Every land holds its secrets in its hidden corners. The most stunning stories from Ladakh are still unheard secrets. Its culture is still an unsolved enigma for many. Here are 15 deepest secrets of the Himalayan wonderland that the locals would rather keep to themselves.
Cover Image Credits: Roberto Santini
1. In 1971, the war with Pakistan was paused to celebrate Losar
Colonel Chewang Rinchen captured Turtok and suddenly decided to pause the war with Pakistan, keeping in mind local sentiments on Losar. Colonel Rinchen also received the Mahavir Chakra at the age of 17 and the army renamed Corps lecture Hall after him in 2006 as Rinchen Auditorium near Leh Airport.
Image Credits: wikimedia
2. Kung Fu nuns of Ladakh
Every morning at the Drukpa nunnery in Ladakh the nuns dress up in pyjamas and yellow sashes and the voice of their hee-yaas echo across the serene hills. The kung fu nuns are figures of a new age in the 800 year old Drukpa buddhist sect.
Image Credits: wikimedia
3. Shrine of OP baba
At the Siachen Basecamp, the shrine of OP Baba is a sacred corner to celebrate the well-being of the soldiers. Named after soldier OM Prakash who single-handedly fought the attack on Malaun, the shrine is a place where the soldiers pledge to give up alcohol and tobacco during their posting in Saichen.
Image Credits: majorkalsiclasses
4. Magnetic Hill
If you turn off your car engine at the Magnetic Hill, it will still keep moving. 30km from Leh on the Kargil Highway, you can see the unbelievable happen for real.
Image Credits: wikimedia
5. Rocks of Viagra
The magic drug which oozes out of the rocks in Ladakh is gold for your body if you know what Shilajit is. It burns fat, increases bone strength and is most importantly used for treating infertile couples.
Image Credits: wikimedia
6. Entombed bodies of Mongols in temple foundation
The abode of the royal family of Ladakh, the Leh Palace, was built by Sengge Namgyal in 1600AD. It is believed that he entombed the bodies of Mongol invaders in the temple's foundation to ward off future attacks.
Image Credits: wikimedia
7. Druk White Lotus School
Around 200 pupils travel by bus to this school everyday and receive the best in class education maintaining rich cultural traditions of Tibetan Buddhism. With passive solar heating, gravity feed water system and seismic design and safety, the school passes all test of sustainability and has received international acclaim for its design.
Image Credits: dwls
8. Lovers fleeing to Leh
In this silent corner of India, a religious conflict would be the last thing you would expect but often when a Buddhist falls in love with a Muslim, the two communities don't take it well. There are numerous stories of couples from villages fleeing to Leh to find their love haven.
Image Credits: Praveen
9. Indian army training people to build homestays
To promote rural entrepreneurship in Ladakh, the Indian Army is promoting the efforts of the locals to build comfortable homestays. To help the local economy, the army also sources their fruits and vegetables from the local farmers.
Image Credits: Laura Blankenship
10. Find a Marmot to cuddle
Do you wish to find a pet midst this calm landscape? Around Khardung La and Tso Moriri you can trace Himalayan marmots from the road. These tiny things love to cuddle and are quite friendly.
Image Credits: Wikipedia
11. The myth of Tso Kar
The locals believe that millions of years back a devil drank up from the overflowing Tso Kar. And when he drank more than he could, he spluttered the water all over and thus formed Regul Tso and Starspapukh.
Image Credits: Wikimedia
12. Road across Khardungla
18 men lost their lives in building the highest motorable road at Khardung La. The construction of Bailey Bridge on this glaciated patch is unique in the sense that its ends rest on hard ice and it is also the highest bridge in the world.
Image Credits: Ajay Panachickal
13. The tradition of the order
It's a Ladakhi tradition to send the youngest child of the family to join the monastery. Though with dwindling tradition the practice is no longer common but teenagers voluntarily join the order.
Image Credits: Sharada Prashad CS
14. Blow a conch to call 120 lamas for lunch at Karsha Monastery
Finding no other way to round them up, the lamas assemble at the sound of the conch during lunch and dinners. There can be no other way to signal the call to 120 resident lama in the 30 buildings spread all over the hill slope.
Image Credits: Wikimedia
15. Where the snake king slept
Buddhists believe that the snake king Jokpo slept at the Likir Gompa. The word Likir is derived from lukhgil which means coiled snake. It is one of the richest and most influential gompas in Ladakh.
Image Credits: Fulvio Spada
There are beautiful stories waiting to sweep you off your feet. Explore, dream and say yes to great stories in life.
Share this with someone who is dreaming of a Ladakh trip and gift them new grounds to explore.
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