Mysterious dust – covered Leh sits in a fertile side valley of the Indus, about 10 kilometers from the river .Encircled by stark awe-inspiring mountain with the cold desert beyond, it is the nearest experience of Tibet in India.
The old place sits precariously on the hill to the north and looms over leh. Divide main bazaar street, which once accommodated caravans, with old and gates at each end as a colorful vegetable market where remarkably unpushy ladakhi women sell local produce on the street side while they knit or chat. Make shift craft and jewellary stalls line parts of fort road to the east to attract summer visitors along with kashmiri shop keepers who have come in search of greener pastures. The old village, mainly to the east of the main street, with its maze of narrow lines, sits on the hill side below the palace and is worth exploring.
SIGHTS
Leh Palace
Built in the mid of 16th century by King Singe Namgyal, this palace is a distinguished monument and a historical building and is still owned by the royal family. This palace has nine storeys. One part of the palace is occupied by the museum. It is an imposing structure, though in ruins now, situated on a hill and commands a grand view of the Leh town. The building in grand Tibetan architecture is said to have inspired the famous Potala of Lhasa, built half a century later.
The Tsemo Gompa
The Tsemo Gompa (tsemo - Red) is situated at the north of the city. The left side of its entrance has the portrait of Tashi Namgyal. It has a colossal 2-storey high image of Maitreya, flanked by Avalokitesvara and Manjusri figures.
Soma Gompa
The new Soma Gompa is in the main street of the old village. It was built in 1957 to commemorate the 2,500th anniversary of the birth of Buddha
Hemis Gompa
Hemis Gompa is located at a distance of 40 km south of Leh, along a road crossing the Indus. Among the innumerable thankas (paintings on cloth), there is one which is supposed to be the biggest of its kind in existence. The exposition of this tankhas takes place once in eleven years. Every year, in June, a fair (' Mela of Hemis Gompa') takes place at Hemis which is a colourful occasion for the mask dances.
Tiksey
About 25km south of Leh, Tiksey is considered as one of the most imposing monastery in Ladakh. It is a 12-storey monastery painted in red and white and ochre. It has 10 temples surrounded by typical tapering walls. The complex contains numerous stupas, wall paintings, tankas, statues, large pillar engraved with Buddha teachings and swords. The interior of new temple dominated by a giant 15 meters high Buddha figure.
IMPORTANT FACTS
Accessibility
By Air Leh airport has Direct flights to Delhi, Srinagar and Jammu.
By Road Manali -Leh Highway opens to traffic between mid June and November.
STD Code 01982
Altitude 3500 M
Climate Summer max. 25O c min. 10O c Winter max. -3O c and min -14 0O c.
Best season July - Sep
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