| 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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