Why visit Ladakh
- The highest inhabited region in India
- Khardung La - highest motorable pass in the world
The flight to the principal town of Ladakh, Leh, is an experience in itself, as one flies over the dramatic expanse of the Himalayas. The most attractive feature of the landscape of Ladakh are the Buddhist monasteries situated on isolated hillocks in the vicinity of villages, these aesthetically pleasing, architecturally interesting monasteries provide the focus for the faith of the highly religious Buddhist people. Monasteries have a wealth of artifacts, 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 and Spituk monasteries make them suitable for visits where time is at a premium. The religious philosophy of Buddhism, however, profound and subtle doesn't preclude an immense joie-de-vivre among its Ladakh adherents, and even solemn religious enactments are made the occasion for joyous celebration. The dance dramas performed at the annual monastery festivals are vibrant expressions of age old cultural and religious values. The events are attended by high lamas and novice monks in their ceremonial robes a well as by the locals dressed in splendid traditional costumes. The biggest and most famous of the monastic festivals is that of Hemis, which falls in late June or the first half of July, and is dedicated to Padmasambhava. A unique feature of this festival is the 12 yearly unveiling of the monastery's greatest treasure - an enormous, three storey high thangka of Padmasambhava embroidered and studded with pearls and semi precious stones. The thangka was last unveiled in 2004.
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