Today, when I commemorate my days in this spectacular region, I feel that this abode was never new to me. I feel as if I knew this region from ages. The cordial people, the spectacular environment adorned with desert and blue water all made it look it like a heaven.

I was quite astonished by the way the people in ladakh were managing their life, especially when the abode is nestled between the Karakoram Range in the north and the Himalayas in the south.

The adventures!!
Ladakh offered me a great scope to undertake adventure activities amidst breathtaking landscape. The most popular among these are trekking, mountaineering and river-rafting. I really had fun while shooting (Camera shooting) for them as well as when I actually tried them.

To me Ladakh appeared to be a fantasy where the forces of nature conspired to render a magical landscape. To my astonishment, the region had a population of about 240 lakh people distributed over two districts Leh and Ladakh.

Although I had difficulty in communicating with the people as they were more fluent with Ladakhi and Balti but they were so cordial that they used to understand my gestures and used to accordingly react.

The History of the Majestic land!!
Another fact that I came to know was about the history of Ladakh. Well, as I went through the brochures, I came to know that during V and XV centuaries, Ladakh was an independent kingdom assigned to Tibet. Due to some internal problems, the relationship between Tibet and China spoiled. And finally Ladakh became the part of India in 1948.

Bordered to the north and east by China and to the west by Pakistan, Ladakh a popular destination especially for trekkers. Taking its name from Ladags, which means "land of high passages", Ladakh is one of the most spiritually rich and visually bewildering places in the world.

I was overwhelmed by Ladakh situated on a high altitude valley of the Indus River, protected by the stark brooding majestic shelter of the Himalayan Mountain range to the south and the Karakorams to the North. In fact, I spent some quality time over there by exploring the buddhist monasteries, wildlife, culture.

Travelling to Leh, Ladakh's capital was every bit as exhilarating as the destination itself. By air, daily flights from Delhi leave very early to capture a small window of opportunity for landing before the wind velocity, steam rolling off the mountain range kicks into high gear

Exploring Ladakh was a different experience for me, however, it hard to encapsulate its persona in any kind of neat package, without understanding its primary roots and heritage in Buddhism. So inherently attached to the philosophy for thousands of years, one would almost believe that it is an indigenous part of their DNA.

Shooting Ladakh!
That day as soon as I entered my office, my personal secretary, Helen, informed me that the producer had called me. I directly rushed to his cabin.” Yes Sir, Helen asked me to meet you”. I said “Ya, Joseph there is a new assignment for you” commanded my producer. He told me that I have to extensively cover, Leh- Ladakh, for a travel programme, which was going to telecast just a one and half month later. “So, you have less time and please specially focus on the famous Hemis festival”

Being a senior correspondent in a leading media house, my job profile focused on covering stories related to travel. And this time it was a challenge for me because for the first time I was asked to cover an Asian State. “I have to work really hard this time ” I thought.

As far what I knew about Ladakh, it is a place rich in the Buddhist culture & folk tradition. The land of high mountains, famous sharp peaks, glaciers, valleys adorned with natural beauty & adventure. So, before actually venturing out for my shoot, I thought of gathering as much information as I could. It was striking for me to know that this mysterious "land of passes" stands at a height 4,600 meters in the outer Himalayas with its peaks, ranging from 5,800 to 7,600 meters forming the most striking feature of the area.

I searched net, read travel books and contacted my other media friends for more information. Through them I came to know that it is a well connected place through both air and road. Although it does not boost an international airport, but Leh city has a domestic airport.

Boarding on the plane!!
Finally I boarded the plane and landed on Indira Gandhi International airport in Delhi and from there I took another flight to Leh. And I was quite prepared what all I had to cover.

As I knew that this land is famous for its Buddhist culture, it was obvious that it should have monasteries. In fact, the monasteries of Ladakh are what give the region its unique flavor and beauty. Hemis, the largest monastery in Ladakh, was built in 1630. The Namgyal Tsemo Gompa, contains a three-story high Buddha image and ancient manuscripts and frescoes. The cave monastery of Shergole is small but this old Buddhist monastery has elegant frescoes.

Scarce Wildlife!!
Well, my friends told me that in this region boost an extremely harsh environment and an untrained eye would hardly see any evidence of wildlife. In fact, I especially liked the largest animal of the cold desert, the yak, a wild ox. Other animals found here are Mayan, Urinal, Ibex, Predators, Snow, leopard, Avifauna, Black, Necked, and Crane etc. I also got aquainted with some of the festivals celeberated in this region. Especially the Hemis Festival .This festival commemorates the birth anniversary of Guru Padmasambhava, is held for two days in June-July, enlivening the courtyard of the monastery .