Leh Trip- Day 5

19 May 07

Every one was excited on the fifth day as we were to go to Pangong Tso Lake (154 Kms from Leh) a 130 Kms long lake which is 25% in Indian Territory and 75% in China. We were also to climb the Garnet Hill were, one can find Garnets of various size and shapes. All of us got ready by 0700 Hrs but the weather was packing up and we could see snowing at Khardungla Peak/Hill on the opposite side. However we pressed on and hoped for the best. We had to cross Changula Pass(13,800ft) on the way approximately 70 Kms from Leh. As we were about to reach the snow covered Changula pass, it started snowing initially in the form of fine flakes, which soon changed to snow. We stopped and took some beautiful photographs and videos and continued our journey. The weather God seemed not so happy with our programme and soon we came across vehicles coming from opposite direction, who informed us that due to landslide, it was not possible to proceed further and they were returning back to Leh. We were all disappointed and wanted to hold on for some time but the experienced driver cautioned us to return back as landslides in such weather are common and we can get stuck in the hills for days. So we had no choice but to return back with a heavy heart, but not before spending some time in the open skies some 13,000 feet above the sea level with heavy snowfall. We took some beautiful photographs and a few video shots of snowfall.

(Me and Dad enjoying the snowfall on the way to Pangong Tso)

On our way back, we had our breakfast near a stream with crystal clear water and there we also saw the farmers ploughing their fields with Yaks. They were singing and talking to the yaks.

We then visited Chemrey Monastery which was located on a very high mountain. The Chemrey Monastery is 45 km from Leh, situated in a picturesque valley leading to Changia, this gompa was constructed as a funeral act of merit on Sengge Namgyal's death in 1645. A large collection of scriptures with title pages in sterling silver and the text in gold letters is kept here. Close by is a cave monastery reputed to have been the abode of Padma Sambhav during one of his periods of meditation. Here we saw some of the old Thankas (Wheel of Time) which were torn and we could see very old manuscripts peeping out. We were told by our driver, that people make thankas on fulfillment of their wishes and precious stones, gold, silver etc are kept along with the manuscripts in it. These are to be rotated clockwise signifying that life/time goes on. It also signifies the Kal chakra.

(Potraits of Buddha)

( Wheel of life with manuscripts coming out)

Next stop was Stok Palace. The palace of the banished royal family dates back to the mid 19th century. In the museum they had different sections for period costumes and precious jade jewelry of the royalty, head gears, arms and armor, cutlery and utensils, their throne which was to cater for small built kings of the region, stuffed animals. The Palace museum also has on display interesting historical objects like coins, seals and porcelain. Also of interest here was a sword, which was knotted as a display of anger & strength by one of the royals. It also has a small monastery along with exquisite thankas representing the life of the Sakya Muni Buddha. The Royal family still continues to live here.

(Stok Palace)