Ladakhi Festival
This carnival presents the finest in Ladakhi
civilization and conventional sports like
archery and polo. Admittance to all proceedings
is free. The polo ground within Leh is the
center for the most part of activities. The
opening ceremony is a must see. Multicolored
parades begin the carnival. Groups in their
customary set of clothes arrive from each
division of the district. Some groups even
stand for particular arts, rather than areas.
The opening show at the polo ground is practically
a shortened adaptation of the whole celebrations.
Stok Palace
Lying at an elevation of 3600 meters in
the lower region of the massive valley of
Stok, this palace was built in the starting
of 19th century. It is the dwelling of the
Queen of Stok; who is also the queen of
Ladakh. The palace, which is more than 200
years old, is now transformed into a museum,
where superb compilations of the imperial
ancestors are on display. The museum also
displays fabulous period costumes and jewellery
of the royalty. Interesting historical objects
like coins, seals, armory, weapons, precious
jade and porcelain can also be found on
display.
Spituk Monastery
Within close distance to the Leh airport,
lays the Spituk monastery, which is about
1000 years old. It has 3 chapels, from the
uppermost, suspended on the pinnacle of
a mount; there are outstanding sights to
see over the Indus valley. One of the lower
chapels has some very fine wall paintings.
Shankar monastery
A little Gompa with only 20 monks, about
02 kilometers from Leh, is a subsidiary
monastery of Spituk. There is a fine painted
Mandala and a statue of Chanrazik with 1000
arms and 1000 hands and an eye on each hand.
The Shankar Gompa (monastery) is famous
for its numerous statues of pure gold and
a number of interesting paintings. Close
by are the Leh Palace and the cottage industries
emporium.
Shey Palace
Shey, was once the dwelling of the imperial
family and is renowned for its gilded statue
of Buddha that stands at a height of 7.5
meters. A visit to this monastery, though,
needs prior authorization from the Lama.
Hemis Monastery
This is the most prominent and perhaps the
most important of all the monasteries in
Ladakh. Every year, this Monastery forms
the scene of a great festival when Buddhists
come here from all parts of the sub-continent.
Alchi Gompa
At a distance of just 70 Kms from Leh on
the shores of Indus River, lies the Alchi
Gompa, which dates back to almost a thousand
years. One of its walls has miniature-sized
images of Buddha.
Lamayuru Monastery
This is the oldest consecrated place in
Ladakh. A long time ago, Lamayuru was a
lake. As per the past legends, the waters
of the lake receded into the mountains,
after a Lama's Tapasya, leaving enough space
for this monastery to be built.
Likir Monastery
This monastery dates back to the 18th century.
Grandly positioned, it commands a fabulous
sight. There is a statue of the Matreya
Buddha within the Likir Gompa. The Matreya
Buddha is the living form of Buddha ready
to arrive into the earth.
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