 The Himalayan kingdom of Ladakh is one of the
most remote regions of India, and lies embedded in the mountain world of the Karakoram in
the north-west, the Himalayas in the south-west, and the Trans-Himalayas at its core. The
Indus, rising in the interior of the Tibet, flows through the centre of Ladakh, going
further on to the western part of Pakistan. Ladakh is a high-altitude desert and
temperatures, which can reach as low as -45 C in winter, are the most extreme here. The remote and inhospitable land of Ladakh has
always fascinated city-dwellers with its images of a stark and barren landscape juxtaposed
alongside lush green fields, monasteries precariously perched on mountain tops, and an
intriguing blend of cultures. Leh, the present capital of Ladakh, was once the central
meeting-point for trade caravans from Central Asia
and the plains of India. Religious ceremonies, monastic festivals, and oracles who have
the power to heal as well as divine are regular features of the Ladkhi landscape. Crafts
such as metal-work, painting, weaving, and wood-carving are widely found in the region;
archery and polo are the traditional sports there. One of the most visible features of
Ladakh's rich cultural heritage are its ancient monasteries. Most of these are built on
sheer cliffs and are still actively functioning. This is truly one of the last few places
where one can experience Tibetan Buddhism being practiced in its original form.
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