About Leh

Information about Leh

Leh was the capital of the Himalayan realm of Ladakh, now the Leh District in the state of Jammu and Kashmir, India (Leh District, with an area of 45,110 km2, is the second largest district in the country - after Kutch, Gujarat - in terms of area). The town is still conquered by the now ruined Leh Palace, previous mansion of the royal family of Ladakh, built in the similar style and about the similar time as the Potala Palace. Leh is at an height of 3524 metres (11,562 ft), and connects via National Highway 1D to Srinagar in the southwest and to Manali in the south via Leh-Manali Highway.

Best time to visit Leh

Leh is one among the two districts of Ladakh. The weather is very cold and unkind during winters, thus causing frost bites. The best time to visit Leh is from June to September.

Leh is a gorgeous city which remains inaccessible for most part of the year. Due to the erratic nature of the climate, tourists are advised to carry woolens. The passes to reach Leh remains open only from the months of June till September.

Leh State

Leh now the Leh District in the state of Jammu and Kashmir, India

Leh District

Leh is one of the two districts situated in Ladakh, the other being the Kargil District to the west, in the state of Jammu and Kashmir, India. With an area of 45,110 km2, it is the second largest district in the country (after Kutch, Gujarat) in terms of area. It is surrounded on the north by Ghanche District (Gilgit-Baltistan), a small border with Xinjiang, China, by the Karakoram Pass which is part of the district. Aksai Chin and Tibet are to the east, Kargil district to the west, and Lahul and Spiti to the south.

Leh Area

It has an area of 45,110 km2 and it is the second largest district in the country in terms of area

Leh population

As of 2001 India census, Leh town had a population of 27,513. Males make up 61% of the population and females 39%, due to a large presence of non-local labourers, traders and government employees

Leh std code

Thw Leh std code is 01982

Leh Language

The Ladakhi language also called Bhoti, is the predominant language in the Leh district of Ladakh, India.

Leh pincode

194101

History of Leh

On trade routes along the Indus Valley between Tibet, Kashmir and also between India and China, Leh was a significant stopover for centuries. The major goods carried were salt, grain, pashm or cashmere wool, charas or cannabis resin from the Tarim Basin, indigo, silk yarn and Banaras brocade.

Tibetan prince, Skyid lde nyima gon (or Nyima gon), who was grandson of the anti-Buddhist Tibetan king, Langdarma (r. c. 838 to 841) occupied Western Tibet. He founded several towns and it appears that he ordered the construction of the main sculptures at Shey. "In an inscription he says he had them made for the religious profit of the Tsanpo (the dynastical name of his father and ancestors), and of all the people of Ngaris (Western Tibet). This shows that by now in this generation Langdarma's opposition to Buddhism had moved out." Shey, just 15 km east of modern Leh, was the ancient seat of the Ladakhi kings.

Leh Weather

Leh is one of the two districts of Ladakh. The leh weather is very cold and harsh during the time of winter season. The best season to enjoy in Leh weather is from the month of June to September. Winter season are very cold and snowfall are common in such time, and making it very unwelcoming weather for visiting this place. During this season, the mercury level comes down to very well below 0°C and the whole area is covered with snow. Summer season is the best time to visit. The temperature of leh is very cool and increases upto to 33°C. Monsoon is not limited to any particular season as irregular rainfall may occur at any time.

Leh Culture

The demeanour of the people is affected by their religion, especially among the women. Among the Buddhists, as also the Muslims of the Leh area, women not only work in the house and field, but also do business and interrelate freely with men other than their own relations. In Kargil and its adjacent regions on the other hand, it is only in the last few years that women are up-and-coming from semi-seclusion and taking jobs other than traditional ones like farming and house-keeping. The natural enthusiasm of the Ladakhis is given free restraint by the ancient traditions of the region. Monastic and other religious festivals, many of which fall in winter, provide the excuse for welcoming gatherings. Summer pastimes all over the region are archery and polo. Among the Buddhists, these often build up into open-air parties accompanied by dance and song, at which chang, the local brew made from fermented barley, flows freely.

There are many places to visit in Leh. Leh is known for its beautiful monasteries, apart from that some of the places to see are Shey Palace Leh, Leh Palace, Hemis Monastery Leh, Sindhu ghat Leh and Stok Palace Museum Leh.