Scouting the Ruins of Basgo Monastery in Ladakh

Getting close to Basgo Monastery in Leh

Pretty landscapes cruised past my window Causing my gasps to be caught in my throat. Then came those Basgo monastery ruins Replacing those gasps with a racing pulse – like an antidote. I stared at the pretty landscapes as our van tackled the curves to Alchi Monastery in Ladakh. My gasps at the stunning scenery … Read more

Deciphering the Royal Leh Palace, Ladakh

Ladakh Travel Guide: Keep Leh City as your main destination in Ladakh

Forced to flee, they had to abandon  Their highest royal abode in the hills. As time flew by, the Leh palace was forgotten And yet it stood tall – braving all of nature’s drills Most of us associate Ladakh with Buddhist monasteries, gushing streams, stunning landscapes and beautiful mountains. However, it has a fair bit … Read more

Bewitched by the 3 Idiots Lake – A Travel guide to Pangong Lake Ladakh

The famous 3 idiots lake aka Pangong Lake in Ladakh

[lmt-post-modified-info] The deep blue abruptly changed to bright red and then equally quickly became yellow.  The colorful canvas reflected the gorgeous brown and white mountains  Spellbound – I gazed on at the famous 3 idiots lake until finally … My stupor broke as the fluttering white beauties settled onto the perfectly still landscape Such is … Read more

Shey Monastery & Palace: The summer capital of the Ladakh

Beautiful views from the first level of Shey Gompa

Speeding away on the Leh-Manali road, my curiosity score kept going up. Whitewashed chortens dotted the green fields and lone wooden structures on the mountains made it obvious that this area used to be quite populated. A lone signboard is what doused some of my curiosity. However, it was my visit to Shey Monastery and … Read more

A Tale of the Last Aryans – Dah Hanu Villages in Ladakh

The plaits are typical of an Aryan woman

Long long ago, the Great King Alexander came to the Indus Valley to conquer it. From Indus to Beas, he spread his kingdom before turning back. He went home but left behind a few of his clansmen who settled in Ladakh. These men made this their home and lived a peaceful life in the Indus … Read more

The calming vibes of Lamayuru Monastery in Ladakh

The lone temple that remains at Lamayuru Monastery

If you are driving along the Leh-Srinagar highway or even if you are visiting Leh, one of the most recommended places to visit is the Lamayuru Monastery. Naturally, on our Ladakh Road trip, it became one of our major stops enroute from Kargil to Leh. The monastery is possibly the sanest thing that happened to … Read more

Where Colors merge – Confluence of Indus & Zanskar in Ladakh

Mesmerized by the colors of the Confluence of Indus and Zanskar

Colors are such mood-enhancers and I still don’t know anyone who does not love them. Especially when they are thrown in by nature. Watching a stunning sunset merge with the waters of an ocean or myriad colors of the flowers that dominate a valley – it is just mind-blowing. A few places where I enjoyed … Read more

Lost and Found – Alchi Monastery in Ladakh, India

The Chortens at Alchi Gompa

My first visit to Ladakh took me to the Lamayuru monastery – one they say is the oldest monastery in Ladakh. When this fact was shared during this visit, it also, sparked off an intense debate. Was it really the oldest or was Alchi Monastery the oldest? While Google settled Lamayuru as being the oldest, … Read more

The colors of the Naropa Festival in Ladakh

Musicians accompanying the relics as they go around the Naro Photang

If the vibrancy of Hemis Monastery left you enlightened with knowledge, it is time to experience the colors of a famed Buddhist Festival – the Naropa Festival that is celebrated here. In my last post, I left you with a glimpse of these colors. The huge Buddhist Thangka unfurled at the Kumbh Mela of Himalayas … Read more