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Think as far into the past as you can, of an age when Indian subcontinent was part of present day Africa. They the sea swelled, the geo plates shifted and India broke away and drifted to Asian plate. It crashed into the Asian Plate with such a force that the prehistoric Tethys sea disappeared and gave birth to a new mountain range – The Himalayas. The land masses are still colliding into one another and the Himalayas are still gaining height.
These lofty mountains are home to world’s highest peaks in territory that is still not wholly mapped. This is really lonely corner of the planet. The Himalayas are divided into three major divisions- The Karakoram, Himachal and Sivalik hills which span from the Ladakh in North west to the minor mountains and hills of north east.
The higher reaches are snow capped throughout the year, have no vegetation or animals and have very low oxygen levels. The indomitable spirit of mankind has reached even this inhospitable terrain to establish temples of faith and monasteries of peace. The Hindu and Buddhist pilgrim centres are a wonder here in these forlorn far reaches.
The shepherd nomads roam these semi arid wilderness with their herds of yak and sheep. Endangered animals like the snow leopards, himalyan lynx and fox cohabit with the Sherpas and other tribes.
The fast flowing rapids of the mountain rivers, the craggy mountain faces, snow covered slopes, hot water springs and the biting cold are inviting for the rough band of ‘adventurists’ who come from all parts of the world to test the extreme. White water rafting, trekking, pilgrimage, mountaineering, rock climbing, para sailing, sky jumping, skiing, biking, rallying and the list goes on, the reasons for being in the Himalayas anytime of the year.
Pack your bags and get going! |
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Hemis Festival |
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The festival celebrates the birth anniversary of Guru Padmasambhava, also known as Guru Rimpoche, who is considered to be the founder of Tantrik Buddhism. Held at the Hemis Monastery in Ladakh, it has magnificent performances of sacred plays with spectacular masked performers of the Chham dance form. |
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