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Ladakh: Life on India’s northern frontiers

The mountainous region, bordered by Pakistan and China, is one of the last remaining homes of South Asian Buddhism.

Camels walk across white sand dunes with the Diskit Monastery, the oldest and largest Buddhist monastery in Nubra Valley, in the distance. Nearby is the Siachen Glacier, over which both India and Pakistan claim sovereignty.
Camels walk across white sand dunes with the Diskit Monastery, the oldest and largest Buddhist monastery in Nubra Valley, in the distance. Nearby is the Siachen Glacier, over which both India and Pakistan claim sovereignty.
By 
Arko Datto
5 Jul 2013

Ladakh, nestled in the northernmost realms of India between the Kunlun and Himalaya mountain ranges, is one of the last remaining strongholds of Buddhism in South Asia.

While most Ladakhis practice Tibetan Buddhism, a minority of Shia Muslims also live in the region. Although Ladakh is administratively part of India’s state of Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh is culturally and religiously separate, leading some to call for it to be an entirely separate territory.

Buddhism has been practiced in Ladakh for almost two millenia. Many Tibetan refugees who fled Chinese persecution have made neighbouring Ladakh their home, reinforcing the predominantly Buddhist traditions in the region.

India claims the disputed region of Aksai Chin to be a part of Ladakh, though it is de facto administered by China as part of the Xinjiang Automomous Region. The region has been in the news in recent months after reports that Chinese soldiers made an incursion into the disputed border area.

Monks at a monastery in Chamthang in eastern Ladakh.
Monks at a monastery in Chamthang in eastern Ladakh.
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The disputed Line of Actual Control, a 4,000km border India shares with China, is a mere half hour away from the Shachukul Monastery.
The disputed Line of Actual Control, a 4,000km border India shares with China, is a mere half hour away from the Shachukul Monastery.
Wall decorations in the Hemis Monastery, re-established in Ladakh in 1672.
Wall decorations in the Hemis Monastery, re-established in Ladakh in 1672.
Young monks in Chumathang, near the region of Aksai Chin, which is disputed by China and India.
Young monks in Chumathang, near the region of Aksai Chin, which is disputed by China and India.
Buddhist prayer flags are raised over Leh, Ladakh, an area where a considerable number of Tibetans fleeing Chinese persecution have found refuge in India.
Buddhist prayer flags are raised over Leh, Ladakh, an area where a considerable number of Tibetans fleeing Chinese persecution have found refuge in India.
Festival dancers prepare to perform unique dances that focus on the victory over evil at the Shachukul Monastery.
Festival dancers prepare to perform unique dances that focus on the victory over evil at the Shachukul Monastery.
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People participate in the mask dance festival, which celebrates the victory of good over evil, at Shachukul Gustor. 
People participate in the mask dance festival, which celebrates the victory of good over evil, at Shachukul Gustor. 
The mask dance festival is attended by young spectators each year.
The mask dance festival is attended by young spectators each year.
Monks run for shelter upon the outbreak of a sudden windstorm in Chumathang, Ladakh.
Monks run for shelter upon the outbreak of a sudden windstorm in Chumathang, Ladakh.
A chorten, or stupa, in Mulbekh, a region marking the frontier between Buddhist Ladakh and predominantly Muslim Kashmir.
A chorten, or stupa, in Mulbekh, a region marking the frontier between Buddhist Ladakh and predominantly Muslim Kashmir.
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