INTRODUCTION

Leh is the headquarter of Leh District, and the largest town of the region. It is located to the north of the Indus River at an elevation of 3600m above the sea level. The town is dominated by the nine-storey Namgyal Palace and Namgyal Tsemo (victory peak), built by Tashi Namgyal on his victorious in reunification of the Upper and Lower Ladakh. Leh became the capital of Stod (upper Ladakh) during the reign of king Graspa Bum- Lde,who ruled Ladakh from 1400 to 1430 AD. In the later period, Leh became an important center for trade in Central Asia. Leh remained merely a headquarter of Ladakh district until 1974, when Ladakh was opened for foreign tourists. Since then period Leh became the centre for tourism related activities in the region.

SIGHTSEEING

Leh Palace
Leh Palace that rises from the edge of a hill overlooking the town and stretches out towards the indigo sky. Irrevocably reminiscent of a picture-postcard of Lhasa’s Potala Palace, this deserted edifice has a definite mystical quality about it.
The Palace was built in the middle of the 16th century by King Singe Namgyal and still belongs to the royal family that now lives in the Stok Palace. The nine-storeyed monument has gone to seed, so don’t visit the site expecting too much.

You might not be able to get in at all as the palace remains locked, unless of course you ask around and find a monk who can open it for you. The Palace has a museum with some tangkhas (painted or embroidered scrolls) and paintings amongst other things. The view from the monastery is quite impressive. Roosted above the Leh Palace is the Namgyal Tsemo Gompa (monastery). The enigmatic stark structure stands on a steep hill looming over the town. Built in 1430 by the Namgyal rulers, the red monastery has some frescos, Buddhist scriptures, idols and a massive statue of the Maitreya Buddha (future Buddha). The splendid view from the top alone is well worth the effort. The striking Shanti Stupa is a recent structure. A Japanese who harboured the ambition of spreading Buddhism across the world, had it constructed in 1985 with aid from the Japanese Government. The stupa is connected by a ‘motorable’ road and a steep flight of stairs. Once on top, you can stop for a snack in the tea shop, then relax and enjoy the panoramic view of the chain of mountains and the peaceful little village of Changspa with typical Ladakhi houses built along a gushing stream, and the towering Namgyal Tsemo in the distance. There is a rudimentary Sauna Spa not far from the Shanti Stupa in Changspa Village that offers a soft drink in the sauna! The striking green and white Leh Mosque in the Main Bazaar is also worth a visit. The mosque is open only to men. This is also a good place to find out about the possibility of doing voluntary work with various organizations. If interested, inquire at the reception centre or simply check the information board. Leh offers some delightful walks, especially around Changspa Village. Just take any of the cobbled lanes in the village and feel free to carry on as you please. It is impossible to get lost in this tiny village.

Leh Festival:
The Buddhists of Ladakh celebrate Losar as their new year. Before the rule of Jamiang Namgyal (1555-1610), this day was considered to be the first day of the Ladakhi Buddhist year, which is based on the moon and sun similar to that of the Hindus.

MONASTRIES LEH:
Located on the Leh-Srinagar highway, the Lamayuru Gompa dates back to the 10th century and is known to be the oldest house of faith in Ladakh. The monastery is also famous for being one of the most picturesquely-located monasteries in Ladakh. It belongs to the Kagyupa Order of Buddhism and is believed to have been wrecked and reconstructed several times. The monastery is home to some of the finest frescos, carpets and tangkhas (embroidered or painted scrolls) you’ll see in the region. The prayer ceremonies in the gompa should not be missed.