Places To See In Ladakh
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Padum
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Padum the capital of the ancient kingdom
of Zanskar, Padum (3505 m) is the present
day administrative headquarters of the region.
Padum is administrative headquarters of the region.
With a population of nearly 1500, Padum can be described
as the most populous settlement of Zanskar, otherwise
a very scarcely inhabited valley.
Incidentally, it is
only in Padum that there is a community of Muslims constituting
nearly half the township's population, its origin in the
area dating from mid 17th century. Lately, Padum has become
a famous as a major trekking base and a popular tourist
destination. Several places of tourist interest in the
vicinity of the township can be visited in the course
of entertaining walks. The nearest monument is a set of
ancient rock carving on a huge boulder near the river
bank, just below the old township. These dates from the
8th century and provide epigraphic evidence that the region
was under the influence of North Indian Buddhism since
ancient times. The Starrimo Monastery with about 30 resident
monks clings to a tree-covered ridge above the old town.
Across the expanse of cultivation lies the old village
of Pibiting, dominated by its picturesque hilltop monastery,
a superb manifestation of stupa architecture.
How
to Reach:
The 240 km long Kargil-Padum road, of which the first
90 km stretch is paved, remains opened from around mid
July to early November. The J&K SRTC operates a thrice
weekly B-class bus service from Kargil. However groups
can charter A-Class or even Super-Deluxe buses to visit
Zanskar, including the interior places of interest like
Stongdey, Zangla and Karsha. Jeeps and Gypsy taxis can
also be hired at Kargil. During June and early July, prior
to opening of the road, it is recommended to walk into
Zanskar from panikhar or Parkachik onwards.
