“Traveling- it leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller"- Ibn Battuta” .
We
leave in a wonderful world that is so full of beauty,charm and adventure. There
is no end to the adventures we can have if only we can seek them with our eyes
open.Travelling is one of the most affirming
things we can do to ourselves. Travel makes me happier. It inspires me to be a
better person. But what inspires me to travel?
Initially, I traveled in holidays for vacations to lose myself , to have a break from the daily chores..and then next there
came a time when I travel to find myself .Its
a journey you make into yourself. As Kate Douglas Wiggins puts it, “There is a kind of
magic about going far away and then coming back all changed.” Its not
about seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes.; a new way of seeing
things. That is the magic which inspires me.
Today I will be talking one such magic
which I have not yet felt but its on my list .You must be wondering why do I chose to
write about a place where I have not been yet but I am so much enthralled by it that
somewhere virtually I have lived that magic. I will share a story which I want
to live .That enchanting place is Ladakh- a crowning glory. Among the popular destinations that attract travelers are
the lakes at Pan gong and Tso Moriri, the scenic valleys of Nubra and Zanskar,
some of the highest motor able passes in the world (Khardung La and Chang La), ancient monasteries along with crucial places of historical and military
significance such as Drass, Kargil,Siachen and Turtuk.
Rustic charm :
When you enter the kingdom of heaven, you are fascinated by the beauty and breathtaking expanse of
the arid high altitude Himalayan landscape. Ladakh has its own appeal. When you’re
about to reach Ladakh, the very first sight of magnificent mountains greeting
you with their silent white faces brings a twinkle to your eyes. Just imagine
looking down on a silent, placid, greenish blue lake – beautiful, isn’t it?
. It's a world of rugged valleys, snow-covered mountains, endless
hills, barren lands, clean and curvy roads and the mystical Lamas where centuries
old monasteries have still maintained their charm. The confluence of the Indus
and the Zanskar rivers is
a rare sight. One can clearly differentiate between the two waters from a
distance.
Nubra Valley :-
We have seen snow capped mountains, we
have seen deserts, and we have seen colorful gardens, but all three at the same
place?and That is Nubra Valley for you, otherwise called Valley of Flowers by
those who have visited it and swear that it is the most beautiful place in the
world. Surrounded by the snow capped Himalayan peaks, with the Siachin Glacier
feeding the Siachin river on one side, The roads leading up to the valley(Khardungla Pass) is one
of the highest motorable points on Earth. The valley itself is home to a
wondrous variety of flora, covering the entire area in a riot of colors during
spring. And not far from this marvellous natural garden, you find sand dunes.
Yes, sand dunes in the mountains, complete with camels! That too the rare
variety, the two humped Bactrian camels. Believe me, there are no words to
describe the beauty of this place. You just have to take it all in, and
preserve them preciously in the confines of your heart. For there they will
remain, ever-colorful and awesome, as the memories of the experience of a life
time.
Pangong Lake :-
The most talked about (and not without
reason!) attraction of Ladakh is the Pangong Lake which undoubtedly is one of
the most peaceful places on this planet.Can the
sound of a duck moving on water ever be distinctly audible? Yes, only at the Pangong Lake ! Its like a blue gem in
between brown and yellow mountains all around! It looks like a painting,
completely unreal and out of this world. The colours are so vibrant and
stunning, its completely unbelievable that such a place can exist in this world!
Here you can stand knowing that across the turquoise waters lie the mountains
of an even more isolated and gorgeous land – Tibet.
Apart from the sight seeing that nature
offers , what makes a place memorable is its people.
The people and culture :-
The villages in Ladakh have the charm of
being in a fairy land .The shy people are a charm to befriend for when opened
up they exude the warmest of hospitality and welcome .Ladakh is a place
thriving with a rich artistic and cultural vibe. The old and ancient
monasteries are excellent specimens of century old Tibetan architecture. The
monasteries are also important educational, cultural and spiritual centers .There is lot to learn from the
Ladakhis. The way they fight against difficult conditions and to live within limited resources and still they
celebrate life with zeal and gaiety.
To conclude, I would just say, Its there on my cards .
You too pack
your bags . Ladakh awaits you.
Sair kar duniya ki ghalib, zindgaani fir kahan,
Zindgaani agar rahi toh, naujawani fir kahan..
