Shanti Stupa, Leh
I have been going to India a lot lately, mostly for business, which is funny, because although I am from there, I have never done business dealing over there until last 2 years. This is quite a challenging experience, and these long trip away from my home in Houston is rather challenging for myself and my young family. The perks of these trips are always travel over the weekends while in India. I was in New Delhi over last September for 2 + weeks and was able to take one of the weekends off to travel to Leh, Ladakh.
Leh is a just 2 hours flight out of New Delhi. At that time, which is a shoulder season, there were 3 flight in the afternoon from New Delhi, all by Indi Go. They all go there and come back. I have never been to Leh before, and I understood it is remote, but I never had a proper idea how remote it actually is, even in summer.
When the high himalayan passes are open in the summer, Leh is 420 KM from Srinagar, the nearest big city to the NW, and 429 KM from Manali, the nearest big town to the SW. None of these places are 'big' by any standards. Also please do not trust google on this, there is no way you can get from Manali to Leh is a day by road, as you have to cross 4 major high altitude passes all above 16000 ft! It is basically two days drive in either direction, and two very long and rough days, if you are lucky. So flying is more efficient. In the winter, both roads are closed for 4 + months, and Leh is completely isolated at that time.
So with that said, is it worth going? Absolutely. I have never seen anything like it before. The town is at the back of the Indus River. Where it gets water it is nice and green. Like the picture above or the picture below, taken from the airplane:
But away from the water source or irrigation it is basically desert. The city/town is grey/dull yellow and dry, but it is becautiful at ground level.
Here is the rest of the town from the top of the Leh Palace. It is the formal Royal Palace, now converted to a museum, which towers of the town from the edge of a cliff. Here it is from a distance near sunset.
Here it is upclose, and well lit at night.
The picture of the city was taken from the top floot of the palace at daytime of course. Leh palace is spectacular and imposing, but that was not my favority spot at Leh. It was Shanti Stupa, at the other end of the town, again on top of a cliff.
And here it is up close and personal. It is built fairly recent, only in 1991, so it is nothing like Leh Palace, which was constructed in the 1600s; but the Shanti Stupa give you a sense of peace and calm when you get there and stay. The word 'shanti' means peace, in Sanskrit. On that even when I was visiting they were preparing for an open air prayer. I am told it was live streamed, but I haven't been able to track it down on YouTube. At an altitude of 11841 ft, it was chilly in the evening, and the Buddist prayer song of Om, Mani Padme Hum; made the atmosphere peaceful and somber. I spent about 2 hours there just sitting and absorbing the view of the Indua river valley below, until I felt cold and hungry and left for the town before for a dinner.
I think I will have to bring my kids here soonish, as I am sure they will love it.
I know people who think travel for work is the best thing ever, mostly people who have never done it. The reality is that it can be difficult to be away from loved ones, lonely and a little deflating. Of course, there’s benefits also, like getting to take a look around when not working, meeting new people and other such things. I guess it comes down to the individual to balance out the pros and cons.
Your photos make this area look interesting, and there’s something appealing about the contrast of the wetter/green areas in juxtaposition with the drier/desert areas.
A family trip there would be a good thing for you all.
I am a Geologist. Travel is in my blood :)
This is the mighty Indus River. The cradle of civilization!
Yeah, I know it's something you've done for a long time. I love travel myself, work travel not as much as personal; how much I enjoy it depends on many factors, not least of which is the location.
Great snap mate, nice location!
I couldn't think of a more special place to go. I've always wanted to go to Leh, but got caught up in the pandemic, so couldn't go further than Delhi basically. I'd definitely go toward the shanti stupa as well - what a beautiful place to spend some time. I visited a lot of the stupa in Myanmar which were incredibly beautiful and peaceful.
For some reason, I didn't know you were from India. Learn something new every day! Thanks for sharing this - it gave me a new desire to go back to India, even though I was jsut complaining to @steemflow about the noise, haha!
@riverflows as far as i know he is from eastern India..... India is noisy but in middle of all that it is a completelly different place.... we are habitual now...even many of the hill station too getting overcrowded creating nuissance ...
Yes I am from Calcutta. I still use the British spelling of the City when I write in English.
Even Leh is getting overcrowded. I missed the crowd because it is shoulder season.
I know..arent you mising those the sweets???
I m not too far away, back to my native few years ago... you neighbouring state.
We get a lot of it here in Houston. It is not as good but passable these days. So don't really miss that much. Plus lately going to India 3-4 times a year. Too much travel!
I see......👍👍 it is good , work allow u to stay connected with the roots 🙂
That's a real shame. I can't wait to go back though. I love your country so much. You are so lucky to live there. Really.
there are many things that make this place completely different from rest of the world....hope you could make another trip sooner to explore it better.
I think most of hive knows I am from India :)
I have traveled extensively there when I was student there. Now last two years going back there a lot for business. Leh is just something special…
Went to Pangong TSO from leh. That’s out of this world
Oh wow that's extraordinary!! We've been watching a chic on Youtube - she's from Belgium, and she is riding a motorbike across India currently. Making us want to change our whole plans, except it's a bit hard to drive from Australia through the stans these days and we don't want to drive through China. Maybe we'll end up there one day in our Land Rover anyway. :)
Forgive me, maybe I did know - I just have a terrible memory perhaps.
Go for it River. The top of the world awaits us.
I think I'd possibly pee my pants with joy.
Ha ha ha lol.
You have given a new look to leh with your pictures.....comes the Leh - Ladakh and only the mountains and the picturesque pongyoung (3idiots) lakes comes into picture....all these were besutiful and looks different.....BTW in case uou need any more support to avoid much travelling...you can let me know for any help.
If you insist!
This is a bit spoiled. But if you are willing to travel just a bit you can still find peace.
Hahaha....that scooter and chairs...becomes a hallmark identity of leh no matter how besitiful the rest of the place is....first the bikers gang, then the influence of 3idiot the place going to be overcrowded and messy......hoping to be there in 2024.
लेह तो भारत का ताज है और इतना खूबसूरत जितना कोई नहीं। वैसे मैं 2013 से हर साल जून महीने में लेह जाता हूँ। मनाली से लेह अटल टनल बनने से पहले 14 घंटे में पहुंच जाते थे और अब पिछले 2 साल से यह समय सिर्फ 10-11 घंटे ही रह गया है।
I hope apko maza aaya hoga dada.
Why go quickly? Staying overnight at Keylong or Jispa is better, isn't it? But if you go there every year it makes sense to go in a day.
Getting a bit crowded in season don't you think?
My friend organizes a running event every year, Manali to Leh running in which runner has to run 480km in 120 hrs. So I volunteer at this event every year. The runner has to reach Leh from Manali in 5 days. That's why we have a lot of time.
It is really very crowded in June, the rates of everything from hotels to water become high.
If you like winter then come to Leh once in winter. The feeling of temperature of -20 to -30 degrees is different. Once I did Chadar trek there in Zanskar valley, this trek is on a frozen river.
Damn I always wanted to go to Ladakh - couldn't get there when I was India (two decades ago now) because the roads were out!
Few decades ago Ladakh was Sangri-La. You unfortunately can't go back in time, but still quite secluded
I'd want to go via the roads, highest mountain pass in the world I think up from Daramsala, excuse spelling, I did get there which was great. Loved those Himalayan foothills!
Dharamsala; you are good!
Better via Manali. You cross 4 major passes. Tang Lang La is the highest but that is not the highest motor-able pass.
This one is now the highest
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Umling_La#:~:text=The%20Umling%20La%20pass%20is,the%20world's%20highest%20motorable%20road.
I do love a bit of altitude! Just leave the beer out!
Lovely!
I learned what Om Mani Padme Hum meant a fee years back: "the jewel within the lotus"
I decided it was a beautiful thing to remember always. Both Leh Palace and Shanti Stupa look beautiful in their own way. Hope to visit India one day Thanks for sharing!
Yes that's the literal meaning. However I am told that it usually takes a lifetime to understand the true meaning. When you understand the meaning it’s Nirvana!
Wow!
Well, I've enjoyed what I've come to understand about it so far: to look within to find peace, wisdom, happiness. Everything we seek in life is within us already. I don't know if I'll be able to understand it's full meaning as you say, but reminding myself not to seek external validation has already made my life a little bit better.
Thank you!🙏
Love the photos! I've long wanted to travel to India. Before I moved to Japan 20 years ago, I was looking into taking an extended trip to India. Not to chase some mystical guru in the mountains like so many Westerners, but just to experience the culture that looked so fascinating to me from outside.
Now with kids and too many jobs I don't think I'll be getting away anytime soon, but one of these days I'd like to visit.
So do you live in Japan now? That is one place I love to visit someday.
Yep, I've been here about 20 years now. It's a great place to visit. Hope you can make it sometime!
India is seriously on my bucket list. I have wanted to do a long meditation retreat over there, but I also have young kids and responsibilities. I should have gotten it out of my system in my 20s, but I was too busy driving from Austin to Monterrey Mexico and staying for weeks at a time.
Yeah it would definitely be quite an experience for your kids!
Yeah. Same. I wanted to go there as a kid, I am 48 now! And I went there basically for a weekend while I should have spent a month! Life's a bitch ;)
Yep, we are the same exact age. 50 is creeping way to damn close!
In summer 1992 I stayed at Shanti Stupa for a couple of days with the Japanese monks and helped preparing the stupa for the anniversary. My job was to repaint some of the details in the paintings on the stupa which had suffered during winter. You can read about it here: https://hive.blog/travel/@likedeeler/likedeeler-stupafied
You can also read more posts about my adventures in India and Pakistan in 1992 on my blog: https://hive.blog/@likedeeler
I just read your post. Must be a very different town in the 90s. Development is very rapid there in the last 10 years, even last 2 years, from what I have seen. I wish I could have gone there in the 90s
Bruhh! At first sight, I thought the first image was unreal. I think my brain interprets those vertically standing trees as digital artwork haha! Anyway, awesome trip! I'd love to visit Shanti Stupa if I have a chance.
I've been to India once, in Dehradun. It was my very first international travel and I really loved it. If anybody asks me if it is worth traveling to India, I'd say definitely yes!
Before that trip, I was once told that "You are not a citizen of the world if you haven't visited India". After that, I've seen why.
India can be overwhelming on your senses and it's not easy. However, after you have gotten through the initial phase it can be extremely rewarding
shanti 😍
India is a magical place that I would like to visit and meet its people.
Its landscapes are breathtaking.
(Maybe I will have a bit of a hard time with the food, I know. But I also know that every experience there will be worth it. Beautiful images these you share with us.)
Thank you, and Congratulations!
India is complicated. It can be good, but usually it is very on your face loud. If you can deal with it your experience can be rewarding, otherwise it is unlikely you will ever go back. Regardless modern India will be unapologetic
Yes, I know it is noisy. I see it in many photos, I can feel it. I have also read a lot about India. I know, for example, that they have a caste system, and other people who are outside this system. This I know and I don't judge it, but it is certainly very far from my reality... 🤔 Well, I think that in the world, generally speaking, things work in a similar way. But, about India, that's why I would like to see it all with my own eyes, to feel it. Probably (... I am almost sure) it will be an intense experience from all points of view.
I have heard that because of high altitude, people face breathing issues, is that true ?
Yes. I have got serious breathing problem and tiredness. Especially because you fly from New Delhi to 11,500 ft in 2 hours it makes it hard. It usually takes 2 to 3 night to fix itself. Drinking a lot of water helps
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Ladakh is a good choice cause that place so beautiful.
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Leh Ladakh is a beautiful place and you have shared some beautiful clicks. Though I never visited this but this is a place worth visiting atleast once in life. Lots of people going there now probably after the 3idiot movie.
Two hours from your home. Go visit
it's so majestic. Your photos are very beautiful.
Epic bhai sahab. Namaste. What an ideal pilgrimage. Thank you so much for your inspiring photos. I've yet to visit. Vrindavana was my home for some months.
Leh Laddah is definitely on my to visit list. All my travel plans have got shelved due to health issues.
Seeing your posts makes me want to get out of here.
the pictures are amazing a breathtaking place
Wow the Stupa looks awesome - that must have been a great experience !
!PIZZA
Lovely pictures of the place. Leh - I just read about this Indian histoey TB. The pictures of the valley, the greenery , the mountains, the buildings make the place more beautiful.