Category Archives: Jammu & Kashmir

Dos and Donts for Ladakh Road Trip

June 13, 2018 allgudthings 19 Comments

Leh – Ladakh the crown of India or the Land of high passes is the dreamland of every adventurist. It boasts to be the land where the valleys extend in several kilometers, where mountains are dotted with innumerable ancient Buddhist Monasteries, where the sky is cobalt blue during the day and fill with infinity stars at night, where you can see a shooting star every moment, where there is a desert on one end and the high Rocky Mountains on others. But do you know to see all this, one needs to cross the most Treacherous Roads, with poor connectivity and sometimes huge traffic jams. Yes! You read it right. Here the quote “Difficult roads often lead you to beautiful destinations” perfectly fits in. So, in this post, we have compiled up certain pointers that you must keep in mind before heading for the Ladakh road trip.

Do make sure you know how to Drive in the mountains

Whether you enter from Manali and take exit via Srinagar or vice –versa, roads are narrow and serpentine with lots of mud, gravel, and potholes. So, take a decision to drive to Leh Ladakh only if you are confident with your driving skills. Otherwise, hire a cab or take a flight to Leh and you can check the Leh Ladakh Road Trip itinerary here.

Don’t Rush

Leh Ladakh road trip is one of the most scenic road trips in India. Indeed, there are unlimited panoramas on the way. So be slow, make unsolicited stops to capture gushing rivers, glaciers, pitch blue skies, and locals.

We reached Leh from Delhi on the fourth Day, making multiple stops. And the maximum of these was on the Srinagar Leh Highway. But have no regrets as every stoppage left a unique impression on the heart.

Do Rest and Acclimatize, before heading to the next stop

While road tripping to Leh Ladakh from Delhi one should gain altitude slowly and gradually. This will give the body enough time to adapt to the low oxygen levels with ever-increasing altitude. Indeed it will help to beat or avoid Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) / Altitude Sickness. In case, you still suffer from it, then take Diamox.

We also suggest you to consult your doctor prior to your Leh Ladakh road trip if you have any breathing issues.

Don’t refer to Google Maps for the time frame

We all rely on Google Maps for getting time estimates to reach a particular destination but at the same time, we suggest you not to rely on Google Maps when in the land of High passes. Here, the map may show you just a distance of 100 kilometers which can be covered in 3 hours, but in actual it takes around 6-7 hours to cover it. So, the only advice is to start your journey early and retire for the day too timely.

Treacherous Roads in Ladakh which will definitely longer

Do make sure your documents are complete

Ladakh lies in a sensitive zone as it shares its border with neighboring countries like China and Pakistan. So, everyone needs special permits to enter and roam in this zone. Indians need Leh Ladakh Inner Line Permit and foreign Nationals need Protected Area Permit to visit them. You can read all about the Inner Line Permit here, before taking a road trip to Ladakh.

Don’t attempt to take Shortcuts

Shortcuts are alluring. They might take you through the most adventurous routes but can be equally dangerous, especially in Leh Ladakh. So we advise you not to follow GPS in Leh Ladakh and stay on the highways only. Locals can give you the best, recent updates on the routes. Talk to them before leaving.

Do make a visit to the Leh Ladakh Palaces before they Disappear

Leh Ladakh castles are architectural marvels on the hilltop hidden from the rest of the world. They might have been majestic during their eras but today only their ruins and rubble exist. So we advise you to take little detours where ever required and visit these palaces before they completely disappear.

We explored 6 Leh Ladakh Palaces during our Leh Ladakh Road trip and each one was completely unique in its own way.

Don’t depend on Phone and Internet Connectivity

Phone and Internet connectivity is extremely sparse in Ladakh, especially after crossing Sonamarg. Airtel postpaid and BSNL works well in Leh and other tourist towns like Kargil on the way, whereas in Nubra Valley, Pangong Tso, Tso Moriri and Tso Kar only BSNL works. The Leh Ladakh road trip was a perfect way to digital detox but we think it won’t be in the coming years as we saw the phone connection lines getting spread on most of the routes.

During our road trip to Leh Ladakh, most of the guesthouses were offering net connectivity but the speed was really slow because of multiple users.

Do carry some Food Supplies and Medicines

Ladakh is considered as one of the remotest areas, after Spiti Valley. Getting medical supplies and eateries while road tripping can be really tough here. So, we suggest you to always carry some eateries and medicine with you in the car. Also, if there is an emergency do take help from the locals. They are for sure one of the happiest people to help.

Don’t be Fussy about Food and Accommodation

Remember, Leh Ladakh lies at an altitude above 10,000 feet where the living conditions are extremely tough and resources are limited. So, stop cribbing. Go with the limited expectation and accept happily whatever you get. Rest, soak your eyes and soul with natural beauty.

Do carry multiple layers of clothes

While heading from one destination to another in Leh Ladakh there is a high altitude variation. For e.g. while heading to Nubra valley from Leh, you cross KhardungLa at 18,000 feet to reach 11,000 feet, which itself means a lot of temperature change. So, the advice is to carry multiple thin layers of clothes. This will keep your body as warm as required, without making you sick.

Don’t forget to charge your Camera Batteries

Every frame on the Leh Ladakh road trip is click-worthy. So remember to charge your camera batteries and also carry some extra batteries along. Electricity supply is there in all the major towns on the way except at Pangong Tso, Tso Moriri and Tso Kar.

That is all you need to remember about planning a Leh Ladakh Road Trip. If you plan well nothing can stop you from soaking yourself with gorgeous panoramas.

The humble request is to travel responsibly. Please do not litter anywhere in the Himalayas and get your plastic waste back. Help locals wherever you can.

India, Jammu & Kashmir, Tourism, Travel

Sonamarg, Kashmir – The Golden Meadows of India

April 15, 2018 allgudthings 21 Comments

If there is a heaven on earth, then it’s in Kashmir! Have you heard that? Probably yes! Even we have heard that and don’t know to which part of Kashmir, people refer as heaven. We visited Srinagar and Sonmarg during our 13 days road trip to Leh Ladakh from Delhi. And trust us Sonamarg which means the “Golden Meadows” or “Meadows of Gold” was no less than heaven.

The green meadows on the banks of the Sindh River and the cold rustic mountains leading to Kargil from Sonamarg were completely striking. The valley enthralled us in its beauty and made us say it is a complete destination in itself.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BckVEqpn_q5/?taken-by=suruchimittal

Sonamarg lies 86 kilometers from Srinagar at an altitude 8950 feet. Till day, the place is mostly visited by pilgrims during the Holy Amarnath Yatra and by road trippers as a stopover link between Jammu and Leh. Even we had the similar impression for the place to be just a stopover. So, after strolling at Dal Lake, Srinagar for an hour we turned our steering to reach further.

Dal Lake, Srinagar: Sonamarg, Kashmir-The Golden Meadows of India — Dal Lake, Srinagar

We reached the small town Sonamarg around 7:30 pm and it was already pitch dark. The only thing we could see in the darkness was snow-capped glistening mountains on one side and lots of resorts in a row on another side. So, the first impression was another hill town. Sad!!

But as I woke up and opened our room window, my jaw dropped down in a big Wow! I couldn’t believe my eyes and mind. The meadows in front seemed to be vast and exceptionally beautiful in the shade of light and dark. And from there we made our mind to explore Sonamarg first before heading further to Leh.

The valleys of Sonamarg have much to offer to nature lovers. If one side of the mountains is dotted by tall alpine trees making unique patterns than on another side there are snow clad Himalayas. Out of these majestic Peaks, one is Thajiwas glacier which seemed to be quite near but not that near. The clouds engulf the valley anytime making it look a green hamlet in the clouds.

Sightseeing in and around Sonamarg

Sonamarg – the Golden Meadows, has not many attractions. It is a place to be with nature. We recommend to find a nice spot for yourself, enjoy serene beauty, breathe fresh air and listen to the music of water.

Also Read: The complete Kashmir Itinerary

Apart from this, visit the Thajiwas Glacier, which now days is also known as Bajrangi Bhaijan Point (after the release of Bajrangi Bhaijan movie). The base of the glacier can be reached through union taxis or ponies. The drive till glacier base is memorable and fun but the ponies dung leaves you breathless on the way. We found the union rates to be bit high and touts were annoying.

Drive through Baltal to Zojila Pass, which lies 24 kilometers ahead from Sonamarg. At Baltal, view the gushing picturesque Sindh River flowing down in the gorge and hundreds of colorful tents set up nearby for Amarnath Pilgrims.

Amarnath Yatra Base Camps at Baltal near Sonamarg

The Zojila Pass lies at 11, 649 feet. The road to the pass is highly curvaceous and narrow. So, the drive is thrilling for nature and adventure lovers. At one point, green Valleys are suddenly taken over by barren huge mountains and one can see huge snow walls around. One can enjoy snow sports like sledding, snow bikes and a trek to the barren mountain, at Zero point.

Also read: Ladakh-The land of high Passes

Just 4 kilometers from the city lay a highly reverted Nilagrad River. The water of River is believed to have some medicinal values. Sonamarg also acts as a base for some of the treks like Krishansar Lake trek, Vishansar Lake trek, Gangabal Trek, Kashmir great lakes trek etc.

Accommodations in Sonamarg

Sonamarg has various types of accommodation options ranging from budget hotel to luxury hotels to riverside camps. We suggest choosing a hotel which has glacier way. We stayed at Hotel Imperial, a mid-segment range property, which had a glacier view.

You can also check the various options here.

Local Cuisines

The Golden Meadows might look like a small place but there are plenty of restaurants and hotels to enjoy the food. One can try a range of Indian, Punjabi, Chinese and Kashmiri food. We say, when in Kashmir, do try the local Kashmiri cuisines and drinks which includes Syoon Olav (Meat with Potatoes cooked in spicy gravy), Marcha-Wangan korma, Nadir-Haaq/Gogji/Monji (lotus stems cooked with Spinach or Radish), Muj Gaad (Fish with Radish), Modur Pulaav (Sweet Pulao), Kaanti (lamb pieces in red-hot gravy) and Matschgand (minced lamb meatballs in spicy red gravy) and Kahwah or Qahwa (green tea with cardamom, cinnamon etc).

Modur Pulav - Sonamarg, Kashmiri Cuisine — Modur Pullav

How to Reach Sonamarg

Sonamarg can be reached by air, bus, car, and train. The nearest airport is at Srinagar and railway station is at Jammu. From Srinagar, one can hire a shared or individual taxi, or reach by bus. The best option according to us is self-drive from Srinagar to Sonamarg.

Condition of roads: well constructed graveled road

Best Time to visit Sonamarg: Summers from May to October

Expected Temperature– 7 – 20-degree Celsius in summers and -8 to-18 degree Celsius in winters

So, Sonamarg was an absolute land of beauty and magic. It left us completely mesmerized. Throughout our drive Sindh River accompanied us, and the only change was in the background – sometimes a pitch green carpet on mountain slopes and sometimes the white snow-laden.

Do you also feel Sonamarg – The Golden Meadows is a real paradise or heaven. And, if you have any more stories of this land, please share it with us. We will be happy to listen to them.

You can also read about our other series of Leh Ladakh below

Hemis Monastery

Nubra Valley: The Valley of Flowers in Ladakh

A day at White Lake Tso Kar in Ladakh

Ladakh-The land of High Passes

All you need to know about Leh Ladakh Inner Line Permit

6 must visit Leh Ladakh Palaces before they disappear

A Walk with Indian Soldier at Kargil War Memorial

Leh Ladakh Road trip from Delhi – 13 days itinerary

India, Jammu & Kashmir, Tourism, Travel

Hemis Monastery: Biggest & Wealthiest Gompa in Ladakh

December 22, 2017 allgudthings 27 Comments

When you are in the land of Lamas; how can you miss visiting their abodes. Yes! The monasteries; which are monk’s schools, homes and the place where they take religious vows. Imagine, some of the Lama’s spend their whole lives here. Leh Ladakh; apart from being the land of high passes is also dotted with innumerable ancient Buddhist Monasteries. Each monastery here is an architectural marvel either jutting from the mountain face or on the top. They have deep-rooted Buddhist & Tibetan religious associations. So, the monastery hopping circuit in Leh Ladakh has become an important part of Ladakh Tourism. And here in this post, we will be taking a tour of the biggest & wealthiest Gompa i.e. Hemis Monastery of Ladakh.

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The Hemis Monastery Ladakh

The Hemis Gompa, being the biggest and wealthiest is not simply perching on the mountaintop or on the roadside. It is hidden in the deep gorge, 49 km from Leh, completely encircled in between the mountains. The mountaintop around the gorge is believed to be the place, where the Lord Padmasambhava or Rimpoche had once meditated. Being hidden the Hemis monastery, remained unharmed, unscathed during the wars and became wealthiest of all. And today, it owns more than half of the land in Ladakh.

Also Read: 6 must-visit Leh Ladakh Palaces before they disappear

How to reach Hemis Monastery

From Leh, cross Shey and Thiksey Monastery, further keep driving along the river Indus, towards Manali Leh highway for 39 km till Village Karu. Then cross-river Indus via cantilever bridge and head in between the mountain trails till Village Chushod, which is almost 10 kilometers. Then cross the green oasis lined with poplar and willow trees and you will see the colorful Hemis Monastery, jutting straight from the mountains.

The colorful stepped Hemis Gompa is surrounded by mustard fields, which adds colors to the surrounding barren mountains. Just near to the monastery is the Hemis high altitude national park which is home to the endangered snow leopard.

Timings

8 am to 1 pm; 2 pm to 6 pm. Lunch timing is between 1-2 pm.

Entry Fee

Rs 50/-

Best Time to visit Hemis

June – September. Hemis festival takes place in between June – July month

History of Hemis Monastery

The Hemis Monastery is quite an ancient institution and has its roots dating back to 11^th century. However, it was re-established in 1630 by the illustrious King Sengge Namgyal who had also built the famous Leh Palace.

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The renovation of the Hemis Gompa was carried by King under the assistance of the famous Tibetan Priest Stag-Tsang-Ras-Pa, the disciple of Drukpa / Drugpa School. So, under the rule of the Namgyal dynasty, the monastery flourished and till the day it is flourishing and is managed by Drukpa Lineage or Red Hat sect of Buddhism.

Inside Hemis Gompa

After purchasing the ticket, climb few stairs and you will see the vibrant colored typical Tibetan Buddhist entrance welcoming you.

Entrance to one of the biggest and wealthiest gompas of Ladakh: Hemis Monastery — Entrance to Hemis Gompa

Remove your shoes and on your left stands the Hemis museum. In the center, there is a huge courtyard where the world famous Hemis festival or mask festival takes place. The long colorful corridors run along the courtyard and in the center are three sacred poles with the fluttering flags. Just don’t stop here as the interiors inside and views from to are really impressive too.

Corridors around courtyard of Hemis Monastery — Corridors around courtyard of Hemis Gompa

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The Hemis Monastery is divided into two – the assembly hall known as Dukhang and the Temple known as Tshogkgang. The main temple where the daily prayers happen houses the huge golden statue of Lord Buddha, sacred Thangkas, and Stupas embedded with precious and semi-precious stones.

Lord Buddha Statue in Hemis Monastery Temple — Lord Buddha Statue in Hemis Monastery

The temple on the first floor houses the large golden statue of Guru Rimpoche. Corridors around the whole complex are decorated with the frescoes or mural paintings depicting the wheel of life, lords of four quarters and the Buddhist prayer wheels.

Lord Padmasambhava Temple in Hemis Monastery — Lord Padmasambhava in Hemis Monastery

The Hemis Museum houses a large collection of historical Buddhist Thangkas, weapons, carriers etc. Inside there is a huge library that has an inspiring collection of Tibetan books, manuscripts, and relics. Just at the ground floor of the museum is a souvenir shop selling various Ladakh magnets, T-shirts, books etc. Photography is completely prohibited inside the museum. Indeed, lockers are provided before entering the museum to keep your valuables safe.

Hemis Monastery Terrace

Before leaving the Monastery complex, climb up to the terrace to get some. mesmerizing views. You will see the stacked Himalayas, enclosing and protecting the monastery from all sides with the green oasis in between.

The temple complex is not only colorful & beautiful from the front end and inside but the top too is artistically crafted with colorful contrasting glass in the window panes.

And the most striking of all is, another Lord Buddha statue mounted on the front hilltop of Hemis Gompa. We really wonder how they might have carried it to that height and how difficult the mounting would had been.

Hemis Festival

The Hemis festival also known as Mask or Cham festival takes place in the Hemis Monastery courtyard; to celebrate the birth anniversary of Lord Padmasambhava. It happens on the 10^th day of Lunar Tibetan Calendar, usually between June – July. The celebration lasts for a complete 3 days.

Hemis festival stirs the complete courtyard with its pageantry. Monks, Nuns, lamas are dressed to perfection wearing heavy brocade gowns with masks. They dance with cymbals, drums, and trumpets portraying the win of good over evil. Everything is colorful during the festival and people rejoice with the local traditional food and drinks. The annual markets are set up around the monastery which sells local goods. The sacred 12-meter long Thangka, largest of all Thangkas in Ladakh is unfurled from the top floor after every 12 years.

Stupas studded with Precious and semi precious stones in the Hemis Monastery Temple — Stupas studded with Precious and semi-precious stones in the Hemis Monastery

Points to Remember

The best season to visit Hemis Gompa is between June – September. If you are planning to be the part of the Hemis festival, then check the exact dates before planning your Leh Ladakh road trip
Hemis Monastery provides accommodation to the guests. The alternate is guesthouses and homestays in the nearby village
Do try lip-smacking fried rice, noodles, Thupkas and some local food at the shack outside monastery
Buy some local handicrafts as souvenirs to take back home
Make sure to respect the monastery culture and avoid photography wherever it is prohibited. Rotate the prayer wheels mounted near the courtyard.
Talk to locals and be part of the celebrations to know more about the local; traditions and culture
Don’t restrict yourself to the courtyard. There are many picturesque locations on the terrace too.
Check the huge golden Buddha statue mounted on the front hilltop. %CODE1%
Monastery houses more than 500 monks. It is one of the largest spiritual and meditative learning centers. So, enthusiasts from all over the world travel here, to learn the basics of Buddhism and practice the life of the monk.

If the Hemis Gompa is an epitome, then the trail leading to the Hemis Monastery is no less. It is a complete adventurous zone. The visit to a monastery is not just about the Cham festival, we say it is equally inviting during all the accessible months. It is a marvelous grandeur steeped in rich history, heritage and mythology. Moreover, the entire aura of the place is spellbinding.
Have you visited Hemis Monastery in Ladakh? Do you feel the same as us?

Other articles you can Check from Leh Ladakh series are:

Leh Ladakh Road trip from Delhi

A walk with Indian soldier at Kargil War Memorial

Nubra Valley: The Valley of Flowers in Ladakh

A day at White Lake Tso Kar in Ladakh

Attractions on the Srinagar Leh Highway

Ladakh-The land of High Passes

All you need to know about Leh Ladakh Inner Line Permit

Story of Gata Loops

Dos and Donts for Ladakh Road Trip

Hemis Monastery: Biggest & Wealthiest Gompa in Ladakh

Sonamarg, Kashmir – The Golden Meadows of India

Bhuttico Kullu Shawls & Accessories – The Gift of Valley

Leh Ladakh Palaces

10 reasons why everyone should travel India

The colored Tibetan Prayer Stones – Mani Stones

India, Jammu & Kashmir, Tourism, Travel

Attractions on the Srinagar Leh Highway

October 11, 2017 allgudthings 24 Comments

The cool breeze started caressing our face when we opened the car window, our eyes popped up seeing the enchanting 180 to 360-degree views of the landscapes around. There was a strong urge to stop every now and then at each spot indefinitely. Such is the real beauty and benefits of road trips. Road trips have always fascinated us. And being road trip lovers, we did an epic 13 day, 3500 km road trip from Delhi to Leh Ladakh. The massive changing landscapes, crowning shaded mountains, and the virgin beauty of Ladakh left us completely stunned. It was a lifetime experience for us to drive on the Srinagar Leh Highway and its beauty is just beyond words.

If we tell you to stop at each of these places or villages in between, to check the attractions out, we will be absolutely wrong. In fact, the whole journey is a big attraction in itself. There are high passes and glaciers, natural and manmade wonders, centuries-old monasteries. And if you are a photo-bug like us, you will have a strong urge to stop and click pictures at every curve, while traversing on the Srinagar Leh highway. But stopping at each point is just next to impossible. So, here is a brief overlay of what one must visit.

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We broke our journey from Sonmarg to Leh in two days, to sense and feel the actual beauty of Ladakh. The first day we traveled from Sonamarg to Kargil and second day Kargil to Leh. Also, read complete Leh Ladakh Itinerary from Delhi

Attractions on Srinagar Leh Highway

(Day 1 from Sonamarg – Kargil)

Thajiwas Glacier

The Thajiwas glacier lies just 7 km away from Sonamarg. The trail offers splendid views of green and frozen lakes around it. One can climb it by ponies and also try a sledge ride in mid-summer there.

Zoji La

The first high altitude pass, Zoji La lies 9 km from Sonamarg and is at an altitude of 11,575 feet. The pass remains covered with snow throughout the year and even in the months of May-August, you can see 8 – 10 feet of snow wall around it. Just a kilometer ahead, there is a snow point where snow never melts and one can enjoy snow games there.

Also Read: Ladakh – The Land of High Passes

Drass War Memorial at Drass

Drass lies 39 km from Zoji La and is famous for the Drass War memorial which is built as a tribute to the martyrs of Kargil war. One gets teary-eyed seeing how our brave Indian soldiers fought and laid their lives to sway back our Indian Flag there. Remember to spot the Elephant ridge, Tiger Hill, and Tololing Hill in the backdrop of Drass War Memorial. Also, see Amar Jawan Jyoti and 100’s of memorial stones at Veer Bhumi.

Also Read: A walk with Indian Solider at Kargil War Memorial

Kargil

The city Kargil lies 65 km away from Drass and is famous for rich apricot plantations. There is a Kargil war memorial and the Kargil heritage hut here too. Do visit these to see the traditional and cultural attires and crockery of the various tribes of Ladakh valley.

We stayed at Hotel Zojila Residency in Kargil. We must say, the ultimate place to relax and unwind; with the Suru River flowing around it.

View of Kargil & River Suru from Hotel Zojila Residency - Srinagar Leh Highway — View of Kargil & River Suru from Hotel Zojila Residency

Attractions on Srinagar Leh Highway

(Day 2 from Kargil- Leh)

Mulbekh Monastery/ Maitreya Buddha at Mulbekh

The Mulbekh monastery lays 45 km from Kargil on the Srinagar Leh highway. It is famous for the 7th-century old carved statue of Lord Buddha. This Maitreya Buddha sculpture is 9 meters tall and is believed to be the former Buddha.

Mulbekh Monastery - Future Buddha: Srinagar Leh Highway — Mulbekh Monastery – Future Buddha

Namika La

Just 16 km ahead to Mulbekh, lays the second highest pass, Namika La. It is at an altitude of 12139 feet and is known as the “Pillar of the sky pass” because of the pillar-like object rising towards the sky at the pass.

Fotu La

Fotu La, one of the most picturesque pass, lies at an altitude of 13,478 feet and is 36 km from Namika La. This pass too has relay station of Bharat Prasar. Read more about Ladakh – the Land of High Passes.

Lamayuru

After descending 14 km from Fotu La, you reach the most scenic surreal village, Lamayuru. The village is known for its absurd landscapes i.e. moon lands and centuries-old Lamayuru Monastery.

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Lamayuru Moon lands

These bizarre Landscapes resemble the lunar landscape of the moon; hence named Lamayuru moon lands. Locals too say they shine extraordinarily during the full moon nights. For best views of moon lands, one can climb the meditation hill.

Lamayuru Monastery

The whitewashed monastery on the hilltop amidst these lunar landscapes is one of the largest and oldest Gompas of the region. The foundation stone of the Gompa was laid back in the 10^th century by Mahasiddhacharya Naropa, after drying up the lake in the valley. The Monastery is still a house to almost 150 monks and is famous for the dance masked festival.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BW_XX9oB-H7/?hl=en&taken-by=suruchimittal

Magnetic Hill / Gravity Hill

Gravity Hill or Magnetic Hill in Ladakh is a perfect example of Optical Illusion. 30 km from Leh there is a stretch of the Srinagar Leh highway itself, where the surrounding slopes and valley layout give the impression that the downhill road is actually an uphill road.

Most of the people are aware of the fact, but still, hey fascinate to turn off their car engines and leave them in neutral, to see their cars moving. Even we stopped our car here to experience it, no less than others.

Gurudwara Pathar Sahib

The Gurudwara Pathar Sahib is a beautiful shrine 25 km before Leh. The shrine has a huge boulder with imprints of Guru Nanak Dev Ji and demon foot.

There is an interesting story behind this shrine. During Guru Nanak Dev Voyage to Ladakh, he was meditating here and seeing him lost, the demon thought of attacking him. The demon rolled down the rock from the hilltop to kill the divine soul but as soon as the rock approached him, it got converted to the soft molten wax. Seeing this, the demon got more ferocious and he pushed the rock further with his feet with full strength. Instead of Guru getting injured, the demons’ foot got injured himself. Soon, after this demon realized that he is a mortal soul and he stopped disturbing him.

Tibetan Buddhists idolize Guru Nanak Dev Ji as a Guru Gompa Maharaja and as Nanak Lama.

Indus Zanskar River Confluence, at Village Nimmu

The confluence of river Indus and Zanskar on the Srinagar Leh highway is another mesmerizing sight in itself. It lies 6 km from the village Nimmu and is a photographer’s delight.

Indus Zanskar Confluence on Srinagar Leh Highway — Indus Zanskar Confluence

Apart from this, we mentioned earlier too, that the whole journey on Srinagar Leh highway is an attraction in itself. So, stop wherever you can, enjoy and get soaked in the beauty of the Ladakh.

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