9 August. Leh Ladakh Trip - 8 - 16 Aug 24 - Shanti Stupa.

LEH - LADAKH TRIP - SHANTI STUPA..

LADAKH SHANTI STUPA

Namu Myo Ho Renge Kyo

Located at an altitude of 3,609 metres or 11,841 feet, Ladakh Shanti Stupa with the holy Buddha relics enshrined inside, is the world's highest Shanti Stupa. It symbolises World Peace. The Most Ven'ble Nichidatsu Fujii Guruji, founder of Nipponzan Myohoji Buddhist Order of Japan had built many such holy Stupas in different parts of the world. An associate of Mahatma Gandhi, Ven'ble Fujii Guruji was a recipient of the coveted "Jawaharlal Nehru Award of International Understanding" (1978).

Keeping in mind Ladakh's famed ethos of peace, harmony and tolerance, Ven'ble Kushok Bakula Rinpoche (Padma Bhushan) also known as the 'Architect of Modern Ladakh', sought one such holy Stupa in Leh. He approached Fujii Guruji in this regard while assuring him of his personal cooperation in the matter. His request was accepted by Fujii Guruji. Accordingly, Bhikshu Gyomyo Nakamura was deputed to Leh to coordinate the construction work which commenced on the Changspa Hill in Leh. Sadly, due to his advanced age, Most Ven'ble Fujii Guruji could not visit Leh

The Land Purification Ceremony of Ladakh Shanti Stupa was performed by Ven'ble Kushok Bakula Rinpoche on 8th April 1983. Among those who attended the ceremony included Shri Pinto Norbu, Minister of State for Hospitality and Protocol, Government of J&K, Shri. C. Phunsog, IAS, Deputy Commissioner of Leh, Brig. R.K. Gaur of the Indian Army, guests from Japan and other dignitaries.

H.H. The 14th Dalai Lama Tenzin Gyatso laid the Foundation Stone of Ladakh Shanti Stupa on 25th August 1985 on which day the temple attached to the Shanti Stupa was also opened by His Holiness.

On 25th August 1991 Ladakh Shanti Stupa was inaugurated by Ven'ble Thiksey Khenpo Rinpoche in the presence of guests from Nipponzan Myohoji, Japan, leaders of different religious faiths, community leaders, other dignitaries and a large number of people. Ven'ble Togdan Rinpoche Inaugurated the main prayer hall adjacent to the Ladakh Shanti Stupa.

Bulk of the construction cost of Ladakh Shanti Stupa was met by

Nipponzan Myohoji of Japan through funds provided by Buddhists in Japan and other parts of the world. People from across Ladakh including school children, government employees and social organizations under the banner of Ladakh Buddhist Association, headed by Shri Sonam Stobdan and Ladakh Gonpa Association, provided free labour (Shram-

daan) during the entire process of construction. Logistics and material support were also provided by the Leh administration and the Ministry of Defence through its local formation. The approach road to Ladakh Shanti

Stupa was constructed by the PWD which was made possible with the intervention of Mrs. Indira Gandhi, Prime Minister of India.

Ladakh Shanti Stupa is registered under the Societies Registration Act under the name and style

'Nipponzan Myohoji Shanti Stupa Leh' Execution of Ladakh Shanti Stupa project was supervised throughout by Bhikshu Gyomyo Nakamura who is also the founding President of the Society.

May Peace Prevail on Earth!

Management Committee Nipponzan-Myohoji Shanti Stupa Society, Leh.

This information is taken from the information board installed at the Shanti Stupa by ASI.

Please read the photo captions for additional information. Link to the photo album of Leh- Ladakh Trip is given below.

https://rb.gy/yypdx5

9 August. Leh Ladakh Trip - 8 - 16 Aug 24 - Leh Palace.

Leh Ladakh Trip - Leh Palace, 

Recent Trip to Leh Ladakh.

Leh Palace.

ANCIENT PALACE LEH (Gle-Chen dPal-mKhar)

Leh Palace is an architectural masterpiece and an engineering feat of the Namgyal dynasty, the second dynasty of Ladak rulers. The construction of the Palace was completed in a short span of only three years during the reign of Senge Namgyal (C.1590-1635 A.D), the most Illustrious king of Ladakh. The Palace is built in Tibetan architectural style with materials like stones, sun-dried mud bricks, wood of poplar, juniper and willow procured from different areas of Leh.

The most impressive feature of the Palace is the high-quality stonework visible in the sharp-edged corners and the gently tapering wall with horizontal timber lacing which prevents vertical cracks in the structure. The size of the window increases from a mere slit at the lower level to highly decorated overhanging balconies at the upper level. It is a great example of the style of architecture represented by Potala Palace in Lhasa (Tibet) and is the highest building of its time in the world The Palace comprises nine levels with over a hundred rooms, however, the purpose of only a few of considerable importance are known. The rooms in the lower levels served for use by staff, servants and as storage silos. The Palace is entered through

an elaborately embellished wooden portico gate known as Singe-sgo. (The Lion Gate) at level two. At level fourth is a large open courtyard known as Khatok Chenmo, a platform for social and cultural activities of the royal family as well as a royal shrine The ministers and other members were addressed by the king in the hall of audience located on fifth level in the south-east corner. The living quarters for the royal family were reserved on level sixth while for the royal apartment and chamber of the ki level seventh was used. The level eighth has few ancillary rooms in the northeast

corner and the ninth, apex level comprises of a shrine dedicated to the protector deity of the royal family.

The Palace was occupied till the time of the Dogra invasion (1834-40), after which the royal family shifted to Stok Palace. Since then, the Palace remained more or less abandoned, due to which the decay began; both man-made and natural factors played an equal role. The Palace was in a ruined state when the Archaeological Survey of India declared the edifice a Monument of National Importance in the year 1982. Since then, ASI has carried out restoration and conservation in a phased manner to consolidate the structure, thereby infusing new life in this historic monument and reviving the glory of the Palace.

The above info is taken from the Information Board installed by the Archaeological Survey Of India(ASI)

PS.

Please read the photo captions for additional information. Link to the photo album of Leh- Ladakh Trip is given below.

https://rb.gy/yypdx5

08 Aug 24. Leh ladakh Trip - 8 Aug - 16 aug 24.

LEH - LADAKH TRIP 8 AUG - 16 AUG.

Way back in 2019, we had booked a trip to Russia and the Scandinavian Countries with Kesari Travels
Then, in March, the famous COVID lockdown was ordered. Leave alone foreign tours, even going out of the house was not allowed.
Kesari informed us that they have deducted an amount of approximately 60 K, and the remaining amount was placed in a credit shell.
Eventually, when the COVID lockdown was lifted and travel was permitted, we were told that the credit shell amount could be used only for foreign travel.
By then, Priti had taken a policy decision that, due to the possibility of anything going wrong with our systems being very high, we would not be undertaking any foreign travel in future.
So we had an impasse.
Later, due to good relations with Kesari Staff, Radhika in particular, we were permitted to use the credit shell amount for domestic tours as well.
We decided to use that credit shell for the trip to Leh.
The trip was from 08 August to 16 August 2024 and from Leh to Leh. Which meant that e had to make our own arrangements to teach Leh on the 8th of August. Also make our own arrangements from Leh to return to our own place.
The total cost for both of us worked out to Rs 1,04,980/-
We booked our flights from Nagpur -Delhi - Leh.
Return was a bit involved,
Leh- Delhi. Halt 16 -19 Aug.
Delhi - Indore. Halt 21 -24 Aug.
Indore - Nagpur 25Aug 24.

08 August 2024.

Our Delhi flight departure was at 0715.     

As is our practice, we reached the airport two hours before the flight departure time. By 0530 we had checked in our luggage and also done security.                                                               The patio after the security has a nice coener, and the airport authorities make efforts to put up nice adornments to make it look attractive. This time, they had a beautiful peacock picture on display. Boarding and flight were smooth.

Landed at IGI airport and deboarded at Terminal 2.

Luckily, our next flight to Leh at 1100 was also from Terminal 2. 

After landing, we reached our departure gate by 0930, well in time. Saw a flight departing for Leh at 1000. In due time, boarded our flight and departed for Leh. Took some photos.

During the flight, we were very pleasantly surprised airhostess approached and, after wishing Priti, handed over a very nice note and a packet of Makhans.😀

Leh Ladakh Trip - 8 August to 16 August 2024.

Leh Ladakh Trip - 8 August to 16 August 2024.

These are the Google Maps screenshots of our Leh - Ladakh Trip.   

Leh Trip, This map is included just to show the start, the place where we stayed in Leh and the IGI Airport, where the trip ended.

This screenshot is just to give you an overall picture of the routes followed, hotels where we stayed, restaurants where we had food and the tourist attractions we visited. 

Photo icons indicate photos and their precise(as near as possible)  location where they were taken on the map.

 But these details can not be accessed here. They can be accessed only on the 

interactive map.

Leh Trip. Screenshot of the interactive map. This is part of the interactive map. You will see when you open it. Link to the interactive map is given in the text.

FOR INTERACTIVE MAP, GO HERE.

(for your viewing convenience, the link will open in a new tab.) 

Join Priti and me in our Leh Trip by navigating through the Google interactive map through the layers of 8th Aug and the 16th of August.

Even while driving, I have clicked photos of anything that caught my fancy, or I thought was interesting, and I have plotted the locations where these photos were taken and are indicated by a photo icon on the map. I will urge you to go through the captions of the photos as they give interesting info. 

For better viewing and less confusion, close the days layer after you have navigated through it before opening the new days layer.

How to navigate through the interactive map:

Click on the square against '08 August. Nagpur - Leh'. It will open MapOtravelogue for 8th Aug.

Unlike the map above, when the interactive map opens, it may not be centred.  

How to 'centre' the map.

Place the cursor anywhere on the map, and an icon of a palm will appear. Press the left click, and the palm icon will turn into a fist icon. With the left key pressed, move the map to the desired position. Once you are 'centred,' release the left key.

To see a particular place.

In the panel on the left of the map, click the place name you are interested in, and that place will be highlighted in the panel, and the map will move automatically to the location of the place. At the same time, a panel will also appear giving information about that place. If photos have been taken at that place, they will also appear in the same panel.
Zoom in to the max and centre it to better view the place/attraction. Every time you zoom, you may have to recenter the map.
After you have gone through the place, zoom out again before going to the next place.
HAVE A NICE TRIP.

Photographs of the whole trip are given in the shared album "Leh-Ladakh trip. 08 - 16 August. " I will urge you to go through the captions of the photos as they give interesting info. 

To go to the photo album of the Leh trip, go HERE.