Ladakh - journey within to find oneself

by Gayatri Parundekar (India)

A leap into the unknown India

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Ladakh - a mesmerizing experience To be true , everyone's life is a beautiful journey into the unknown . Each and every moment of human life is an exploration of the unknown and self growth . A life which is lived into an adventure is a greater celebration than any . No stress of future and past,just to live in this moment is a gift .Pertaining to the above lines ,I too had a beautiful journey into the unknown and unexplored part of India - Mother India !!! Famously known as Ladakh - the silencing beauty of the Kashmir comprising of the Leh and Kargil areas, mighty in their own aspects. Starting with the beautiful memories of June 2018 ……….I wanted some relaxation from the daily routine and chores , so a silent and peaceful destination called Ladakh was added into my list of exploring places.Google gave me a virtual experience initially which enhanced my senses and excitement to land into the place along with my family. Finally after lots and lots of plannings and opting for the tour managers we peacefully landed on the lands of Ladakh . The eye catching view of the snow clad-den mountains from the flight , hold my breaths for a while and let me to engulf in my own . Particulary,being a silence lover I patted on my back to chose the correct destination.On the very first day the tour hosts escorted us in their " Ladakhi Goucha " a woolen robe especially worn by men over there.The cold temperature made my hands go freeze and it arised my quench for something hot .The hot vapour smell of the traditional "Kahawa-a saffron drink" cached my attention for the time.We all enjoyed hot sips of it and started our journey in the beautiful hills. Typically,we had planned a 6 day tour which comprised of the three main tourist spots : Leh,Nubra Valley and Pangong lake.Being a blend of Tibetan, Indian and Buddhism culture we come across the diversified signature beauty of all three. Ladakh being a high altitude place, I had somewhat breathing problems so it was recommended to keep camphor tabs with us to avoid such emergency conditions.Starting with our first day , we kept it as a rest time to get comfortable with the cold weather.Roaming into the busiest civil streets and having a market tour was the first day schedule of us.Looking through varied cultural species and ornaments , with the woolen pashminas and shawls.The things were too expensive pricingly and qualitatively.The night we enjoyed a hot dinner with Kashmiri spicy food and kahawa drink which let us sleep peacefully with the excitement of other day journey in Ladakh and other places. The next day schedule included the Leh sight seeing and visiting the famous Hemis monastery , Shanti Stupa ,general Zorawar fort. The places were really beautiful and the view of Leh city form hemis monastery is a view long lived for.The photography seekers hanker for this special view and travel from long distances to click it up.The day ended very quick as the sunset timings were early. The third day was a long journey by Leh roads reaching to Nubra valley via Khardungla Pass , the highest altitude range in India 5359 meters.In my life ,it was the best road trip I say.We clicked the best pose ever near the army board of highest figures and counting as one of the best achievements into my adventure list. The fourth day,comprised of Nubra valley sightseeing .A well known trekking spot and having biggest monastery called "Diskit" .Camel rides in the desert of Hunder were windblowing. The fifth day journey and concluding destination was of Pangong lake,a lakeside camping experience and the famous shooting place of Indian big bang film : "Three Idiots".The lake was 160 km stretch from Leh .The mesmerizing and silencing beauty of Pangong lake made me to look within and relieved me from worldly stress and daily challenges I went through. Concludingly , leaving the place brought tears in my eyes ,made me remember that our challenges are tiny as compared to nature's power and having control on our mind and being grateful for every moment it gives us is a beautiful learning from the Nature. Finding yourself in this journey is essential life skills to be mastered