TRAVELOGUE: A TRIP TO LADAKH

First Glimpse of Paradise The moment the plane descended over Leh, I knew I was about to step into a world unlike any other. From above, the mountains of Ladakh stretched endlessly- brown, barren, and majestic snow-capped mountains. I had seen photographs before, but nothing prepared me for the raw beauty that greeted me. Monasteries and Mountains At 11,500 feet above sea level, even walking  felt like an achievement! I spent my first day simply acclimatizing, sipping butter tea at a local cafe and watching monks and travellers pass by. The fluttering prayer flags and the soft hum of chants from nearby monasteries filled the air with serenity. My first stop was Thiksey Monastery, perched high on a hill. Its whitewashed walls, golden stupas, and the massive statue of Maitreya Buddha left me awestruck. The silence inside the monastery was almost meditative. Later, I visited Shey Palace and Stok Museum, which offered glimpses of Ladakh’s royal heritage and Buddhist traditions. The loc...