Tuesday 26 July 2011
Friday 15 July 2011
The Himalayas
Through ages, the Himalayas have been revered by millions of Indians as the abode of the gods. The early ‘rishis’, referred to them as “the expanse of the two arms of the “Supreme Being”, suggestive of the whole world being locked in the Himalaya’s divine embrace. Ladakh, which means the ‘Land of High Passes’, is at the extreme northern end of India, in a area known as the TRANS HIMALAYAN REGION.
For nine months of the year, Ladakh is virtually cut off from the outside world. Situated in a high altitude desert, surrounded by almost impenetrable snow-capped mountains, the high passes do not open until mid-June, and the road link with the world becomes impassable again in September. Outside the short summer season, goods and visitors can only arrive by air. India’s military presence in the area now seems to dwarf the local population.
The same urge for isolation that led Irish monks to the Skelligs has filled the valleys around Leh with beautiful, brightly colourful monasteries. Monks are still drawn to these harsh areas, and Ladakh’s monasteries are thriving. A keen visitor could spend a month in the region and visit a different monastery every day. I thought two would be enough, but after visiting Hemis and Thikse, i wanted more. I ended up visiting Shey, Phyang, Sankar, Spitok and a few more around Leh City. The monasteries are spectacular, but it was their situations that really impressed. Thikse is perched precariously on a rocky hilltop, while Hemis surveys a valley with a dramatic backdrop of sandstone cliffs.
Hemis, being the most famous monastery has a lot of foreign believers and followers. I was surprised to see a lot of German and Israeli monks praying with the other monks. Thiksey on the other hand is very cultured. Maybe because it is still not modernized.
Today, 6th July, 2011, is the Dalai Lama’s birthday. I’m glad I am here. The whole city is decorated and a special event is being planned just off the Leh – Manali highway. I am also looking forward for the Hemis festival on the 9th, 10th and the 11th. There would be nothing better than being there during one of the biggest festivals of the Monastery.
I will be leaving for Khardungla pass (the highest motorable pass in the world) tomorrow and for Pangong Tso the day after.
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