The name of Ladakh is derived from there being many passes or La in the region. Ladakh is bounded on the west by Kashmir, to the north lies the Trans Himalayan portion of Jammu and Kashimir and to the south of it the mighty Karakoram range and Tibet to the East, four mountain ranges cross Ladakh – Great Himalaya, Zanskar, Ladakh and Karakoram.  Karakoram and the great Himalayas are the world’s highest mountain ranges. Ladakh is a mountainous area situated to the north of India and lying at altitudes of between 9000 to 20000 feet above sea level. The main river of Ladakh is Indus, which flows in a north-west direction between Ladakh and Zanskar ranges. It is joined by several major rivers like Zanskar,Suru and Shayok before it reaches Pakistan. Ladakh was described by Fa-hian,who travelled across its inhospitable terrain in 399 A.D.,as 'The land where snow never melts and only corn ripens'.

The earliest inhabitants of Ladakh were the Khampa nomads. The first settlement along the Indus river was established by Mons and anothere tribe called Brokpas originating from Gilgit. Gya became the first seat of government of the Mon ruler who was known by the name of Gyapacho. For nearly 900 years, from the middle of the 10th century, Ladakh was an independent kingdom, its ruling dynasties descending from the kings of old Tibet. The golden era of Ladakh came in the early 17th century, when its trade flourished under the wise rule of the famous king Sengge Namgyal. His empire stretched across Spiti and western Tibet all the way to the Mayumla situated beyond Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar. It was during this period that Ladakh gained fame as the most popular and best trade route between Punjab and Central Asia, for centuries it was traversed by caravans carrying textiles and spices, raw silk and carpets, dyestuffs and narcotics. Heedless of the land's rugged terrain and apparent remoteness, merchants entrusted their goods to relays of pony transporters who took about two months to carry them from Amritsar to the Central Asian towns of Yarkand and Khotan. On this long route, Leh was the half way house, and developed into a bustling entrepot, its bazaars thronged with marchants from far countries. By the beginning of the 19th century, the Mugal empirehad collapsed, and Sikh rule had been established in Punjab and Kashmir. However the Dogra region of Jammu remained under its Rajput rulers, the greatest of whom was Maharaja Gulab Singh, whose General Zorawar Singh invaded Ladakh in 1834. King Tshespal Namgyal was dethroned and exiled to Stok. Ladakh came under Dogra rule and was incorporated into the state of Jammu and Kashmir in 1846. They followed a decade of war and turmoul, which ended with the emergence of the British as the paramount power in north India. Ladakh along with neighboring Baltistan became a part of Jammu & Kashmir. After the partition in 1947, Baltistan moved over to the territories of Pakistan while Ladakh is still in India as an integral part of the Jammu and Kashmir state. Before the Indo-Pak ceasefire between India and Pakistan the Ladakh region comprised the three districts of Leh, Kargil and Skardo. Later the district of Skardo and a part of Kargil became the territory of Pakistan. During the 1962 was between China and India, a part of the Leh district was also usurped by China. Now Ladakh consists of two districts, Leh and Kargil. Leh is the head quarters of the Ladakh region.

Ladakh is situated between 30 degree to 36 degree east latitude and 76 degree to 79 degree north longitude.The region of Ladakh normally remains land locked between November to June every year as Srinagar-Ladakh and Ladakh- Monali highways, which connect Ladakh with the other parts of the country, remain closed during this period because of snow and rigorous winter.

The people of Ladakh are by nature honest, loving and compassionate. There are four main groups of people i.e. the Mons, the Dards, Tibetan, and the Baltis. Most of the population of Ladakh is farmers. The most attractive feature of the landscape of Ladakh is the Buddhist monasteries. People are very religious; their daily life is ordered by religious belief. Pious texts are constantly on their lips; prayer wheels turn without ceasing; while prayer flages wave from the roofs of the houses and the summits of the mountain passes.

General Information

State Capital                                        :               Jammu & Srinagar

Population (2001-cencus)                  :               2,40,000

Area                                                       :               Sq Kms. sq. km

Altitude                                                  :               2770 mts. – 6155 mts.

Languages                                             :               Ladakhi including Balti / Purgi, Shina or Dardic, Urdu / Hindi.

Religion                                                  :               Hinduism, Buddhism and Islam

Major Rivers                                          :               Indus, Shyok,

Major Lakes                                          :               Pangong, Tsomoriri.      

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• *Leh
• *Monasteris in Leh & Ladakh
• *Khardung-la
• *Nubra Valley
• *Tsomoriri Lake
• *Tsokar Lake
• *Pangong Lake 

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 LEH 

 

Leh town (3505 mts.)  is the headquarter of the Leh District and  is the the largest town of Ladakh with an area of 45110 Sq Km. Town is bounded by Pakistan occupied Kashmir in the West, China in the north and eastern part, and Lahul Spiti of Himachal  Pradesh  in  South East. In the ancient times the present Leh district was a part of Greater Ladakh spread over from Kailash Mansarover to Swaat (Dardistan). For a long time Leh remained the capital of the Rajas of Ladakh. Leh became an important centre for trade in Central Asia. It opened for foreigner in 1974 and since then Leh became an important destination in India. The most attractive feature of the landscape of Ladakh is the Buddhist monasteries.

Leh Palace: The Leh Palace, known as “Lhachen Palkhar” was built by Singey Namgyal in 1600 AD. It has 9 storeys. It was the home of the royal family until they were exiled to Stok in the 1830s. There are Buddhist wall paintings, centuries old 'tankas' or painted scrolls in the palace.

Namgyal Tsemo (Victory Peak):  It was built by the King Tashi Namgyal after the reunification of upper and lower Ladakh and victory over Hor (central Asian invaders).

Tsemo Monastery: Monastery was built by King Graspa Bum-Lde in 1430 AD. It contains a three-story Maitrieya Buddha and a one-storied statue of Avaloketesvara, Manjushri and ancient manuscripts and frescoes. Enjoy the panoramic view of the mountains and Leh town from the top.

Shanti Stupa: Shanti Stupa at Changspa on the hilltop built by Japanese who harboured the ambition of spreading Buddhism across the world, in 1985 and was inaugurated by Dalai Lama in 1985.

Sankar Monastery: It belongs to the Gelukpa school of Tibetan Buddhism. It is a branch monastery of Spituk Monastery, founded by the first incarnation of Skyabje Bakula (head monk of Spituk).

 

Spituk Monastery: The Monastery is located on the top of a hillock, 7 Km from Leh. Spituk Monastery is belonging to Gelukpa Order and there are about 100 monks in the monastery. It founded by Od-de in the 11th century. He introduced a monastic community. The great translator Lotsava Rinchen Zangpo visited this monastery.  Stok Monastery, Sankar monastery and Saboo monastery are branches of Spituk Monastery. It commands a panaoramic view of the Indus Valley.

Stok Palace & Museum: 14 km south of Leh, Palace and Musuem were built in 1825 by King Tsespal Tindup Namgyal, when the invading Dogra forces deposed the king of Ladakh. From then on the successive kings of Ladakh resided in this castle. The Palace Museum is worth visiting. Museum exhibits King’s crown, royal dress, thangkas coins etc. Gurphug monastery a branch of Spituk monastery is little away from the place.

Shey Place & Monastery: The Palace is 15 Km from Leh town, King Deldan Namgyal built it in 17th century. He also built a monastery there. The main image in the monastery is the two- storey tall statue of Buddha Shakyamuni, made of copper, installed by King Deldan Namgail in the memory of his father Singay Namgail.

Phyang Monastery: 17 Kms west of Leh on the hilltop, belongs to Dingung order, founded in 16th century by Chosje Danma Kunja Dragpa. It has 50 monks at residence.The festival of Gang-Sgnon Tsedub are held every year from 2nd to 3rd of the 6th month.

Thiksey Monastery: Thiksey is 18 km south of Leh and situated on the top of a hill. This is most imposing Monastery in the Ladakh. It belongs to Gelukpa order. The Monastery 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. The festival of Thiksey Gustor is held in the October-November. Around 80 monks are in residence. There are images of Maitriya Buddha, Sakyamuni, thousand armed Avaloketshvara, Budhisattvas and an excilent library in the Monastery.

Stakna Monastery: Stakna is 25 Km east of Leh. Stakna means “tiger nose”, it was built on a hill shaped like a tiger’s nose and so its name was given as Stakna. Built in about 1580 by great scholar saint chosje Jamyang Palkar during the reign of King Jamyang Namgyal. There are about 30 monks in residence.

Matho: 26 km from Leh, is only a monastery belonging with the Sakya Orderfounded by a Lama Dungpa Dorje in the 16th century.  The “ Matho Nagrang” festival held there every year on the 14th and 15th day of the first Tibetan month.

Basgo Palace: situated 42 Km from Leh, buily by King Jamyang Namgyal and Singay Namgyal in 16th century. Singhey Namgyal made a three stored copper guilted image of Matriya Buddha as the memory of his father. The ruins of a temple and a stupa build by Rinchen Zangpo (the translator).

Hemis Monastrey: The Hemis Monastery is the biggest and wealthiest monastery in Ladakh. It is situated 45 Km to the south of Leh and built in 1630 by first incarnation of Stagsang Raspa Nawang Gyats, who was invited to Ladakh by king Singee Namgyal. The king offered him religious estates through out the region. Monastery belongs to Drugpa Order (Red Hat sect.) and has largest Thangka painting in Ladakh, which is over 12 mts. in length and which is exhibited once in 12 years. The Festival of Hemis is the most popular festival, held in June-July and dedicated to Lord Padmasambhava, which is characterized by colorful masked dances.

Liker Monastery: Located around 52 Kms from Leh, also called the Klu-Kkhjil or "water spirits" Monastery. Belongs to the Gelukpa Order. Monastery was founded in 1065 by Lama Duwang Chosje. The Likir Festival “Liker Dosmochey” is held from the 27th to 29th of the 12th month of the Tibetan calendar.

Alchi Monastery: 69 km from Leh the only monastery in Ladakh built on flat ground. Built in the 11th century by the great translator Ringchen Zangpo. This is very famous for its painting and architecture which has an Indian and Kashmiri influence in them. there are many beautiful images of Buddha within the monastery.  There is no monastic community; it is looked after by monks from the likir monastery.

Rezong Monastery: 73 Kms from Leh near Uleytokpo village, the monastery built by Lama Tsultim Nima in 1831 AD. There are 40 monks in residence. About one and half km below the monastery, there is a nunnery called Chulichan (Chomoling) where about 20 nuns reside. They performed in the monastery. 

Lamayuru Monastery: It is situated 127 Km from Leh. Monastery built on sand stone. This is the oldest known monastery which dates back to the 10th century. It belongs to the kar-gyut-pa (Red Hat) sect. it is said that long time ago Arahat Nimagung visited this place and he made a prophecy that monastery will come up at this spot. He made offering to the Naga serpent spitrits. The corns mixed with the earth and formed like Swastika or Yungdrung, later it came to be known as Yungdrung Monastery. Rinchen Zangpo, the Translator came to build many temples and stupas and so the teaching of the Kadampa School came to flourish greatly there but later it was taken over by Digungpa Order. Mahasiddha Naropa also came to this place and meditated here. There are renowned collection of carpets, thankas and frescoes. A festival “Yuru Kabgyad” is held on 17th and 18th of the 5th month of tibetain calendar during which dances are performed.

Khardung-la : Khardung-la pass is 43 Kim from Leh town and this is the highest motor able pass in the world 5602 mts and has been recorded in the Gunnies Book of world records. From the top of the pass one can see the great view all the way south or the Indus valley to the seemingly endless peaks and the ridges of the Zanskar range. There is a small temple on the top.

Nubra Valley : Nubra Valley is 145 Km from Leh between Karakoram and Ladakh ranges of Himalayas. Nubra means”Ldumra” (the valley of flowers). It is drained by Siachen and Shayok river. Nubra valley was one of the trade centres on the ancient famouse silk route passing through this area. The Bactrian Camels (shaggy double hump Camel) can be seen around sand-dune, between Deskit and Hundar village, which was used on the ancient silk route.

Diskit Monastery: it is situated in Nubra valley and founded in 1420 AD by Shesrab Zangpo of Stod. About 100 monks are residing in the Monastery.Gutor festival held on 20th and 21st days of the 12th tibetain calendar.

Hundar Monastery: it is 7 Km from Diskit situated in Hundar village and 500 years old.  There is a small desert area between Hundar and Diskit and one can see the double womb camels. The camels date back to the silk route.

Sumur Monastery: this is a beautiful monastery and worth to visit.

Samstanling Monastery: it is 132 years old and founded by Lama Tsultims Nima. It is situated on the North facing Diskit Monastery and about 50 monks are in residence.

Panamic: This is a small village and was a famouse place in ancient silk route. It has a monastery, which is situated on the opposite side of the river. The village has hot sulphur spring and pleope use it for medicine purpose.

 

Turtuk Village :Turtuk is situated in the Leh district of the Nubra Valley. It is 205 km from Leh  the district headquarters, and 10 km from the Line of Control between India and Pakistan. Lying on the banks of Shyok River, it is a very secluded, military-dominated, and sensitive area, as merely ten kilometers ahead is the border or line of control between India and Pakistan. It is predominantly Muslim, and the people here speak Urdu, Ladakhi, Balti, and Hindi. The Balti culture can be witnessed distinctively through their food, clothes, and their language. Turtuk was part of Pakistan – Occupied Kashmir up until 1971 when Major Chewang Rinchen got the village under India’s command and the last outpost of Indian controlled Ladakh, after which Pakistan-controlled Gilgit-Baltistan begins. The village is one of the gateways to the Siachen Glacier with the snow-clad peaks of Mt. K2, visible in the horizon from the top of the village.

 

Turtuk has only been opened to tourists since 2010 and having approximately 4000 population in this village.

It takes about 9 hours to get to Turtuk, and it is advisable to stop at Hunder, Nubra Valley overnight. Foreign nationals have to obtain permits to enter Turtuk from Leh. Indians can enter showing a government-approved id.

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Tsomoriri Lake: This lake is situated at an elevation of 4573 mts, and around 240 Km from Leh. . The Lake is 8 Km wide and 28 Km long and is the home of numerous species of birds.  Karzok Village and monastery is located on the south west bank of this lake.  Monastery was founded by Lama Kunga Lodows Snyingbo about 135 years ago. There are many statue and thankas inside the monastery. There are 50 monks in the monastery. The nomads (Changpas) can be seen around the lake. They move from one place to another with their goats and yaks.

Tsokar Lake: Tsokare Lake is situated at an altitude of 4268 and 154 km from Leh. Tsokar means salty lake. In ancient days people used bring salt from this lake and export to near region. The place is famous for wild asses of Tibetans plateau.

Pangong Lake: The lake is located at an altitude of 4268 mts and around 145 Km from Leh. THE Lake is 6 Km wide and over 144 Km long. 75% of the lake is in China and only 25% is in India. This lake is one of the largest and most beautiful natural lakes in the country.

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