LEH

Set against the dramatic backdrop of mighty snow-capped Himalayas, Leh town in the Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir, is a scenic cosmopolitan of Indian and international tourists, hard-core adventure enthusiasts and Buddhist pilgrims. It is said Guru Padmasambhava introduced Buddhism here sometime between the 7th and 8th centuries and it is a region where Tibetan Buddhism flourishes today. Among the many Buddhist sites in Leh, one of the most important is the Namgyal Tsemo gompa. Built in the 15th century, the site includes two small temples, one with an 8m-tall gold-faced Maitreya statue and the other with images of “protector deities”. It also contains ancient manuscripts and frescoes. Climb to the ruined fort above the gompa for one of the most spectacular viewsof Leh town. One of the most modest gompas in Ladakh, the Sankar gompa is located in the upper part of Leh. Belonging to the Gelukpa order, it has a beautiful impression of the Buddhist deity Avalokiteshvara Padmahari, with 1,000 arms and an equal number of heads. It's a serene place, where you will often find monks meditating. A more recent addition to Leh's Buddhist legacy is the brilliant white Shanti Stupa built by Japanese monks between 1983 and 1919. Set on a high ridge, the gigantic monument offers one of the most stunning views of Leh. Leh has an airport but the more adventurous way of arriving here is by road through high mountain passes from either Manali (562 km) or Srinagar, 421 km away.