A DAY AT PANGONG TSO

It takes a pleasant 5 hour journey crossing the Chang la the third highest road to  Pangong Tso from Leh. At a height of over 14500 feet, tourists usually cover this in a day, but then it becomes only a photo op. Pangong means a long narrow enchanted lake, and it is truly enchanting.

To enjoy Pangong, one must allow it to soak  completely on . Its unbelievably beautiful, so much so,  today, I wonder was it really so.

Stay a day at the tents on the bank, walk along the lake, watch the interplay of the sun on the color of the lake and the naked mountains, wake up at dawn at 4.30 AM then continue the same routine.

Some Afternoon shots

The glow of setting sun on the mountains

Early morning sun on the tents along the river bank

Late morning pictures

The Hemis Monastery Festival

The Hemis Festival - The only festival to be celebrated in summer, and we almost missed it. The itinerary was to visit the Nubra Valley, and we were turned back from atop the Khardung la  due to heavy snow fall and without a moment of hesitation we drove down to Hemis.

The Monastery again situated in the Indus valley is among the largest and the festival amid snow fall was enchanting to say the least.

The festival unfolds with rhythmic beating of the musical instruments and a dance of young monks.

Later starts the slow rhythmic mask dance of individuals first and then in group of two or three. The mask itself interesting- some ferocious and some gentle

Finally culminating in a procession to the accompaniment of the musical instruments-A once in a life time opportunity.

Monasteries of Leh-II

Of the many Monasteries- Leh boast of,  the most popular ones on the tourist circuit are the Thiskey and Hemis, followed by Shey, Tsemo, Spiutik, Stakna, Stok.

The Tsemo Monastery almost in ruins over looks the Leh town. It sort of visible from most of the town is a delight to see in the evening sun.  Though one gets a different perceptive of this monument at various time of the day.

  

Shey - the old capital of Ladkah is a at a very short distance from Thiskey. The complex though much smaller, houses both the Palace and the the Monastery.  The beauty of this Monastery again is the nearly 40 feet statue of the Shakya Muni, covering three floors of the monastrery. Seen here is the top portion on the third floor. 

The Spituk Gompa - againg situated upon a Hillock overlooking the airport is unique in sense, it houses the statues of Kali Matha. Like any other monasteries, this too house many a statues, Paintings and ancient relics. Great to spend time.