It was a Sunday and last day of our trip, although we all wanted to make another attempt to Pangong Lake but could not take chances though the weather was clear but the uncertainty of Leh weather stopped us. So we thought of utilizing our day by paying homage at the War Memorial. It is located near to the Airport. This place is ‘A must Visit’ as it gives an insight about our three arms of the Defense forces and valor during all the wars fought especially the recent ‘Kargil War’. The Kargil war was fought on the highest battle field by our soldiers in the most hostile weather. The photographs of Heroes of all the wars fought since Independence. They have also kept weapons, diaries, I-cards, letters captured from Pakistanis and the clothing used by the soldiers in high altitude.
( Weapons captured at Kargil by Indian Army)
After this we went visiting Patthar Sahib Gurudwara again and decided to climb all the 456 steps to reach the hill top from where the Demon had rolled a huge rock down the hill with an intention to kill Guru Nanak Ji who was meditating while coming back from Afghanistan. Due to his holy power the rock became soft as wax and stopped on his back. The rock is still there with deep impression of Guru Nanak in a meditating position and demon’s footprint on one side which it seems was created when the demon hit it with his feet on seeing Guru Nanak Ji still alive. After which he realized mistake and fell on Guru Nanak Ji’s feet asking for forgiveness. Thence, he became a disciple of the Guru. The Gurudwara is maintained by the Indian Army. We had Guru Ka Langar and set course to Alchi via Magnetic Hill and Sangam.
(Patthar Sahib Gurudwara from Gurudwara flag post-456 steps higher on the mountain)
The Alchi Monastery (Alchi Gompa) is 70 kms from Leh, on the banks of river Indus. The route to this Gompa was very exciting. As inroute we also came across mountains which were naturally carved as pillars of a huge palace, some colourful mountains as a few were yellow and others were green, purple and orange. The road was along side of river Indus. Alchi gompa dates back to the 11th century. It is one of the oldest, largest and a famous monastery with a widely renowned collection of paintings. One of its walls features thousands of miniature-sized pictures of the Buddha. Three large sized images made of clay and painted brightly are its focal attraction. This monastery is maintained by the Monks of Likir monastery and is no longer a place for active worship. The monastery had very low doors. We had to bend very low, and for quite a distance we had to keep stooping so as not to bang the head on the small pathway to inside the Gompa. Initially the monastery was 3 storeys high but now due to the weak structure, nobody is permitted to climb up. Also an ancient ladder made of a single tree trunk, with notches as a step was used to climb.
(At Alchi Monastery)
Near Alchi Monastry is Likir Monastery located around 52 Kms from Leh know as Klu-Kkhjil (water spirits) which was founded in the 11th century AD and was rededicated to another monastic order (the yellow sect) in the 15th century. Its earlier Gompa was destroyed in fire. The present Gompa dates back to the 18th century. It contains huge clay images of Buddha's (past, present & future) and various old manuscripts. It also houses an interesting collection of thankas, old religious and domestic costumes and implements, etc. In the 15th century Lhawang Lodos Sangphu caused the monastery to flourish. This monastery also belongs to Gaylukpa School. Every year from the 17th to 19th of the 12th month the Likir festival is held.
After visiting all the monasteries, we came to know was that the offerings that people make is things that can be kept for a longer time like oil, sugar, rice, and even biscuits & toffees. They don’t offer fresh flowers instead plastic & paper flowers.
(Likir Monastery)
In all the monasteries we observed that they had made small Butter icons which last through out the year due to the cold weather & are changed only annually.
