Travelling Circus

Six men embarked on a tour to Ladakh, a region in India known for its rich Buddhist culture and breathtaking scenery. This region attracts many tourists, especially those interested in Buddhism, who come to explore the numerous temples and monasteries and to experience the stunning natural beauty of the area.

Ladakh is a region in the northernmost part of India, located in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. It is known for its rugged terrain, high-altitude desert landscape, and unique cultural heritage. The region has been influenced by both Hindu and Buddhist cultures, and the people of Ladakh are known for their warm hospitality and friendliness.

Ladakh is a significant Buddhist pilgrimage site, and many tourists come to explore the numerous monasteries and temples in the region. The Buddhist culture in Ladakh is deeply ingrained, and visitors can witness the daily life of the monks and nuns, listen to their chanting and prayers, and explore the ancient artifacts and murals that adorn the monasteries.

Apart from its rich cultural heritage, Ladakh is also known for its breathtaking natural beauty. The region is surrounded by towering mountains and vast stretches of barren desert, which create a unique and awe-inspiring landscape. Visitors can take in the stunning views of the landscape, trek through the rugged terrain, and visit the beautiful high-altitude lakes and rivers.

Ladakh is a must-visit destination for anyone interested in exploring the rich cultural heritage of India and experiencing the stunning natural beauty of the region. With its unique blend of Buddhism and Hinduism, Ladakh offers visitors a glimpse into a world that is both exotic and enchanting.

On the evening of October 16th, 2013, we boarded a bus from Jalandhar bus stand bound for Mande, Himachal Pradesh. We arrived at the Mande bus station around 4:30 AM and waited for an hour to catch another bus to Manali. However, upon reaching Manali, we were informed that the bus service to Ladakh had been halted a month prior. Nonetheless, there were some small vehicles that operated at night for the benefit of tourists and pilgrims. When we spoke with some taxi drivers, they mentioned that they typically operated at midnight for their own convenience, as the journey involved crossing snow-covered mountains in frigid and icy conditions. The deserted terrain added to the challenging nature of the travel. After wandering around for a bit, we met some people from Ladakh who directed us to the Ladakhpa's taxi stand. There, we negotiated with a taxi driver who had just dropped off some tourists. Despite the fact that the usual cost of a taxi from Manali to Ladakh is between two and three thousand rupees, he only charged us eight hundred each since it aligned with his return journey. We agreed to depart at 6 PM and spent the remaining few hours exploring Manali and visiting the national park. Our journey to Ladakh began at 6 PM and lasted the entire night, finally arriving at Hemis Monastery on October 18th at 11 AM. We proceeded to visit Thiksey Monastery and the town of Ladakh. At 6 PM, we decided to return as we didn't have much time left. We hired a taxi to take us to Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir state, which cost us 2500 rupees each. The taxi dropped us off at 5 AM and we then reserved another taxi to take us to Jammu for 700 rupees each. Upon reaching Jammu, we rushed to the ticket counter to purchase a bus ticket to Jalandhar. We were able to secure a ticket for the 4 PM bus and finally arrived at Jalandhar bus station at exactly 10 PM on October 19th. It was midnight by the time we made it back to our residence.

Ladakh literally means "land of high passes". It is a region of India in the state of Jammu and Kashmir that lies between the Kunlun mountain range in the north and the Himalayas to the south, inhabited by people of Indo-Aryan and Tibetan descent. The region once was a separate part of the erstwhile Kingdom of Ladakh and for almost 900 years existed as an independent kingdom. Its dynasties descended from the king of old Tibet. After 1531, it was periodically attacked by the Muslims from Kashmir, until it was finally annexed to Kashmir in the mid-19th century. The early colonizers of Ladakh included the Indo-Aryan Mons from across the Himalayan range, the Darads from the extreme western Himalayas, and the nomads from the Tibetan highlands. While Mons are believed to have carried north-Indian Buddhism to these highland valleys, the Darads and Baltis of the lower Indus Valley are credited with the introduction of farming and the Tibetans with the tradition of herding. Its valleys, by virtue of their contiguity with Kashmir, Kishtwar and Kulu, served as the initial receptacles of successive ethnic and cultural waves emanating from across the Great Himalayan range.(http://www.ladakh-tourism.net/Ladakh_History.htm)

The most remarkable aspect of our journey was spending three consecutive sleepless nights, as we spent our days sightseeing and continued our travels at night without checking into any hotels. We were incredibly fortunate to have safely passed through a cease-fire between the Pakistani and Indian armed forces in Jammu state, thanks to the blessings and prayers we received. We were all amazed by the protective power of Buddhism and expressed our gratitude to the TRIPLE GEM.