Ladakh

The Road to Enlightenment

Lofty mountains typically inspire men towards the spiritual and this is especially true of the mighty Himalayan range where Buddhist gompas or monasteries are a constant feature of the rugged landscape.The pictures here explore some of the oldest and most picturesque gompas in Ladakh, a stark high altitude desert located at the Northern tip of India.

Pilgrims toiling with heavy loads makes true the maxim that the road to enlightenment is not easy

Situated at 3350m Ladakh is buried deep inthe folds of the Himalayas and the Karakorams. Its other name is Little Tibet and it is a stronghold of Tibetan Buddhist culture. Nearly every village in this deeply religious land has its own monastery some of which date back hundreds of years and stand as huge staircases to heaven.Perched in aerie-like locations, these precious citadels of faith, continue to preserve centuries old rituals and traditions. They symbolise man's belief that the mountains are the Abode of Gods and here in these Himalayan Peaks Gods and mountains really meet!

The Mulbech Monasterystands as a beacon of faith on a rocky, barren road which leads from Kashmir into Ladakh. The monastery is built around a rock outcropping onto which the figure of Maitreya, the Buddha of the future has been sculpted.

The Shey Monastery perched on a knife edged ridge, the path to the monastery is dotted with stupas and shrines.


LAMAYARU GOMPA Altitude 3445m

This heart-stopping lamaseryLamayaru is like a tiny speck against Ladakh's almost phantasmagorical mountainscape. Its buildings sit atop a tower of rocks and blend into the sand-coloured cliffs above and below. In this setting the chants of lamas really seem to float up to the heavens.


The Thikse Gompa is a 16th century monastery perched on a hill high above the Indus. Its muti-structured buildings houses many rare thankas, wall paintings and gold icons.

The largest and most spectacular monastery in Ladakh is the Hemis Monastery situated in the south of Leh, the capital of Ladakh The monastery is part of the Bka Brgyudpa School of Tibetan Buddhism which is one of four major schools. Its open courtyard, against a backdrop of majestic mountains, is a fitting place for Dances with the Gods.

HEMIS FESTIVAL

Every year from July 9 to 11, devotees make a pilgrimage to the Hemis Fair which is celebrated with dances, religious ceremonies and exhibitions of sacred objects and thanka paintings.The faithful attending the Fair come from all over Ladakh as well as from all over the world.

COMMENCEMENT OF THE TANTRIC DANCES

The dancers garbed in elaborate robes, black hats and copper masks, carry hand drums and bells while melodiously chanting mantras. The dances are ritualistic and symbolic, reflecting the lives of various gurus and Holy Teachers. It is believed people who attend these ceremonies will obtain spiritual merit, long life, wealth, happiness, courage and dignity.