Zanskar

Zanskar is a place which you can say that its a sandwiched between the Indus Valley and the main crest of the Indian Himalaya, this is a vast area what at over 3000 square miles, is larger then the Indian state of Sikkim.

It’s amongst a tangled knot of jagged mountains, lies the once independent kingdom of Zanskar. This place is having of far- flung monasteries, most of which occupy spectacular fortified locations, high on rocky ridges in isolated valleys. Lamayuru Gompa, the most ancient monastic site of here.

Its have many more trekking route that provides one of the great challenges of the Indian Himalaya. Some very good tracking places are like Darcha. From here, the north across the Shingo La (c.5100m./16000ft.) Into the ancient kingdom of Zanskar, which is famous for its hardy inhabitants and starkly beautiful landscape. Grapes, apricots and melons are produced in fairly large quantities at Darchik and Garkoon along the lower course of the Indus through Ladakh.

Hemis Gompa

Hemis Gompa

Hemis monastic complex is in Ladakh region of the Western Himalayas, in the state of Jammu and Kashmir at an altitude of 12,000 feet making it one of the highest settlements of the world .

There is a believe that it is established in 1630 by Lama Tagstang Raspa and built by Palden Sara under the patronage of King Sengge Namgyal on a site previously sanctified by the construction of a cave hermitage dating from the 12th century. It is a example of the of construction techniques and details which are not found elsewhere.
The main building itself dates from 1630 when the Nyingma Lhakhang was constructed with a courtyard in front and the residence for the Rinpoche located some distance to the east. The main entrance to the Gompa building, the large courtyard and its enclosing gallery decorated with painted stone relief’s.
Hemis Gompa festival is one of the most auspicious occasion for the Buddhist community in India. The Hemis fair is celebrated with great jubilance to mark the birth of Guru Padmasambhava or Guru Rimpoche, the revered incarnation of Lord Buddha.