Leh Ladakh - Where Gods Meditate

18/05/2017

http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/srinagar-leh-highway-reopens-after-winter-break/story-ROOJ93it5IKjKTEpOuayTO.html

The highway was jointly thrown open for the traffic by Lieutenant General J S Sandhu, General-Officer-Commanding of the Srinagar-based 15 Corps and Lieutenant General P J S Pannu,...

03/03/2017

http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/jammu-kashmir/ladakh-worried-over-costly-air-travel-ahead-of-tourist-season/371235.html

JAMMU: With Ladakh bracing up to host domestic and foreign tourists, the exorbitant air travel to the arid region continues to be a cause for worry for all stakeholders as the Civil Aviation Ministry is yet to make a formal commitment on “rationalisation of airfares” for Ladakh during peak tourist s...

27/10/2016

| Emptying Ladakh |

I come from a place where "Occupying" is an overwhelming phenomenon. For me occupying could be anything from a local train to Anna Hazare campaign. And then I suddenly meet a cheerful, pink faced shy kid who wishes me "Juley". And I smile back to this folklore. And I know I have reached a land of dreams. “Juley Ladakh”

Although there was lot I read and saw on internet about Leh Ladakh but all the mental make-up gets diminished as one approaches the huge red- ochre mountain passes. My journey of Leh- Ladakh is more about a conflict between occupying and emptying. It more begins with an occupied mind and empties in the vastness of grazing lands and in the large green valleys.

Leh- Ladakh delights you with its red purple rocks which were moulded under snow, wind and sun. These moulds emerge as silent fortress through which wind blows. These are faith winds which connects the entire landscape. Dry cold winds travel all the way from the snow clad mountain to the lower slopes of villages. They flutter the prayer flags. Blue, Yellow, Red, Green flags tied on every rooftop, wooden bridges. These flags decorate temples and ornate the stone clad Ghompas and monastery. These winds pray and instil faith, goodwill in all the empty alley of Ladakahi villages.

As I sit on the stone ledge my mind settles down on these primary colours in the landscape. The deep blue sky, huge ochre rock faces and gradually peeping river from the high green plains. This valley gifts you a silence. A stillness is sensed in the windless air. Somewhere away thousand feet away one see a small path on which sheep graze. You find tiny flowers and green shades in the fractured stone crevices.

All these imageries silently emerge. They neither have a reason nor have specified time in which they would mature. All of them are elemental in nature. They exist in their own spirit. A sense of emptiness then creeps in mind.

As I open my window tomorrow I would find another glass building, traffic, and people running to their offices. A journey to Leh gives you a chance to open your eyes and experience a different awareness. It allows one to understand faith, emptiness, hope and goodwill.

- Amrut Abhyankar

Picture Credits : Ameya Phansalkar

25/10/2016

Hello from these enchanting lands :)

In the hustle bustle of life, I found solace in the hills. I came back but left a part of me. Now, it must be roaming somewhere in between those snow caped mountains, soaking in the pleasure of being with nature in its purest form. Every now and then, I long to meet that part of myself.

Every time I travel, it ends with notes of gratitude, love, serenity and self love. And this is what keeps me going until I plan to reach another destination, another place where I could leave a part of myself only to be discovered yet again.

- Neharika Sethi Mehra

23/10/2016

Soothe your eyes and spend a wonderful Sunday!

Picture Credits : Ameya Phansalkar

| Ladakh |

'I love to travel'.

It sounds as if I have been to 20 different countires or places, which isn't the case but wherever I have been to, I have managed to soak the essence of that place.

Ladakh is a dream destination for every Indian traveller. It was mine too! I always wanted to plan it exlusively and plan it big. And we did too! 11 days, 15 people. Yeah !!

What a place! Land of high passes, magical monasteries and wonderful people. I believe it's the people who make a certain place look even better and Ladakh isn't the exception.

I have a different taste when it comes to travelling. I stay in camps, take home stays, experience their culture closely - what they wear, what they eat, how they live. I take the random road, walk to where it takes me, meet new people, try to know them closely. Travelling is all about this. You need not try and find the destination but let it find you. Isn't it always better to stay under 100 billion stars than in a 5 star plush hotel?

Travelling makes you humble. It keeps you on your foot. It makes you realize WHAT A SMALL PART YOU ARE OF THIS GIGANTIC UNIVERSE.

So travel ! See new places, meet new people. Memories are everything. I have not been able to overcome the Ladakh hangover even though it has been 16 months. Ladakh is magical ! Ladakh is heaven !

20/10/2016

Stroll in the Leh Main Market :)

Picture Credits : Ameya Phansalkar

Stroll in the Leh market :)

16/10/2016

Prisma Series : ३

Photo Credits : Ameya Phansalkar

13/10/2016

Swag :)



Picture Credits : Ameya Phansalkar

11/10/2016

Prisma series : २

Picture Credits : Ameya Phansalkar

07/10/2016

One of our most famous post. By the photographer himself :)

“Travel makes one modest. You see what a tiny place you occupy in the world.”

– Gustave Flaubert