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gorges to join the Indus.
The main valley is approximately 300 km long and ringed by
mountains. Access to it is therefore over one of the high
passes. The Zanskar valley is noted for its high ranges, fine
gompas and happy people. The Panzila Top (4401 m) is the
picturesque tableland adorned with two small alpine lakes and
surrounded by snow covered peaks. As the Zanskar road winds
down the steep slopes of the watershed to the head of the Stod
Valley, one of Zanskar's main tributary valleys, the majestic
Drang-Drung glacier looms into full view. The Drang-Drung
glacier is perhaps the largest glacier in Ladakh, outside the
Siachen formation. It is from the cliff-like snout of this
extensive glacier that the Stod or Doda River, the main
tributary of river Zanskar, rises. Zanskar comprises of a
tri-armed valley system lying between the Great Himalayan
Range and the Zanskar mountain. The three arms radiate like
star towards the west, north and south from a wide central
expanse where the region's two principal drainage meet to form
the main Zanskar River. It is mainly along the course of this
valley that about 10,000 strong, mainly Buddhists lives here.
Spread over an estimated geographical area of 5000 square kms,
high rise mountains and deep gorges surround Zanskar. The area
remains inaccessible for nearly 8 months a year due to heavy
snowfall resulting in closure of all the access passes,
including the Penzi-la. Today, Zanskar is one of the last few
surviving cultural center of Tibet. The Zanskar valley used to
be most isolated of all Himalayan valleys and inaccessible for
8 months in a year. But in recent years, it has become a
popular destination with trekkers and visitors. There are two
subsidiary rivers, the Stod (Doda Chu) and the Linak (Tsarap
Chu) that meet below Padum at Zanskar to form the Zanskar
Rivers. Padam is the main habitation and the headquarters of
the area. Close to the Padam town are a set of ancient rock
carvings and two picturesque monasteries. A two hour trek from
Padum takes one to Karsha which is the largest and most
wealthy gompa in the region. The local monastery dates back to
the 16th century. Other interesting monasteries include the
gompa at Sani and Stongdey. various river rafting options are
available on the Zanskar river. Earlier, the villagers only
provide the accommodation to the tourists but now various
small hotels and tourist complexes are coming up to cater the
demand of the tourists. |
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An almost total lack of
rainfall has meant that cultivation of the soil depends on the
irrigation. To use the water of rivers in the landscape of
Ladakh is a difficult task but the only possibility to get the
needed water is from the irrigation channels. The irrigation
channels can be seen all along the fields. Barley is the most
suitable crop as it is grows even well with poor soils and can
be roasted to form the staple ngamphe (tsampa) which can be
eaten without cooking. This kind of food reserves are very
useful especially in winter when fuel is scarce. Animal
husbandry is an additional activity with agriculture. Mostly
in the area of Zanskar valley only one crop per year is
achieved. Sheep and goats are taken to high meadows during the
summer so that they can graze.
The Sani Monastery of the 11th century is recognized as the
first monastery of Zanskar. Phugyal and Karsha Monasteries
also date from the same period. The development in the
religion has been same as in Ladakh. The Delgupta order was
established in the 15th century and monasteries at Karsha,
Linshet and Mune belong to this. The Drukpa sect had set up
monasteries at Bardan and Zangla and they also occupied that
first Monastery at Sani. The Drukpas had relations with Stakna
near Leh and and also with Namgyal whose three sons became
later the rulers of Ladakh, Guge and Zanskar/Spiti. Their rule
collapsed after Ladakh’s war with Tibet and as a result, the
Zanskar royal house was divided in two parts, one part
administering Padum, and the other controlling Zangla which
fell under the Dogras, who took the most of the control over
the people, local economy and the monasteries. |
