Ladakh

Tucked in a remote corner of Jammu and Kashmir lies the Land of Passes- Ladakh. Ladakh has been known by many name as, Maryul, Moon land, Broken Moon and Last-Shangri-la. As the name suggest it was inaccessible, isolated land tucked amid high mountains.

Remote though it is, Ladakh has never been totally isolated. Over the centuries the trade route from India to central Asia passed through this area undeterred by its high passes and desert landscape. Caravans carrying spices, brocades, pearls, carpets and more mundane merchandise like salt and tea took just two months to cover the distance from Amritsar in the Punjab to the central Asian towns of Varkand and Khotan!

Buddhism & Monasteries In Ladakh
According to the popular belief Ashoka's, missionaries came to Ladakh and propagated Buddhism in about 3rd century B.C and by the first century A.D. Buddhism took firm roots in Ladakh with Kanishka sending five hundred Buddhist missionaries for propagation of the faith in Tibet and Ladakh1. Fa-hien, the Chinese pilgrim mentioned the flourishing condition of Buddhism prevailed in Ladakh.

However, Mahayana was also introduced later on. Ladakh has gathered within its small highly cultured area a remarkable collection of different art styles. Wide spread traces of cultural impacts of Tibetan Buddhism and art forms of tenth and eleventh centuries A.D have been found throughout Ladakh as it is deeply penetrated into the socio-religious fiber and life style of the people.

Wildlife of Ladakh
The high mountain valleys, extending up to the snow line are the habitat of Ladakh's unique wildlife. The better known animals are the Kyang - wild Horse, the great Sheep , the Ibex and the Markhor Goats. And of course the prized Tibetan Antelope, which is hunted for its superfine Shahtoosh Wool. These animals are rare and facing extinction at the hands of poachers and hunters. Urgent steps are required for their protection.