New Delhi: The spectacular arid mountains with their magical Gompas make Ladakh, India's beautiful little Tibet.Nestled in the Himalayas on the border of Tibet and Kashmir, Ladakh has been right on the Line of Control demarcating Jammu and Kashmir from Pak Occupied Kashmir. Ladakh is known for its breathtaking passes, particularly the Khardung La pass, the highest moutainous pass on earth. For the last 20 years, Ladakh has become a major center for tourism.The main town of Leh is the main abode of Buddhism. Majority in Leh are Tibetan Buddhists and 30 to 40 per cent people here are Muslims. Tibetan culture can be experienced in the small town of Leh. Let's explore this cold desert of India: 1. The Kushok Bakula Rimpochhe Terminal The airport in Ladakh which is the highest airports in the world at 3,256 metres. It was named after the 19th Venerable Kushok Bakula Rinpoche (21 May 1917 – 4 November 2003), who was a great statesman for Ladakh and India. 2. Choglamsar Choglamsar is a refugee colony on the outskirts of Leh in Ladakh. The place is a showpiece for culture and history of Tibet. The big celebrations and festivities take place in this town. 3. The traditional Ladakhi dance looks lively and colourful. Before each performance would begin, the dancers pay respect to the Dalai Lama, then the Venerable Bakula Rinpoche. 4. Changspa roadA tourist colony, it supports various guest houses, internet cafes, hotels. 5. Spituk Monastery One of the oldest monastery/Gompa of Ladakh as it was consecrated in the 11th century during the time of Rinchen Zangpo and Yeshe O. It was originally a Kadam-pa monastery until the 15th century when two of Tsongkhapa's emissaries came to Ladakh and took over.The monastery has 100 monks and a big statue of kali which is revealed during Spitok festival. 6. Leh is a paradise for bikers. Royal Enfield can be hired on rent to experience the real rugged terrain of the cold desert. 7. The Spituk monastery has a number of chambers for the monks. The monks make a special type of floor design called mandala for special occasion. These are made from colored sand by applying the sand into funnel type tools. 8. Chemrey monastery The monastery located on a stunning height on a hill top is a 1664 monastery. It belongs to the Drugpa monastic order and was founded by the Lama Tagsang Raschen and dedicated to King Sengge Namgyal. The highlight of the monastery is its Padmasambhava statue, the Second Buddha. 9. Thikse Monastery The largest Gompa of Ladakh, the monastery is famous due to its resemblance to the Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet.Hence, Thikse is nicknamed ‘Mini Potala'. The highlight of this monastery is the golden statue of the Maitreya where it is 2 storey high. This statue was a way to commemorate the Dalai Lama's visit to the monastery in 1970. 10. Khardung La The highest motorable road in the world- Khardung La Pass at 5602m has remarkable views of the mountains, valleys and rock formations
