| Voice of Leh (Ladakh)
: Namgyal
The key challenges of Ladakh District are bad conditions of roads
and equally bad telecommunication facilities.
Leh (Ladakh)
District
Area, Population & Sex Ratio
Analysis Geographical Area : 45110.0 Km2
Population in Leh (Census 2011)
Total Population
Total : 147104
Male : 92907
Female : 54197
Under 6 population
Total : 11816
Male : 6079
Female : 5737
Disabled population
Total disabled population : 2717
In seeing : 1465
In speech : 193
In hearing : 286
In movement : 577
Mental : 196
Rank ( VoiceOfBharat.org Analysis
)
Backwardness : Does not figure in list of 447 backward
districts
Sex Ratio Rank : 12
(Rank one is least sex ratio - Cenus 2001)
HIV Category District : D
(HIV Sentinel Surveillance 2004 -2006)
Disability : 555 (Census 2001)
Literacy Ratio : 281 (Census 2001)
Minority : Yes
Brief About Leh (Ladakh) District
LADAKH is situated between 30 degree to 36 degree east latitude
and 76 degree to 79 degree north longitude. The region of Ladakh
spread over to an area of 96,701 Sq.Kms and comprising a population
of 2 Lakhs habitants and consists of two districts,Leh and Kargil.
The region of Ladakh normally remains land locked between November
to June every year as Srinagar-Ladakh and Ladakh-Monali highways,which
connect Ladakh with the other parts of the country, remain closed
during this period because of snow and rigorous winter.Ladakh is
also the land of many lakes and springs. Among the springs,the famous
are the sulphar springs of Panamic (Nobra), Chumathang and Puga
of Changthang,which are famous for early curing of joints/ rheumatic
diseases.Many mineral springs are also found in some remote parts
of Ladakh. People of region use the spring water as medicine to
prevent and cure themselves from many diseases.The important lakes
which fall within the jurisdiction of Ladakh are Pangong lake (150
Kms.long,4 Kms.wide situated at a height of 14,000 ft.).Tsomoriri
lake, (Tsokar means salty lake). Since ancient times till the end
of 1959 salt was being extricated from this particular salty lake
for human consumption.Ladakh has two districts namely Leh and Kargil
which stand in contrast with each other in terms of geography and
climate. The great Himalaya mountain, lying to the south ,forms
a barrier to monsoon in this area.Due to this region Ladakh is an
isolated cold desert region. Altitude in Ladakh varies from place
to place and is the main factor affecting local climate. The winter
temp.touches as low as minus 30 degree(Leh & Kargil) and minus
60 degree in (Drass) subzero temp.prevails from December to February
throughout Ladakh, whereas,zero degree temp.is experienced during
rest of winter months.This result in freezing of all conceivable
water resources. During summer the maximum temp.increases from 20
degree C to 38 degree C in July and August. The relative humidity
is low and ranges from 31 to 64 percent.Wind velocity in the afternoon
and nights is of high order resulting in heavy soil errosion with
dust storm and snow blizzards which make life very difficult.Due
to longer winters, the agriculture season is short and spread over
from April to September depending upon the climate.The main river
of Ladakh is Indus,which flows in a north-west direction between
Ladakh and Zanskar ranges.It is joined by several major rivers like
Zanskar,Suru and Shayok before it reaches Pakistan.
Historical Places and Monuments
The most attractive features of the landscape of
Leh are the Buddhist Gompas (monoasteries).The Gompas are situated
on the highest points of the mountain spurs or sprawl over cliffsides,located
in vicinity of villages and provide focus for the faith of Buddhists.The
famous religious places include:-
Hemis
Situated 40 Kms.from Leh,Hemis is the wealthiest,best
known and biggest gompa of Ladakh.The annual festival of the gompa
is held in summer in honour of Guru Padma Sambhav's birth anniversary.
It also has the largest thanka(scroll painting on silk or brocade)
in Ladakh which is unfurled once in 12 years.Hemis was built in
1630 A.D.during the reign of Sengge Namgyal and flourished under
the Namgyal dynasty.
Alchi
The gompa is situated on the banks of the Indus,70
Kms from Leh and dates a thousand years back.The gompa os no longer
an active religious centre and is looked after by monks from the
Likir monastery.
Spituk
The gompa stands prominently on the top of a hillock,8
Kms.from Leh,and commands a panaoramic view of the Indus Valley
for miles.Many icons of Buddha and five thankas are found in 15th
century monastery.There is also a collection of ancient masks,antique
arms,and an awe inspiring image of Mahakal.
Phyang
The monastery is situated 17 Kms.from Leh on the
Leh-Kargil road.It was built by Tashi Namgyal in the later half
of the 16th century A.D.and looks like a place from a distance.The
gompa belongs to the Red Cap sect of the Buddhists. Hundreds of
icons of Budha are kept on wooden shelves.
Shey
15 Kms upstream from Leh.The palace is belived
to have been the seat of power of the pre-Tibetan kings.A 7.5 metre
high copper statue of Buddha,plated with gold,and the largest of
its kind,is installed in the palace.
Thikse
The Thikse monastery is spectacularly situated
19 Kms from Leh.It is one of the largest and architecturally most
impressive gompas.The gompa has images,stupas and wall paintings
of Buddha which are exquisite.
Jama Mashid
The historical mosque is situated in the heart
of Leh town.It was built in 1666-67 A.D.consequent to an agreement
between the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb and then ruler of Ladakh,Deldan
Namgyal.
Leh Palace
The palace is a distinguished monument and a historical
building.The nine- storeyed palace was built by the 17th century
illustrious ruler of Ladakh Sengge Namgyal.
Tourist Places
Leh is having a airport which connects it to the
rest of the country. Besides this there is regular bus service from
Srinagar which operates during summer when the Zojila Pass remains
open for traffic. One can also get there in Taxis and Jeeps via
The Srinagar-Leh Highway or the Manali-Leh Highway. Leh offers a
variety of accomodation to suit almost every pocket or preference
The areas of tourist interest are varied and many. Some of them
are as follows:
Cultural Tourism
Visits to the major Buddhist Monastries and other
cultural or heritage sites are the principal tourist attractions
of central Ladakh and Zanaskar. Most of the region's principal Gompas
are open throughout the day and a caretaker Lama is available to
show visitors around. Some of the less visited establishments have
special opening hours , as in the case of Namgyal Tsemo, Shey Palace,
and the Stok Palace Museum.Most of the monstries charge a small
enterance fee. The monastries constitute the fountain head of Ladakh's
Buddhist religion and culture.
Fairs and Festivals of Ladakh also attract a large
number of Tourists. Many of the annual festivals of Gumpas take
place in winter as it is a relatively idle time. The dance dramas
take place in the court yards of Gumpas and Lamas wearing colourful
robes and startling masks perform mimes representing various heads
of the religion. The biggest and the most famous monastic festivals
is of Hemis which falls in late June-July and is dedicated to Padam
Sambhava. Other festivals held in summer are of Lama-Yuru, in early
July, Phiyang in late July, Tak-Thok after Phiyang and Karsha in
Zanskar after Phiyang. Spituk, Stoke, Thiksey, Chemreay and Matho
have their festivals in winter.
Adventure Tourism
Ladakh offers great scope for adventure activities
amidst landscapes of breathtaking beauty . The most popular and
established among these are trekking,mountaineering, and river rafting.
Trekking
Trekking includes short day long walks up and down
mountain slopes to visit isolated villages or monastic settlements
or across the ridge to enjoy landscape. Or long transmountain treks
involving weeks of walking and camping in the wilderness. The most
popular treks are:
Lamayuru in the Indus Valley to Darcha in the Lahoul
across Zanaskar takes nearly 3 weeks.
The 10 day Markha valley trek and the 11 day Lamayuru-Padam
trek and Stok Kangri round trek arer the most popular among the
numerous options available.
Perhaps the most exciting trek in the world is
Hemis-Markha-Padum Trek for 13 days and this calls for elaborate
arrangements.
Various New Areas have also been opened in forms
of circuits . The maximum time allowed on these circuits is 7 days
and foreign groups are allowed to go only in groups and accompanied
by a recognized tour operator. The detailed information regarding
going to these circuits can be had from the offices of J & K
Tourism located across the country. These circuits are:
The DROK-PA area circuit: Khaltase-Domkhar-Skurbuchan-Achinathang-Hanudo-Biama-Dah
and return.
The Nubra Valley Circuits: Leh-Khardungla-Khalsar-Tirit-Tegar-Sumur-Panamik
and return. Leh-Khardungla-Khalsar-Deskit-Hundar and return.
The Pangong Lake circuit : Leh-Karu-Changla-Durbuk-Tangse-Lukung-Spangmik
and return.
Tso-moriri lake Circuits : Leh-Upshi-Debring-Puga-Tso-moriri-Korzok
and return , Leh-Upshi- Chumathang-Mahe-Puga-Tso- moriri- Korzok
and return
Depending upon the time and budget you can afford,
ask the Tourist offices at Leh, Kargil or Padum to design a trekking
prgramme for you.
River Rafting
A range of rafting options are available on the
Indus and its major tributaries. The best stretch for the professionally
guided runs in white water is on the Indus between Spituk and Saspol.Beyond
Saspol river becomes difficult. The most difficult and exciting
option for river running is on the Zanskar along its spectacular
course through the Gorge in the Zanskar mountains between Padam
and Nimo.
Mountain Climbing
The area most frequented by tourists is the Nun-Kun
Massif in the great Himalayan range and is easily accesible from
Kargil-Padum road. he area nearest to Leh is the Stok-Khangri Massif
in the Zanskar mountains, south of Leh. North of Leh, across the
Ladakh Range and the Nubra Valley, lies the Karakoram range. The
climbing season extends from mid-May to mid-October, the ideal period
being from June to September.
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