Leh Ladakh is the Northern most part of India located in Jammu and Kashmir. The scenic grandeur of entire Greater Himalayas is unmatched, but the mystical aura of the cold desert lends an ethereal charm to the rugged mountain ranges of Leh Ladakh. The varied topography encompassing towering mountains and undulating valleys have no comparison. The stillness of the barren brownish gray mountains gives a mystic charm to the environment that surpasses the visual splendor of the most enchanting landscapes. Here are some interesting facts about Leh Ladakh.
1. Ladakh is the highest settlement in India
The Suru and Zanskar valleys form a great trough enclosed by the Himalayas and the Zanskar Range. Rangdum is the highest inhabited region in the Suru valley, after which the valley rises to 4,400 m at Pensi-la, the gateway to Zanskar. The extreme limit of cultivation is at Korzok, on the Tso-moriri lake, at 4,600 m are widely considered to be the highest fields in the world.
2. The highest bridge in the world
A Bailey bridge between the Suru River and Dras River in Ladakh, India is the highest bridge in the world at an altitude of 5,602 metres above sea level. It was built in 1982 by the Indian Army.
3. The mystical Magnetic Hill
Magnet Hill is a so-called "gravity hill" located near Leh in Ladakh, India. The “Hill” is located on the Leh-Kargil-Srinagar national highway, about 30 km from Leh, at a height of 11,000 feet above sea level. The alignment of the road with the slope of the background can give the illusion that cars are able to drift upwards.
3. The Pangong Lake in Ladakh is one Of the Highest Salt Lakes in the world
Pangong Tso means “high grassland lake” in Tibetan language , also referred to as Pangong Lake, is an endorheic lake in the Himalayas situated at a height of about 4,350 m. During winter the lake freezes completely, despite being saline water.
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4. Gurdwara Pathar Sahib
It is a beautiful Gurudwara sahib constructed in the memory of Guru Nanak, about 25 miles away from Leh, on the Leh-Kargil road, 12000 ft above sea level. The Gurdwara was built in 1517 to commemorate the visit to the Ladakh region of Guru Nanak Dev, the founder Guru of the Sikh faith.
During his lifetime Guru Nanak travelled to many distant places and one such place was Tibet. Guru Nanak is well respected by Tibetan Buddhists who consider him a saint; The Dalai Lama, spiritual leader of Buddhists in Tibet, has confirmed this in his discussions with some Sikh leaders saying that Tibetans revere Guru Nanak as a Buddhist saint under the name of Guru Gompka Maharaj.
5. Only place in India where twin humped camels can be found
The Bactrian camel (two-humped) is a large, even-toed ungulate native. The Bactrian camel has two humps on its back, in contrast to the single-humped dromedary camel, they are rare compared to single hump camels. These camels are one of the main attraction of the Nubra valley in Ladakh.
6. Dry but still home to large variety of birds
Ladakh is a desert, but it is still over 225 species of birds such as finches, robins, redstarts and Hoopoe are found here in abundance. It never ceases to amaze the tourists who venture this far up that the region could retain so much of its natural beauty.
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7. Namgyal Tsemo Gompa
Constructed in 1430, this gompa has a rich collection of Buddhist art, ancient manuscripts, painted scrolls and wall paintings. Its special feature is the gilded image of Buddha, almost 3-storyes high. A little ahead of the monastery is a fort that allows you panoramic views of the Leh town. Open from: 7.00 am-9.00 am from prayers
8. The Famous Leh Fort
Built by Zorawar Singh, the Zorawar Fort contains three temples but is not open for public since it is located in the military camp area.
9. An important astronomy center
Due to its high altitude and clear skies, the region is popular as an important astronomy center. The Udaipur Solar Observatory and 2-Meter Himalayan Chandra Optical and Infrared Telescopes are some of the Indian Astronomy studying facilities that are situated in Ladakh.
10. Two-days Hemis Festival that takes place at the Hemis Monastery
This festival is celebrated to commemorate the birth of Guru Padmasambhava (founder of Tibetan Buddhism). Once every 12 years, the Monastery hosts the ritual unfurling of a giant Thangka (Buddhist religious mural) depicting Padmasambhava, which is richly embroidered with pearls and semi-precious stones. The highlight of the festival are the masked dances, called chhams performed by the lamas dressed in bright robes and elaborate head-gear, to the accompaniment of cymbals, drums and long horns.
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