By Anusha Singh I have just returned from a trip to Leh.
It was an extremely memorable and a learning experience.
Memorable - because my eyes feasted on the most spectacular and impressive mountain ranges of the world.
And learning - because I discovered that Leh is a beautiful land still not fully known to the world.
Leh evokes diverse reactions from people ranging from "Oh My God! How did you live in such isolation?" to "How did you survive in all that ice and desert?" leaving me highly amused if not perplexed! This prompted me to share my first hand experience of the place to dispel the above and any other similar misconceptions as well as reinforce it as nothing short of a tourists' paradise.
Firstly, as regards the ice and the cold, it is only the months from November to January, which are tough to go through due to heavy snowfall.
Rest of the year is absolutely wonderful, with May, June, July and August being the perfect summer months.
Nevertheless, even in the supposedly unbearably cold months, normal life goes on.
The Ladakhis carry on with their daily chores, the markets remain active, the Tibetan eating joints and hotels are ever welcoming.
So if the young and adventurous dare to experience Russia like weather conditions, with temperatures falling to minus forty-degree celcius (-40 C) in the winter months, Leh will embrace all with open arms.
Secondly, Leh being not just a district, but the largest district of India, has all the administrative infrastructure like the District Headquarters, Secretariat and the Ladakh District Hill Development Council.
Leh is replete with facilities like schools, hospitals, numerous book depots, ONGC pump (the highest Natural Gas plant in the World).
It also houses the world's highest golf course.
The farther reaches of Leh boast of being the world's highest motorable roads.
Thirdly, the topography of Leh is highly conducive for comfortable living.
Although perched at an altitude of 11,975 feet, it is a flat land surrounded by distant ice capped peaks as well as mustard yellow sandy mountains.
Hence, the place is free of serpentine roads, deep gorges, blind curves, accidents or landslides.
Alongside are certain fringe benefits.
The water in Leh is 'clean' in its true sense as there is no requirement for boiling or over purification before consumption.
The healthy air and bountiful flora keeps Leh totally free of diseases.
Leh Berries are famous for good digestion (being the source of the Leh Berry Juice available in the markets).
Herbal Tea of Leh is another famous drink of Leh redefining the flavor and qualities of our most loved beverage.
It is also good for weight loss.
As regards the isolation phobia, Leh is not just accessible, but more than accessible, thanks to the low cost airlines today.
For instance, a flight by Air Deccan from Delhi to Leh costs just about rupees nine hundred.
For army persons, there are Air Force IL - 76 couriers plying between Chandigarh and Leh on daily basis.
You can also reach Leh by road via Jammu - Srinagar, as also via Manali axis.
There are a number of good hotels and lodges in Leh for a comfortable stay, at affordable prices.
As for me, my family and I drove down to Leh by car from Jammu via Srinagar, Sonamarg, Drass and Kargil (with overnight halts at Srinagar and Kargil).
This is the best course for those who do not wish to tread the beaten path.
As the images of the diverse landscapes, resembling painted canvases, dance before my eyes, I can only say that the journey by road will be relished forever.
I do not wish to elaborate much on the scenic beauty of Leh as that is mostly known to all.
But yes, I do wish to delve on how extremely heartwarming the Ladakhis are.
The shopkeepers will amaze you with their genuine smiles, calmness and etiquettes.
For instance, after our shopping, the manner in which a Ladakhi shopkeeper handed over a Ten-rupee note (as change) left me more than amazed.
He held the note from both the sides with utmost care, and placed it on my hands most respectfully.
The traffic is mostly self - regulated.
A traffic policeman blowing whistles is a rare sight.
No honking, no swearing, no haggling!! For instance, our car had blocked the main market road for a while, as there was some trouble in reversing.
I was pleasantly surprised to see the sight behind us.
The other motor vehicles began queuing up patiently, without blowing a single horn, waiting for us to move on.
The market place is full of life and yet, serene.
Despite having all the physical attributes of any other busy market area, there is no trace of noise pollution, which has otherwise become a part and parcel of our daily life.
The District Prison will be mistaken for any other respectable building going by its exteriors.
It does not exude fear.
Leh is a land not just of mountains and rivers, but also promises a spiritually enriching experience being the center of Tibeto-Buddhist culture.
The physical manifestations of it are the Gompas (monasteries), the most famous being the Thikse Gompa ( 560 years old), the museum of Tibetan culture and traditions, the Hall of Fame exhibiting Leh's military history apart from its cultural heritage, the Kali Mandir, the Shey Palace, the Sindhu Temple, art Emporiums and the handicraft shops.
Leh is a wonderful confluence of scenic beauty, religion as well as modern urban living.
And if you have time, the Tso - Mori Lake, located on the far eastern end of Leh, beckons you.
I am very proud of the fact that, despite a stark difference in culture between the inhabitants of Leh i.e.
the Ladakhis and the visitors, who are mostly North or South Indians, or foreigners the Ladakhis welcome all with utmost warmth exuberating optimism and happiness.
Leh is an embodiment of the true spirit of India, silently contributing towards the preamblic goal of fraternity.
It has made me even more proud to be an Indian.
Leh offers you more than what you know.
In fact, may be, a lot more than what even I know! Leh, the "Roof Of The World" is for all to explore....
go ahead and take the plunge!
