 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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