Ladakh a Hidden Paradise for Buddhist

Tourism Minister, Ghulam Ahamad Mir said, that the government of Jammu and Kashmir has submitted a meticulous project of US$25.3 million (INR150 crore) to the Centre to promote tourism in all three regions of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh. The state government was also planning to restore the existing monasteries in the region, appoint landscaping

experts, establish tourism centres as well as provide basic road transportation in the region.

Ahmad Mir also said, “The government has put forward the detailed project report of the plans to the Centre that we want to implement in Ladakh to assist tourism circuit in three regions, Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh.”

The tourism of this place offers you the prospect to trek in a cold desert, snuggled in the arid region of Himalayas with wide river valleys on whose fertile soil vegetation and villages have sprung up with its ancient culture. Ladakh is considered as the most important place for the Buddhist religion. There are a number of important monasteries located in this region. Several tour packages will take you to Alchi monastery which is located in the remote corner of Ladakh, which is a home to rare manuscripts and ancient painting culture. At present, Alchi monastery is probably the most significant Buddhist site in Ladakh.

The tour generally ends in a parking area where souvenir shops are located and there is also a centuries old tree, which is considered to be a sacred tree. As for the myth of the local inhabitants of Ladakh, the tree has grown from the walking stick of Lotsava Rinchen Zango. He was the translator of many Indian Buddhist texts into Tibetan and founded Alchi Gompa in 10^th century.

Alchi Gompa is surrounded by a wall with small prayer wheels. Rinchen Zango, the fonder this monastery, brought sculptors and wood carvers from Kashmir in order to work on the establishment of Alchi Gompa. The wall paintings of this holy monument are some of the oldest surviving paintings in Ladakh which are painted with semi precious stones. These paintings are considered to be one of the exquisite and most well-known examples of Buddhist art in Ladakh.

Another significant monastery of Ladakh is Thiksey monastery, which is at times referred as “Mini Potala” because of its resemblance to the Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet. This monastery is the largest one in central Ladakh. This monastery is a 12 stored monument which houses many items of Buddhist art such as stupas, statues, thangkas, wall paintings and swords. The floors of this monastery is arranged in an ascending order of significance and are well spaced, from the ground of the monastery, the dwelling units to the top of the hill enshrining the potang (official residence) of the chief Lama.

The best time to visit Ladakh is during the month of June, during which Hemis Festival is held. It is the period when the entire local people of Ladakh come together to celebrate the rare festivities. During the festival time you will find many things to amuse yourself, from the archery competitions to polo and open air parties with dance and songs. Shops are also filled with amusing traditional handicrafts which will provide you to buy some exclusive items of your interest. A tour to Ladakh is full of surprises as the valley offers you much more than your expectation.