Leh

Leh,The capital of Ladakh. Lies nestled among low hills on the north side of Indus valley, between Stok mountains to the south and the Ladakh range to the north. For centuries it has been place where travelers of different nations have rested, before continue over the mountains along the ancient trade routes that radiate from the city. Its tiny speck of freshness in a hollow between monotonous grey slopes at a transition from desert to greenery. Leh is rightly at an altitude of 3505 Meters with the population of about 25,000 people. Leh is a jigsaw of terraced roofs and houses jammed again one another.The bazer cuts the town in two; this main artery reaches out from the center to the enormous Royal Palace.Built into rock,the palace dominates the whole countryside.the mosque used by the Muslim at the far end of the bazar.In the narrow lanes are small eating place.

Places to visit around Leh

Leh Palace:-
The imposing multi-storey edifice juts out of the slopes of Tsamo Hill overlooking the town.It was built by a king named Tashi Namgail in the 16th century—about the same time as the great Potala Palace in Lhasa.Part of the palace was damaged during the Kashmiri invasion in the 19th century. The upper floors  were used by royalty, while the store rooms and stables took up the lowers floors. Later in 2013 place was bought by the Archaeological Survey of India and restored the whole palace in the same ancient architecture design and now one can reach to every corner of the Palace. The Avalokiteshwara temple,built in the 18th century,lies to the east of the palace.the statue of the Avalokiteshwara stands at  the head of the assembly hall. The steep climb to the palace is wroth the effort as it offers a panoramic view of the town below.Below the Palace the Old town is full of traditional architecture and many house holds have retained some of their rural values, keeping livestock in their backyards and drying fodders on the roofs.

Sankar Gompa:-
Just 3 km from Leh,it has a formidable collection of miniature statues of pure gold and a exciting paintings.It is well lit and may be visited in the evening as well;open to the public from 6 am to 8 am and from 6 pm to 7 pm. This colorful gompas belong to Spituk and is the residency of their KUSHOK. You can get to the gompa by taking the stream side path just before the Chubie road.

Shati Stupa:-
Visible from most of the town , this new stupa was officially open in 1985.The peace Pagoda is part of the legacy of the Japanese fujii Guru Ji who ,as part of his mission to promote world peace through Buddhism ,build Pagodas and tramples all over the world.It stands above Changsps overlooking Leh and the Indus valley. One can reach to Shanti sutpa by haring taxi from the local taxi stand and also can be reached by walking up the 554 steps on stairs.The stupa may be a bit garish but the views are spectacular.

Namgyal Tso Mo:-
Namgyal peak is crowned by the now ruined Fort of Tashi Namgyal that sits high above the palace, along with the Gonkhang and the Maitreya Temple. Some of the best views of the locality are from this vantage point. The Red Gonkhang was built in the16th century by Tashi Namgyal and is where he offered the bodies of the deafened Mongols to the deities. There portrait of the king here, in which he’s seen drinking Chang. Just below the building is the temple of the Maitreya which may date from the last king of Leh, king Takbumde.
There are various ways up to peak; the most straightforward is to follow the steep path that can be seen snaking down from underneath the buildings. Visit early in the morning to avoid the heat and to be certain that you’ll find a monk there who can show you around.

Jamia Masjid:-
This Sunni mosque is at the end of the main bazar. The muezzin’s call to prayer soon becomes a familiar sound as it drifts out across the town. The threat of military action by the Muguhal Emperor Aurangzeb prompted king Deldan Namgyal to build the mosque in about 1661.The building, which is in the Ladakhi style of architecture, can accommodate more than 500 people. It’s open throughout the day but try to avoid visit during prayer times. Shoes must be removed and women should cover their arms, legs and hair.

Spitok Monastery
10km along the kargil road from Leh,on a hilltop overlooking the Indus, boasts not only of some prized thankhas but also a chamber with enormous statues of Kali, Whose faces are unveiled but once a year.The chamber contains an ancient collection of face masks as well.