Mountains, monasteries, monks, memories…the magic of Ladakh! It’s difficult to take a bad photograph in a place like Ladakh. The light is so ethereal like in some dreams, and it’s not just the landscapes that are so hauntingly beautiful, but also the people of Ladakh who are always smiling 🙂 The smiles that tell the story of their life. The smiles so genuine that it’s unbelievable that someone could be so happy and content!
Peaceful and happy in spite of the harsh weather & living conditions, the innocence and simplicity of the Ladakhis is as infectious as their warm-hearted smiles. They are cheerful, friendly and helpful, simple and content in their lives. Living holistically with nature and one another, it’s a self-sustaining society where nothing goes waste and there’s this unexplainable feeling of just pure joy! 🙂 Happy faces of a few kids and people we met on a motorbike trip to Ladakh.
The landscape is dotted with Stupas or chortens which represent the essence of Buddhist philosophy – the inter dependence of everything in the universe. Top of the chorten a crescent moon cradles the Sun symbolising the oneness of all life. That you are a part of something larger than yourself, that you are inextricably connected to others and your surroundings. The people of Ladakh live by this philosophy and are peaceful and prosperous. Their emotional and spiritual wellbeing comes from their ecological community-based way of life.
Ancient Futures – learning from Ladakh, a documentary based on the book by Helena Norberg-Hodge, is a great watch to understand the impact of globalisation on a remote and primitive culture such as that of Ladakhis, and the value and importance of being inter dependent on each other. There’s a lot to learn from the people and culture of Ladakh…starting with a smile 🙂
Color Odyssey 
I love your photos of the smiling people. I so understand them and you…maybe someday I’ll visit.
🙂 So sweet of you! Hugs! And many thanks!
Such an amazing piece. I really felt like I was reading a NG article with the images you showed. Really great stuff.
Wow! Thanks much! 🙂
Beautiful pictures! Ladakh is a must visit destination!
Thank you! 🙂 Yes Ladakh is out of this world!
That’s such a wonderful photoblog. It’s the kids in Ladakh who bring out the purity of the place so well. I put up a similar photoblog on my site just yesterday! Can relate to this so much.
Thank you! 🙂 Yes that’s true! I guess the older people are too wise and peaceful 😉
Cute pictures! And that documentary is a good one to know more about Ladakh, my favourite too.
Thanks 😊