Ladakh: The Mystic Land and It's People

THE LAND - La-Tags- ‘The land of High Mountain Passes’ is known as ‘The Last Shangrila’ the mythological heaven of the Buddhist faith and ‘The Broken Moonland’ due to the landscape it presents. It is also known as ‘Little Tibet’ due to its social, religious, cultural and geographical similarities with Tibet. Stretching like a lunar landscape between the Karakoram, Zanskar and the Ladakh Ranges of the Great Himalayas, this high altitude inhabited place (average altitude at which habitation exists in the region is 3500m) has a compelling charm and beauty of its own that draws thousands of visitors from all over the world.

THE PEOPLE - Racially, the people the region appears to be of different ethnic stock. Their physical features resemble to those in Tibet and central Asia. Originally the population might have been Dards, an Indo- Aryan race down from the Indus and Gilgit area. Immigration from Tibet perhaps a millennium or so ago, largely overwhelmed the culture of the Dards and obliterated their racial characteristics. In Eastern and Central Ladakh, today’s population seems to be mostly of Tibetan origin. Further West in Kargil suggests a mixed origin. There is a cluster of villages in Central Ladakh, inhibited by ‘Drokpa” tribe, considered to be descendent of a lost Aryan tribe.

THE RELIGION - Ladakh was conduit through which Buddhism reached Tibet from India. In the process it got deeply entrenched into the region from the very beginning. There are ancient Buddhist rock engravings all over the region even in the Muslim dominated region of Kargil. This also manifest in numerous ancient monasteries found in the region. These monastic establishments are the very essences of Ladakhi culture and hold invaluable and immemorable treasures. Other religious structures are Chortens and Mani walls a common sight all over Ladakh. Chortens are small stupas that contain the ashes of Lamas or other religious important personages. They can be seen in abundance on the outskirts of monasteries, villages and other important landmarks. It is believed that chortens ward evil spirits. Mani walls that are some two metres high, 1-10 metre wide and 5-100 metre long, have flat stones with ‘Om Mani Padmi Hum’ inscribed on them. These monasteries and other cultural and heritage sites principal tourist attraction of the region.

THE CULTURE - Despite the rugged terrain and difficult climatic conditions, the people of Ladakh exhibit a natural joie de vivre and warm disposition. Their customs and lifestyle are a continuum from the past and the cultural traditions are vibrantly alive and colourful.

PAST HISTORY - For close to 900 years from the middle of 10th century, Ladakh was an independent kingdom, its dynasties descending from the king of old Tibet. Its political fortunes ebbed and flowed over the centuries. Considered the ‘Golden Period’, the kingdom was at its greatest in the early 17th century under the rule of King Sengge Namgyal. His rule extended far and wide much beyond the present geographical boundary of Ladakh.

For all its seeming inaccessibility due to its geographical location, Ladakh’s position at the centre of a network of trade routes kept it in constant touch with the outside world, through numerous trade routes from Tibet and other central Asian countries.

WILDLIFE - Ladakh is very rich in flora and fauna. Kyang, the Tibetan wild ass is found in abundance. Other rare species are the wild yak, snow leapord and black-necked Siberian cranes.The Changthang plateau and Markha- Rupshu Valleys are rich in wildlife.

Festivals of Ladakh

Among the many social and cultural events of Ladakh, the annual festivals held in the Buddhist monasteries constitute the most important part of the region’s living heritage and focus of festivities. These monastic festivals are brilliant spectacles of colour, of song and dance that revitalise the spirit of the people. The Hemis Festival celebrated around June is the best-known festival and hence major attraction for the tourists. Every 12th year, in the Tibetan Year of the Monkey, a two storeyed high thanka, beautifully embroidered with pearls and semi precious stones of Padmasambhava, the founder of Tibetan Buddhism is ritually exhibited during the festival.

There are cultural festivals too. Summer archery festivals are held in many villages as per local traditions. The 15-day Ladakh Festival held every year from 01 Sept to15 Sept is a major event sponsored by the State Govt., to show case the rich cultural heritage of Ladakh. A 3-day Sindhu Darshan Festival sponsored by the Ministry, Govt. of India to show case the historical and cultural importance of Indus River is held in June every year.

Important Festivals of Ladakh