Ladakh

Ladakh is the 8th union territory of India, located in the country’s northern region. It is the largest region of the north and the eastern parts of the Jammu and Kashmir regions. It is divided among India and Pakistan equally, and the Indian portion is considered Gilgit Baltistan, while the Pakistani area is called Ladakh Union territory.

Ladakh – A Glimpse

It was created on 31st October 2019, when Jammu and Kashmir were turned into union territory on the orders of the reorganization act. Ladakh is located in the highest part of the country and covers almost 59,146 km per sq. of the total area. Ladakh is surrounded by the Indus valley, Karakoram range, and Ladakh range.

Ladakh is a mountainous region surrounded by mountains, hills, and valleys. It is one of the most adventurous places among the people of India and is known for its immense beauty and peaceful nature. Most of the population situated in Ladakh are of Buddhism and Tibetan communities. Plenty of stupas, old museums, and monasteries are the people’s belief sources. It is one of the most sparsely populated regions of Kashmir, and People also call it little Tibet due to its resemblance to Tibetan culture. It was the main reason for the dispute between India, Pakistan, and China. 

History of Ladakh

Ladakh is a union territory located near Jammu and Kashmir. It is an old place known by many unique names such as Maryul, Kha-chukka, and others. In the past, the immigrants moved from the Indus valley to the plain land and named it Sham; then, another group of immigrants documented- Mons who moved from Kulu and settled there. These people came as immigrants but extended their living area with time.

The tribe started living an everyday life here, and then they began to elect their leader as a king. The first elected king was the master of the whole tribe, which is known as Gyapacho. Ladakh is an ancient place that shows the footprints of many different communities bounded by many cultures and customs. Dards are the first tribal group who stayed in Ladakh for a more extended period and proceeded to develop the history. Ladakh is a delicacy of India and consists of many religions and traditions. 

In the 10th century, Ladakh was considered an independent country, but later many Tibetian leaders came in and distributed Ladakh into many parts and then conquered them one by one. Since then, Ladakh has been ruled by many kings of different religions. Ladakh’s history is interdependent on Tibet because when the Tibetan empire collapsed then, the royal families of Tibet started to divide the states and rule them independently. After the defeat of the Mughal empire, the Sikh king- Ranjit Singh, sent his disciple to Ladakh, and then the present king gave up his crown and left. Since then, general Zorawar Singh has ruled Ladakh.

But after some time, Dogra’s rule came, and they conquered Ladakh, which was integrated by the princely power of Jammu and Kashmir. On 31st October 2019, the central government of India passed the reorganization act to constitute Ladakh as a union territory by separating it from Jammu and Kashmir. It is one of the country’s largest and least populated union territories.

Art & Culture of Ladakh

The Tibet and Buddhist community primarily influence the art and culture of Ladakh. This resemblance can be seen in the food, art, clothing, and lifestyle of the people of Ladakh. It is a rich and glamorous culture filled with many customs. The influencing culture of Ladakh came from the monasteries and temples situated there. The monks and priests briefly describe the diversity of their religion and culture through books and other religious material. 

When we talk about the art of Ladakh, it is also quite fascinating to watch the creative art pieces. The local people are engaged in craftsmanship and create various articles of gold, silver, copper, etc. they even create religious reports for worshipping. People in Ladakh prefer creating all the things by themselves, and they avoid going to other regions to shop. The craftsman forms all the shrines for installation in the temples and monasteries. Even the people personally make the kitchen material, pots, bowls, spoons, and all the things. There is no such unique art of Ladakh, but all these small things are worth watching.

Famous foods of Ladakh

1. THUKPA– It is the most loved dish among the people of Ladakh. It is a soup containing vegetables and spices served with noodles, and some people prefer meat chunks over vegetables. It is filled with spicy red chutney. People change its flavor according to their taste buds. It is the most consumed dish in Ladakh and is also considered in all regions of the Himalayan range. 
2. SKU– It is a stew-based dish made of vegetables like potato, turnip, and radish and cooked with barley balls made with its dough. It is a mouthwatering dish due to the unbearable aroma and the taste of these ground veggies. It is mainly liked during winter because it is a good form of carbohydrates and is best while doing the tracking. 
3. MOMO– Momos are the most liked dish in Ladakh. These dumplings, stuffed with meat, carrot, cabbage, onion, etc., are served with hot spicy chutney to enhance the flavor. These are cooked in a steamer for some time. It’s not just the famous dish of Ladakh but also Myanmar, Arunachal Pradesh, Nepal, and all over the country.
4. TIKMO is a steamed Tibetan bread stuffed with dal, spices, vegetables, and meat. It is considered the staple food consumed by the people of Ladakh. It is a fluffy bun filled with all the stuffing and steamed inside the steamer for almost 15 minutes. It is readily available in the market, and locals made it themselves in their homes. It can be served as snacks or as a cuisine. 
5. CHUTAGI– It is a dish made of vegetable sauce and looks identical to pasta. It is the most famous and considered the signature dish of Ladakh. The pasta strands are made of wheat dough, and barley served with condiments consisting of carrot, garlic, peas, and leafy vegetables. It is a very nutritious and tasty dish. 

Festivals of Ladakh

1. Hemis festivals – Hemis Gompa, the largest monastery in Ladakh, hosts this festival in the 5th month of the Tibetan lunar calendar. This festival is celebrated for the birth of Guru Padmasambhava, the founder of tantric Buddhism in Tibet. At this festival, the Buddhist monks wear a traditional dress. This festival is celebrated from the 9th to the 11th of June. In this festival, the sacred masked dance is known as charm performed by lamas.

2. The Losar festival is a new year celebrated two months before the original Tibetan new year. It was celebrated like this because, during the 17th century, king Jamyang Namgyal postponed his war due to the heavy winter and decided to fight the war after the whole season, so he suggested celebrating the new year before the original one. And then, it became a tradition among the people of Ladakh, and they celebrate it on the 11th month in remembrance of the king. 

3. Sindhu darshan– Sindhu darshan is a three days festival started on the whole moon night of Guru Purnima near the Indus valley to signify unity and peace. It promotes people’s living as many people join this festival with great joy. People dress up in different costumes and perform various dances in the solemnity of all the past soldiers. It is celebrated in June.

4. The Dosmoche festival– is a two-day occasion celebrated annually among the people of Ladakh. In the past, it was honored by the royal families to remove all the evil powers from their life; later, it became a tradition. Many locals take part in this festival by preparing performances of sacred characters. It starts in November and lasts till March.

5. Saka Dawa festival is the most important and celebrated festival in Ladakh. It is celebrated during June, and it is believed that lord Buddha was born in this period, and many consider this festival the most vital. Many travelers reach Ladakh for this occasion. Lamas and all the monks chant mantras after remembering all the sacrifices lord Buddha has made for them.

Traditional costumes of Ladakh

Traditional clothing defines the culture of places. Most people wear jeans, t-shirts, maxi dresses, and shorts, but formal attire has its specific value in society. There are some conventional attires of Ladakh, which are given below-

1. Goncha is a thick woolen robe used to wear this Goncha with accessories like a tipi, loop, bow, shawl, or Tsa-zar for men. Gonchar and Kos is the leading dress worn by all communities.
2. Kos Kar- Ladakh is divided into different geographical areas, and these areas have their unique traditions and costumes. The Changpaclothing is the most famous outfit of Ladakh; it is worn with a whitish robe called Lawa Goncha or Kos Kar; it is warm and rugged. This outfit is made of sheep wool. 
3. Yogar or Lokpa is another warm dress of Ladakh; women only wear it around their shoulders and cover the neck. It is a printed dress that is usually published in green fabric. Nowadays, it wore by women during festivals with accessories.

Flora and fauna in Ladakh

Ladakh has very sparse vegetation, including streambeds and wetlands. There are around 1250 plant species like crops. Ladakh has a freezing climate with low temperatures; because of these factors, there is a limited amount of vegetation. Ladakh has willow groves, wild roses, and herbs. There are many numbers of perennial and annual shrubs. These plants are only grown in the summer season and disappear in winter. Ladakh has a rich source of medicinal plants which are used for the preparation of traditional Asian medicines. The Ladakh has animals like leopards, Tibetan wolves, and Tibetan argali and contains exotic bird species.

Population of Ladakh

84% of Ladakh’s population lives in villages; according to the census of 1995, the sex ratio of the district is around 1011 females per 1000males. The percentage of males and females decreased in the Kargil district to approximately 970 females to 901 males; the total urban sex ratio for both sections was around 640. The annual population growth rate from 1981 to 2001 was 2.75% in Leh and 2.83% in Kargil. In Ladakh, there are many followers of Islam, while small minorities follow Hinduism and  Buddhism; the Muslim population of Leh and Kargil is around 76.87% the Buddhist population is around 14.29% as per the 2011 census. 

Occupation in Ladakh

If we talk about the occupation of people in Ladakh, then around 90% of the total population depends upon agriculture, while the rest relies on mining, pasturing, manufacturing, etc. Ladakh is very rich in the production of apricot, walnut, etc., and these are considered the delicacies of this place. Ladakh people are hard-working and try to produce everything with available resources. While except for agriculture, sheep-rearing is also a source of income among the people. They cut the wool of sheep and goats and prepare clothes, mats, etc., to bear the winter. Ladakh’s population also consists of the huntsman, who hunt animals for food, skin, and horns, and sells them at higher rates.

Languages in Ladakh

The Tibetan language is mainly spoken in the Ladakh district; more than 100.000 people speak the Ladakhi language, and another 12,000 speak Qiantang. The other name of the Ladakhi language is Bhoti. In the region, the Ladakhior Lehskat language is spoken. In the northwest, the Shamskat language is used, the Stotskat language is used in the Indus valley, and Nubra is expressed in the north side of Ladakh. Ladakhi language is defined in Tibetan script, and the romanized Ladakhi is written in the version of Wylie transliteration. 

Important Lakes and Sanctuaries of Ladakh

Lakes

1. Pangong Tso is the highest salt lake in the world and the most famous lake in Ladakh; it is situated near Leh. India owns only 1/3rd of this lake, and the remaining amount belongs to Tibet. The altitude of this lake is around 13,861 feet, and the length of this lake is approximately 134km. This lake is also known as ‘Hollow Lake during winter. This lake gets frozen and hardened. This lake is famous for the gala festival for ice skating, attended by a large number of people from all around the world. The area of this lake comes under the Indian army.
2.  Tso- Moriri- this lake is situated in the changthaang area and has an altitude of around 14,836 feet. It is one of the highest-altitude lakes in the trans-Himalayan region . in 2002, the Tso Moriri was declared a wetland under the Ramsar Convection. It was formed by the melting water of ice glaciers and contained a large variety of flora and fauna. This lake is completely frozen in the winter.
3. Yarab Tso lake– is situated in the Diskit district of Nubra valley. It is one of the highest-altitude lakes in Numbra valley, and it is a crystal clear lake covered by a barren and rocky landscape. 

Sanctuaries

1. Hemis wildlife sanctuary is the highest altitude sanctuary of Ladakh, situated in the Leh district. This park contains many different types of species and medicinal plants. 

• Popular birds are- Tufted Ducks, Booted Eagle, Golden Eagle, Gadwall, Grey Plover, and Boarded Vultures.
• Popular wild animals Are -Tibetan Antelope, Shapo, Yak, Bharal, Leopards, Himalayan Mouse, Lynx, Ibex, Ladakhi Urial, and Bactrian Camels.

2. Changthang Cold Desert Wildlife Sanctuary– is located in the chang tang plateau of Ladakh. It is famous for some rare species and around 200 species of wild plants. 

• The famous birds are- Dark-necked Crane.
• Brown-headed Popular Animals are – Tibetan Wild Ass, Leopards, Gazelle, Wild Yak, Tibetan Argali, and Tibetan Wolf are the popular animals here.
• Snow leopard sighting in Ladakh is famous for the highest population of vulnerable species of snow leopard. It is renowned for the 
• Best Place for Snow Leopard Sighting: Hemis National Park has many snow leopards in Ladakh.
• Best Time for Snow Leopard Sighting: The winter months from January to March are the best time for witnessing snow leopards

The Economy of Ladakh

The population depends on agriculture. The land is irrigated by a system of channels that funnel water from the ice. The main crops are wheat and barely. Rice was usually used in the luxury diet of Ladakh, but now because of government subsidies has become a cheap staple. Naked barley is the traditional crop of Ladakh, which grows at a high altitude; the minority people of Ladakh also involve in merchants, caravan trading, textile trading, carpet making, etc. 

The Indus river that flows in the region of Ladakh is responsible for its vast hydropower, wind, and solar power potential. In addition,  limestone is obtained in very high amounts from this area and is used in cement manufacturing. Tourism is also prevalent in Ladakh and a leading income source.

Government and Administration

According to the Jammu and Kashmir reorganization Act 6, Ladakh is a union territory without a legislative assembly or elected g government. The Lieutenant governor is the head of the government, appointed by the president of India. The district of Ladakh is administered by the autonomous district council, which is given below- 

• Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, Kargil
• Ladakh Independent Hill Development Council, Leh

These councils work with village panchayat and make decisions on economic development, healthcare, education, land use, local governance, etc. The government of Jammu and Kashmir looks after law and order and the judicial system . the union territory of Ladakh has its police forces which the director general of police controls.

Conclusion

Ladakh is India’s oldest civilization, containing many different religions, traditions, and cultures. It is the most visited place on the list of all tourists due to its natural beauty and scenic view. The iconic hills, long passes, monasteries, lakes, and gardens make this place worth watching. It covers a large area of Jammu and Kashmir, India, and its simplicity has fished all over the country and even in people’s hearts. When you look, you can feel beauty and harmony spread across this place. 

People are simplistic and nature lovers; they worship nature. Most of the population is Buddhist, and all the monasteries available are the source of religious consent. It is the most remembered place due to the Kargil war. It joins the political and strategic relations of neighboring countries with each other. 

FAQs on Leh – Ladakh

Q1. Tell me the best time to visit Ladakh

Ans. It’s recommended to visit Ladakh in the summer, from March to august. And June is also a good month as all the snow melts and the whole area can be explored nicely. 

Q2. At what altitude is Ladakh situated?

Ans. Ladakh is located at 3000 meters or 9800 feet above sea level.

Q3. what is Leh famous for?

Ans. Leh is famous for its beautiful scenic view, Buddhist monasteries, temples, and natural beauty. 

Q4. What is the average travel duration each day?

Ans. The average travel duration is around 7-8 hours every day, and if you want to go to jip Leh or Leh tsomoriri, it will take approximately 8-9 hours.

Q5. Is Ladakh safe?

Ans. Ladakh is a very safe place to visit for both men and women; unlike Jammu and Kashmir, there are no such disputes against the safety of people.