by Yungdrung to
the Southeast. This old monastery was built in 1000 AD.during the time of Lama
Rinchen Zangpo, the translator. The famous image of the 11 headed Mahakaruna
(Avalkitesvara), built to a height of more than two storeys, is to be seen
there. On the wall paintings there are depicted the Buddhas, Boddhisattvas, the
Mandala and so forth. There is also a sacred image of Chovo-je-Paldan Atisha.
THE CASTLE OF TINGMOSGANG
Tingmosgang lies at a distance of about
92 Kms west of the Leh.This castle was built at the time when Gragpa Bum,
Younger brother of Takspa Bum-Lde, the 17rth king of the Ladakhi dynasty, was
ruling over Sham in accordance with religious tenets. About 50 years have
elapsed since its construction. Contemporary to this was the Red Chapel “
Tsuglagkhang Marpo “ containing an image of the Buddha Maitreya to the height
of 3 storeys. In particular it was at those times that the self-originated
image of Avalokitesvara from Kamrup was brought & installed inside the
castle of Tingmosgang. The image is considered to be a most excellent object of
pilgrimage which leads to the accumulation of great merit and to which
prostration and oblations have been offered by the successive Dharmaraja of
Ladakh and by the whole populations of Ladakh.
KARCHA MONASTERY
ZANSKAR
Karcha is the largest of all monasteries in
Zanskar. Karcha Chamspaling to give its full name was first established by
Phagspa Shesrab, the translator of Zanskar.The Teacher Dorje Shesrab who caused
it to flourish built the present monastery. Shesrab Zangpo of Stod introduced
the order of Tsongkhapa there. More than 100 monks are in residence. There are
shrines and in particular, the wall paintings executed by the Lama Dzadpa
Dorje. The Bone relics of Dorje Rinchen are also to be seen. Every year on the
28th & 29th days of the 6th Tibetan month the tradition of sacred dance is
observed in association with the Gustor festival. In that place there are also
two temples built by Rinchen Zangpo, the translator known as the
Thugsjechhenpoi Lhakhang and the Lhakhang Karpo.Close by the village of Karcha there
are the monasteries of Khagsar, of Purang in the village of Langmi, of Phagspa
in the village of Nangbaphal and a nunnery called Dorjezong at the top of the
valley.
ZONGKUYL MONASTERY
Zongkul is a sacred place of meditation,
founded by the great mahasiddha Naropa, who when he was residing in his
meditation cave (where his staff is still preserved) which is situated on the
high and splendid rock face above the present monastery, he struck his ritual
dagger in to the rock as a sign that he would found the monastery. The
mahasiddha went there and founded the monastery. There after it became the
sacred place of meditation for all the mahasiddha of Zanskar, including Dubchen
Kunga Gyatso, Dubchen Nawang Tsering, Dzadpa Dorje, Karmapa, Kunga Choslag and
lama Norboo. Inside the monastery there are to be seen many kinds of sacred
shrines including the holy objects made by all those mahasiddha mentioned
above, such as: an ivory image of Samvara, a crystal stupa and the texts
containing the spiritual songs and biographies composed by the successive
mahasiddha. Inside the meditation cave there is Panchen Naropa’s footprint
embedded in the rock and his sacred spring
BARDAN MONASTERY
The side of the Lungnak River situates
Barden monastery at 8 miles distance from the capital of Zanskar Padum on top
of a high cliff. The Lama Barapa founded it in 1270. The Principal image is a
Gandhara statue of the Buddha Maitreya, 2 feet in high, which is said to have
spoken. The Bodhisattva Deba Gyatso founded the present monastery. Since it was
the seat (gdan-sa) of Lama Barapa its name became Bardan.The ruins of a
monastery and a stupa can still be seen on top of the mountain called Thar-Lha.
STONGDE MONASTERY
Stongde monastery is renowned as having
been founded by Lama Lhodak Marpa Choski Lodos in 1052 and its name is also
Marpaling. Later, Shakya Zangpo of Stongde caused it to flourish. Lama
Gyaltsanpa Tundup Palzangpo introduced there the order of Tsongkhapa.There is
many kinds of most beautiful shrines and wall paintings to be seen there. About
60 monks are in residence and every year sacred dance are performed in
conjunction with the festival of Gustor which takes place on the 28th &
29th days of the 11th Tibetan month. The successive reincarnations of Nari
Tulku act as the incumbent. It seems about 960 years have gone by since the
monastery was founded.
THE CASTLE
OF SANI
Not only in Sani a particularly sacred place
due to its having been visited and blessed by Padmasambhava of Oddhiyana but it
is also prophesied to be equal and importance to the cemetery of Dechendal in
India. There can be seen a cemetery ground with cemetery trees and cemetery
springs and also a footprint of Guru Nima Odzer. In the centre of the rockface
on the opposite side of the River there can be seen a meditation cave and a
footprint. It is said that the Guru stayed there practicing meditation for many
years. In Sani is also the great Stupa of Kanishka founded in 124 AD. By king
Kanishka and the sacred of Naropa which can be seen on the day of the
pilgrimage to Sani which occurs in the 6th Tibetan month. Within the castle
there can be seen the various and most beautiful wall paintings which were
executed by Zadpa Dorje.
New Areas
Government of India, Ministry of home
Affairs has recently declared some more a areas of Ladakh opened for International Tourism. These areas are among
the outstanding feature of Himalayan Panorama. It could be yet another
destination for the global tourists. These areas are relatively more distinct
for cultural and adventure tourism. While declaring the new areas of Khaltse,
Nubra & Nyomo Sub-Division, Govt. of India however restricted the movement of traffic flow on 7 different tour
circuits to these divisions. Minimum period required for visiting these areas
should not exceed 7 days. To
understand, these circuits are set here in sequence and those are outlined and
separately explained here.
Khaltse Sub-Division (Drokhpa Area).
Khaltsi-Dumkhar-Skurbuchan-Hanudo-Bima-Dha
NUBRA
SUB-DIVISION
Leh-Khardongla-Khalsar-Tirit upto Panamik
Leh-Khardongla-Khalsar-Hunder.
Leh-Saboo-Degarla-Degar-Labab-Khungru
Gonpa-Tangyar
(only for trekking accompanied by state police)
NYOMA
SUB-DIVISION.
Leh-Upshi-Depring-Puga-Tsomoriri
Lake-Korzok
Leh-Upshi-Puga-Tsomoriri Lake-Korzok.
Leh-Karu-Changla-Durbuk-Tangtse-Lukhung-Spangmik.
It will be obligatory on the part of
Tourists, tour operators and other agencies related with the organised tour
that the tourists travel on the identified tour circuits only. They should
strictly follow the dos and don’ts as laid down by the Government.
DROGPAS
Drogpa areas have been outlined in the Tour
Circuits. Out of 5 Drogpa villages in India two are open for foreign tourists.
The greatest attraction in these areas are the villages of Dha and Biama which
are entirely populated by last remaining remnants of the Dards in the
District.Dards are considered as last race of Aryans confined to Indus Valley.
These villages have considerable anthropological and ethnographic importance.
Festivals of those villages are called harvest festivals. These are considered
rare and eventful the year of Drogpa in which all the people of these villages
come out of their colourful traditional dress and festival moods to celebrate
the festivals. Preceding to the Drogpas villages the village which fall enroute
are the villages of Domkhar Skurbuchan, Achinathang which are also important
and which tourists can also easily visit. At this stage, tourism being like
new-born baby, infrastructures are not adequate in this area. However there is a very good road leading
right upto Drogpa villages and tourist can stay over nights in some private
guest houses and or at some identified camping site at Khaltsi, Dhomkhar,
Skurbuchan, Achinathang, Hanu Do, Biama and Dha village. Approximately distance between Leh and
Drogpas villages are between the range of 150 to 170 kms from Leh.
NUBRA VALLEY
This valley is popularly known as Ldomra
or the valley of flowers. It is situated in the North of Ladakh, between
Karakoram and Ladakh ranges of Himalayas. Nubra lies at average altitude about
10,000 feet above sea level. The climate, of the areas being soft, soil is much
fertile and the vegetation of the area is comparatively thicker than those of
the other areas of Ladakh. Shrubs, bushes and trees grow in abundance wherever
there is any source of water. Due to this reason Nubra has acquired its right
name- Ldomra. Shayok river Siachan River forms largely drain Nubra its single
largest tributary. Nubra is a broad valley with lofty mountains on its all
sides. Valley assumes greater attractions at the site where both the rivers
meet. The formation of Central part of
Nubra also takes place there. Diskit is the Sub-Division HQ. Of Nubra. Diskit
Gonpa is also situated at a height of about 200 mtrs. Above the village, on the
spur of rocky mountain and at the most commanding point having clear view of
the entire central part of Nubra. Samstanling Gonpa is situated on the North
facing Diskit Gonpa. This Gonpa is equally important and recreationally it
assumes greater importance for being situated at a commanding scenic view point
at the foot hills of Karakoram ranges up above Tegar and Sumoor village, amidst
plenty of water and high vegetation.
Major village via Kardong, Khalsar, Tirit, Sumoor, Tegar Pinchemik,
Titisha and Panamik all fall along the traditional silk route. The caravans
travelling Central Asia and Kashmir through Nubra valley used to stay at those
villages. Panamik was the most important place for haltage of Caravan. It
served as last major village where the Caravans landed the facility of feed
back, before they negotiated Saser and Karakoram pass towards Central Asia. The
famous hot spring of Panamik also served them as a source for bath, drinking
water and medicine purpose. Panamik has still got charms and potentiality to
serve as a host to travellers. All areas around it including Iantsa Gonpa and
Murgi waterfall across it combined with scenic view strengthens its beauty and
hospitality.
PLACES
OF TOURIST INTEREST
Major attraction of Nubra is the highest
motorable Khardongla pass (18,383ft.) majestic peaks and glaciers enchanting
valleys and villages. Diskit and Samstanling Gonpa, Panamik hot spring, double
hump camel safari, river rafting, trekking and Sunbathe at Hunder are also a
great source of attraction for the tourists.
FACILITIES
AVAILABLE
There is a well-maintained road to Nubra
from Leh. Tourist can avail the facility of P.W.D. Rest House at Khardong,
Khalsar, Diskit, Sumoor and Panamik villages. There are private guesthouses and
Tented camps (Identified as cam ping sites) at Khalsar, Khardong, Diskit,
Hunder, Tisrit, Sumoor Tegar, Tirisha and Panamik. Besides there are shops and
small restaurants/tea stall at places enroute to Nubra valley. Some Hotels are
also coming up at Diskit, Hunder, Tegar and Panamik. There is road head right up to Panamik and Hunder. Though the
state of road stretch between sought Pule and North Pulu is rough yet travelling
and passing through world highest motorable bus Khardongla (18,383 ft.) is the
most exciting part of journey to Nubra.
CHANGTHANG
(NYOMA DIVISION)
The upland plateaus of Changthang in
Nyoma Sub-Division are possibly the most attractive areas in the District as
far as scenic beauty, brackish lakes and Wild Life are concerned. The vast
pastures with their gently flowing streams and the lakes amidst the
spectacularly coloured mountains are quite unlike any-thing a tourist see
anywhere in India.
PANGONGLAKE
This lake is situated at a elevation of
14,000ft. In the Eastern sector of
Ladakh, at a distance of 154km.from Leh across Changla pass (17,000ft.).This
lake is one of the largest and most beautiful natural brakish lakes in the
country.
TSOMO
RIRI LAKE
This lake is situated at a elevation of
15,000 ft. above the sea level, at a distance of 240 kms. From Leh in the
south-east sector of Ladakh. It is like a pearl shape and contains large
mineral deposits. Korzok village is situated on the South West Bank of this
lake. Korzok Gonpa and its inhabitants the nomads (Changpas) are most
outstanding features of this lake.
WILD
LIFE
Changthang also has an abundance of
exotic Wildlife, Skyang, the Tibetan wild ass and snow leopard are found here.
Wild asses are generally found grazing near Tsokar pastures and they seen
moving in flocks. Rare and exotic birds like Bar Headed Goose, the migratory
brids black Necked rare, the Great crested Grebe, the Tibetan crane and the
Brahme Ducks are also found in Changthang.
FACILITIES
AVAILABLE
Tourist can avail the facility of PWD
rest house at Tangtse Chumathang, Korzok and Tourist Bungalow at Rumtse. There
is private guesthouse and tented camps (identified as camping sites) at Durbuk,
Tangtse, Muglab, Lukhung and Spangmik villages in the Pangong Lake area. There
is road head right upto the lake. It is all metalled except the Changla pass
and a stretch of 28 kms. From between
Tangtse and Lukhung which is rough.
There are tented camps at Chumathang and
Korzok. Campsites are also available at Skidmang, Tsokar, and Hemya. For the
initial state there are two different approach, which both are given in the
tour circuits 5&6 of Nyoma Sub-Division-one is from Leh-Manali road via
Polo Kongka pass (13,500 ft) and other is from Leh Nyoma road which diverts at
Mahey bridge. Both these roads meet at Sumda in the Puga valley. From Sumda
onwards to Tsomoriri, there is a joint approach which is spread over a rough
stretch of 43 Kms. Besides this the initial approach of 57 Kms. between Sumda
and Manali road is also rough.