Ladakh is a cold desert with the contrasts of
freezing winds and burning hot sunlight. Formed only a few million
years ago, this relatively young land is surrounded by the Great
Himalayas on one side and the Karokaram on the other. A dry area,
Ladakh region receives little rain and is totally opposite from the
green landscape of the major parts of the Himalayas. Once covered by
an extensive lake system, Ladakh has the winter snowfall as its main
source of water. Ladakh, covering an area of 59,000 sq km, is made
up of two administrative districts, Leh and Kargil. Leh is the chief
town. The population of Ladakh is dominated by the Lamaist
Buddhists. It is one of the most picturesque and beautiful places in
India.
Ladakh, now a part of the state of Jammu and Kashmir, was once a
part of the former Kingdom of Ladakh. For almost 900 years, starting
from the middle of the 10th century, Ladakh existed as an
independent kingdom. The year 1531 saw continuous attacks by the
Muslims from Kashmir that continued till the mid 19th century, when
it was finally seized. The Indo-Aryan Mons from across the Himalayan
range, the Darads from the extreme western Himalayas, and the
itinerant nomads from the Tibetan highlands also form the early
colonizers of Ladakh. Today, Ladakh has some of its areas under the
illegal occupation of Pakistan and China.
Because of association with Kashmir, Kishtwar and Kulu, Ladakh
valley adopted various ethnic and cultural traditions radiating from
across the Great Himalayan range. Tourism in Ladakh is not just
about picturesque views of the valley with the snow-capped peaks
forming the backdrop. Rather, it is also about culture of Ladakhi
people and their will to live cheerfully even in one of the most
inhospitable terrains in the world. The fascinating Buddhist
monasteries of the region revive the centuries old legacy of Ladakh.
Then, there are numerous fairs and festivals in the valley that take
you close to the people of Ladakh and their heritage. For those
loving adventure, there are a number of sports in the valley that
will excite you and also bring you closer to the nature. All in all,
Ladakh has some thing to offer to everyone, be it wildlife lover or
adventure enthusiast or culturally inclined or an admirer of natural
beauty. Come and explore the exotic land of Ladakh!
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