Leh’s transformative beauty

Leh is a seeker's cynosure and an artist's inspiration. It is a paradise that must be experienced to be believed. When my husband got posted to Ladakh we were ecstatic to call this El Dorado our home for two years.

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At its almost surreal altitude, Leh almost felt close to heaven — from its multi-hued mineral-rich mountain ranges, to crystal clear streams, from tangerine sunsets and vanilla twilights to magical moonlit dusks and bright sunny days, the divinity was unmissable. The simple nature of the locals and their culture was heart-warming, as were the chants of the monks and the soothing sounds of the gyaling. Leh’s monasteries, palaces, and chortens were not just architectural marvels but quiet reminders of time, devotion and serenity.

Across its barren valleys, hundreds of fluttering prayer flags, prayer wheels and gompas at every turn, invited us to pause and reflect.

The majestic Karakoram range against an ethereal blue canopy presented enthralling frames. The stunning landscape would have something new to say each time.

The towering metaphorical presence of the Buddha infused a sense of calmness in me. Leh didn’t just give me stories, it remains etched forever into the fabric of my being.

Soumita Khanna, Chandigarh