Day 5th of Ladakh: A Dream || 12th July 2023

 

Leh City
     Photo: Leh City

    Health advisory on the permit for visiting Leh-Ladakh reads 'All tourists/visitors arriving in Leh must undergo at least 48hrs of acclimatization before initiating their journey to high altitude areas'. Incidents where tourists gasping for breath is not uncommon. This is due to A.M.S (acute mountain sickness) when people from lowland areas whose body has become habitual to plenty of oxygen suddenly find themselves in a place where there is a lack of oxygen.

    Since during the past 4 days our altitude grew gradually, one day of acclimatization was sufficient for us which also allowed us to check the list of 'Must do places'.

    The city of Leh it seemed has somehow been kept intact with its cultural and religious persona being the driving force behind its identity giving Leh such a unique place among the places where young crowd go for a 'break'. Of course, it is not to say that Leh has fallen behind in the modern ways; in fact the Leh main market area can give C.P. a run for its money. However, the mind of Leh is to be found in the historical relics/scroll pages/articrafts neatly preserved at Leh palace, museum at Hemis Monastery while its heart lies in the prayer halls of Thiksey Monastery, Shey Palace, Hemis Monastery.

    
Video: Majestic Shanti Stupa

Future Buddha's sculpture at Thiksey Monastery
                   Photo: Future Buddha's Sculpture @ Thiksey Monastery


    White washed walls and windows aplenty on each flour gives the houses in Leh an appearance of holy place. Multi colored flags with pious words 'Om Mani Padme Hum' printed upon them could be seen flapping everywhere and I too sacredly tied one to the handle of my bike. It is believed that the mantra contains all of Buddhist Teaching. It was also a pleasure to visit the Baba Rancho's school located in Leh and re-enact a particular scene from the movie 3 Idiots😂.

    


It is possible to do the places that are most frequently visited but it would require more than one day to at least get the spirit of any city. We were just tourists to that city for 1 day.

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