Forts and Palaces:Legacy of Erstwhile Royalty

Towering over the Leh town, is the imposing nine storeyed palaces built by Ladakh’s ruler Sengge Namgyal in the early 17th century. It is said to have served as the model for the POTALA Palace in Lhasa. Another palace built by King Tashi Namgyal in the 16th century stands above it on the TSEMO Peak.

Away from Leh town, many monuments connected with the former kingdoms’ history dot the Indus Valley. Not far from Leh, Shey (15 km) is the oldest capital of Ladakh from where it's earliest Tibetan Kings ruled. Perched on a spur, are the royal palaces and the temples adorned with brilliantly coloured murals and 7.5 meter copper and gold statue of Buddha. On the road is the engraving on a rock face of the Panch Tathagatas standing on the lotuses. There are remains of a fortress, said to of earliest rulers, even before the Tibetan invasion of the 9th/10th centuries. Basgo (40 km) and Tingmosgam (70 km) with their fortresses and palaces (now in ruins) were also the capital of Ladakh. Stok Palace (20 km), across the river, is the home of the royal family. The palace museum has collection of artifacts (beautiful royal costumes, jewelry, exquisite thankas (religious themes & icons painted and embroidered on cloth), porcelain, jade, weapons and armour).

Monasteries:Repository of Buddhist Art and Culture

This remote Trans-Himalayan region is a repository of Buddhist culture and religion. The monasteries called Gompas dotting the landscape are the very essences of Ladakhi culture and hold invaluable & unmemorable treasures like frescoes, images, thankas (religious themes and icons painted and embroidered on cloth) and rare manuscript. These monasteries home to hundreds of monks and nuns, who live, study, practice and preach their religion. Most of these monasteries are five hundred to a thousand years. Almost all these Gompas follow a code of architecture. The interior is divided into several halls, of which Dukhang; the main prayer hall is more spacious. A Gompa has dwelling cells for resident Lamas, library, and a large courtyard where dances and other ceremonies are performed.

Tsemo Gompa - Leh Built in 1430 AD, it is situated above the Leh Palace. It has a 13.7 metre high statue of Buddha, which the Ladakhies call ‘CHAMBA’. On the right of Chamba stands statue of AVALOKITESHWARA and on its left the statue of MANJUSHREE (Buddha of Wisdom).

Sankar Gompa - Leh Just 3 km from Leh market, it has a formidable collection of miniature statues of pure gold and a number of exiting paintings. It is one of the branches of Spituk Monastery, a major Geluks-pa establishment of Ladakh.

Spituk Gompa - 10 km from Leh, it is situated over a hillock, with a commanding view of the Indus River. It boasts not only of some prized thankas but also a chamber with enormous statue of Kali with her 21 manifestations. It has one of the best collections of ancient facemasks as well. Originally founded during the 11th century as a Kadampa establishment (remains of the monastery may be seen with the existing monastery founded in early15th century), it was converted to the Gelukspa order in the 15th century. It has about 100 resident lamas, with number of branches under it

Thiksey Gompa - 19 km South of Leh, on way to Hemis Monastery, its spectacular location and maintenance is a major source of attraction for the visitors. It provides a breath taking view of the Indus basin. Founded about 550 years ago, it is noted for its beautiful murals. It has approx. 100 resident lamas. It has chambers full of statues, stupas and thankas.

Hemis Gompa - Built in early 17th century with the patronage and active support of then Ladakhi ruler, King Sengge Namgyal, it commands respect and power throughout Ladakh region. Located 49 km South of Leh, it is biggest, the wealthiest and the most important of monastic establishments in Ladakh, with about 550 resident lamas. It is best known world- wide for its 2-day magnificent summer festival- Hemis Tse-chu.

Tak- Thok Gompa - It is built around a cave where Guru Padmasambhava, the founder of Tibetan Buddhism supposedly meditated. Founded around late 16th century, it houses approx. 40 resident lamas, who are considered experts in astrology of both Indian and Chinese origin. It is located 50 km Southeast of Leh on the way to Changla Pass and the famous Pangong Lake.

Alchi Gompa - This ancient centre of learning (65 km West of Leh, slightly off the Leh- Srinagar highway) is culturally the most valuable heritage site of Ladakh. Known as Alchi Choskor (Religious Enclave), the primary attraction of this monastery is the 11/12th century remarkably preserved murals. These murals are very different in style from the Tibetan influenced Buddhist art that prevails in the rest of the entire Himalayan region; reminiscent of Kashmiri style of Buddhist iconography.

Lamayuru Gompa - Located 120 km Northwest of Leh on Leh- Kargil- Srinagar Highway, it is the oldest surviving monastic foundation. It is originally believed to be a holy site for pre- Buddhist Bon religion. This place was said to have been chosen by a Kashmiri yogi, Naropa in the early 11th century. One of the features of visiting this monastery is to see the Naropa’s cave. A glass wall covers the mouth of the cave.

Ringdom Gompa ( Zanskar Valley) - It is situated almost halfway along the Kargil- Padum road, approx. 360 km from Leh, in the picturesque Suru Valley. Standing on a hilltop, it is 7-8 hours drive from Kargil. It was built in the 16th century and at present resident of 40 lamas. The walls are decorated with beautiful frescoes and the assembly hall stands the impressive statues of Buddha, Avalokiteshwara and Tsongkhapa.

Karsha Gompa ( Zanskar Valley) - It is the largest, the wealthiest and the most important monastery in the Zanskar Valley. It is 2- hour trek from Padum, the headquarters of Zanskar area. The monastery is picturesquely perched on a rock high above the Stod River and can be seen from the distance. Built in 15th century it has fine statues of Buddha, Shakyamuni, Tsongkhapa and Avalokiteshwara. The wall paintings are very attractive and depict life of Lord Buddha and number of Boddhistavas. It has a big library. On the way to the monastery one passes the Chamba Ling Temple which dates back to the 11th century.

Phuktal Gompa ( Zanskar Valley) - The imposing honeycomb like structure is a rare sight and is unmatched for sublime grandeur. It has been edged out of a composite mountain and has been set within a massive cave. It lies some distance Southeast of Padum (2-3 days trek), and about 6 km off the popular Padum- Darcha trail.

There are numerous other monastic establishments of repute. Notable among them are Stakna (23 km Southeast of Leh), Chemrey (47 km from Leh and close to Tak- Thok monastery), Matho (28 km Southeast of Leh), Tangtse (126 km East of Leh), Phyang (17 km West of Leh), Likir (60 km West of Leh) and Ridzong (Nunnery and 73 km West of Leh).

Drokpa Tribe :Aryan Legacy

Dah, Hanu, Biama are a group of villages nesting along the steep bank of Indus River, 160 km from Leh. These villages are home to an exclusive tribal community called ‘Brokpas/ Drokpas’, who are considered to be descendent of a lost Aryan tribe. Though Buddhist in religion, they are distinctly different, both racially and culturally from the other inhabitants of the region. They have preserved ancient traditions that resemble Bon-Chos, a pre-Buddhist religion.