Beauty has always prevailed in the highest of mountains,
deepest of oceans and profoundness of forest. However, to find it in the most
challenging surrounding will surely cast a magical spell on you. I realized
this while navigating through the rugged terrains of Ladakh. Sitting at a
height of 9,800 feet, Ladakh has always been the most neglected touristic
destination until the emergence of the new-aged filmmakers who chose to put its
sturdy landscape as the backdrop of their films. As soon as I landed in Leh I
made my way to Mahey Retreat where I stayed for the first three days. To
acclimatize with the high altitude surrounding I was recommended to take two
days of complete rest before kickstarting my unique excursion in the 'Land of
High Passes'.
Leh became the first destination to unleash my inquisitiveness
for this beautiful kingdom. Dotted with ancient monasteries Leh is one of the
few places on this planet where the centuries-old Tibetian Buddhism is in
practice. While cruising through its rugged landscape I got the opportunity to
unveil the mysticism ringed around Thicksay Monastery. Built in the fifteenth
century, Thicksay Monastery came into existence with the purpose of spreading
the new school of thoughts of Tibetian Buddhism. Located on a hilly slope, the
monastery is considered to be one of the largest structures in Ladakh. While
traversing through the place I came across a beautiful painting portraying the
Tibetian Calendar with Bhavachakra- the wheel of life. The wheel is the
embodiment of ignorance, attachment, and aversion which is beautifully
represented through bird, snake, and pig. The idea behind this depiction is to
tell us that we must banish the worldly affairs in order to break the circle of
life and death and achieve enlightenment. Thirty minutes from Thicksey
Monastery lies yet another ancient monastery I had the fortune to visit.
Believed to be the oldest of all the monasteries located in Ladakh, Hemis is
one of the wealthiest and important monasteries in Ladakh. Stand concealed
inside the gorge of Indus river, the monastery was erected by the Drukpa Lineage
in the sixteenth century. The place is an architectural marvel adorned with
unique patterns, paintings and frescos, and a huge Shakyamuni Buddha. It is
inexplicable to describe the reverberations one feels while listening to the
Buddhist hymns in the monastery.
If the monasteries unravel the deep secrets of spirituality
and mysticism, the natural wonders of Ladakh can bewitch you through its
unadulterated beauty. Pangong Tso is one such wonder I managed to cover during
my Ladakh Trip. Perched at a height of 4,250 meters, Pangong Tso or Pangong
Lake is the highest grassland lake on this planet. Gazing at its crystal clear
water emitting turquoise shades despite its rough route is enough to leave a
lasting memory on one's mind. Extending from India to Tibet (now part of
China), The awe-inspiring beauty of Pangong lake is heightened by the vast
barren area attracting tourists from all corners to witness its captivating
charm.
Nubra Valley is an oasis in the land of this cold desert.
Exuding with the serenity of Himalayas and Karakoram ranges, the place used to
be a significant passage for the famous Silk Route but today it is popular for
offering several eventful treks. While traversing through Nubra Valley, I was
immersed in the glory of this elegant land blooming with Himalayan flowers and
a small portion of arable land. I also got the opportunity to closely view the
humble village life thriving in the region.
Although Ladakh is the coldest place on this planet, it has
the ability to kindle love and churn a whirlpool of magic on me through its
mystical structures and unsullied landscape.
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