LEH, LADAKH TRIP

25.08.16: After breakfast, our Driver Nazir turned up with his Innova and we left for Sham Valley sightseeing.  On way we saw below winding river of Indus, which further led to Sangam of Indus River and Zangakar River. Both joined into one, and it was nice to see the different colours of water of 3 rivers.

On way we visited Alchi Monastry, an old ancient Monastry,  it is distinct from other monasteries in Ladakh as it is situated on flat ground unlike others which are located on hilltops. It has three main structures known as Dukhang, Sumtsek and the temple of Manjushri. Dukhang, the assembly hall, is the largest and the oldest preserved part of the monastery. Walls of the assembly hall are full of ancient paintings that depict different forms of Buddha and goddesses. On the ground floor there is a Maitreya Buddha along with figure of white Avalokiteshvara and Manjushri. A beautiful old monastery.

Travelled to a Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Lamayuru, Leh district, India. It is situated on the Srinagar-Leh highway. Considered to be one of the largest and oldest monasteriesof Ladakh, with a population of around 150 permanent monks resident. The oldest surviving building at Lamayuru is a temple called Seng-ge-sgang, at the southern end of the Lamayuru rock, which is attributed to the famous builder-monk Rinchen Zangpo (958-1055 CE). On our way back we stopped at Magnetic Hill, where we watched our car going back due to Magnetic effect.   

We proceeded to Gurdwara Pathar Sahib, which is situated on the Srinagar-Leh Road, 25kms before the Leh. It is very beautiful and it was created in memory of the founder of Sikh religion and the first guru , Guru Nanak. History : Guru Nanak Dev reached here during the second journey (1515-1518 A.D.) in 1517 A.D. after giving his sermon on summer hills. In the opposite hill, there lived a cruel demon who use to terrify the people and eat them after killing. One day, when Guru ji was immersed deep in the worship of God, the demon took the opportunity and throw a huge stone (Pathar) on Guruji, so that Guruji would die under the huge stone. As the huge stone touched Guruji, it became like wax. You can have a glimpse of the holy stone inside Gurdwara Pather Sahib.  It is maintained and visited by army personnel located around Leh, Jammu & Kashmir.  We returned back to Leh, to piping Ladaki food of Thupka (noodle soup) dinner by our hostess, Stanzin, Ponam & Sonam.