Overview

In Ladakh, people irrespective of age and religion communicate with each other with one word ‘jullay!'. Jullay becomes an inseparable part of the people who visit Ladakh and once the beautiful wrinkled faces of the old people greet you with their simple and elegant way of ageing, sending their message of love, tolerance and happiness to the world, this word will be written into your heart. Ladakh holds most of its festivals in the glorious winter and apart from the bone chilling cold, the harsh winter makes no effect on the enthusiasm of the Ladakhi people at all.

Ladakh is located in the far north of India, lying between the eastern Karakorum range and the Himalayas. It is not only one of the world's most beautiful places but one of the most strategic due to its location on the cross roads of high Asia - sitting between China, India and Pakistan. Ladakh is still perceived as the last 'Shangri-La' because of its remoteness, beauty and culture. Not open to the western world until 1974, it has since become a magnet for scholars, researchers, trekkers, mountaineers and artisits who come to immerse themselves in the monasteries, festivals, high altitude lakes and valleys, the unique flora and fauna and, of course, the adventure and secrets of the high mountain ranges.

Leh is one of the last regions where Tibetan Buddhism is practiced in its original setting. Buddhism originally entered Ladakh through Kashmir, but it seems that the earliest of the Buddhist monasteries in Ladakh were founded under direct Tibetan inspiration.  Although predominantly Buddhist, Leh also has an ethnically strong Muslim population (17%). The district of Kargil holds mainly a Muslim population with a small Buddhist population confined to Wakha, Mulbek (where the 12 metre stone carved Gandra art Matreya Buddha statue is located) and Zanskar where the Bodhisattva of the western world was born.