Ladakh is one of the most visited and famous places in India. The main secret to fame goes to nature-filled places, a fresh atmosphere to breathe in, and all the beautiful spectacles it offers to visitors.
Among Ladakh's dozens of tourist attractions, one prominent spot remains Leh Palace, famous for its unique architecture and beautiful wall crafting. So, are you also a part of that group of people who are willing to visit a place but want to gather initial information first?
If yes, then look no further because we have got your back. Keep reading; the forthcoming content will illuminate all the crucial information about Leh Palace, Ladakh: How To Reach, Best Time & Tips.
Let's begin
All you need to know about Leh Palace, Ladakh: How To Reach, Best Time & Tips
Historical facts and location
Also known as the Lachen Palkar Palance, this place is a historical artifact in India that was once the royal palace of the ruler of Ladakh. Experts and historians predict that the building dates back to the 16th century and was constructed by Sengge Namgyal, who was from India's Namgyal dynasty.
However, the emperor abandoned the Leh palace when Dogra- the ethnolinguistic group- took over control, forcing the royal family of Namgyal to move out of the place to Stok Palace.
Layout
The basic layout of the Leh Palace building resembles a building from the outside with plain walls and windows. From the inner side, there are nine floors. The upper flowers were used by the royal family and their favorite servants. At the same time, the lower side was used as a storage area to keep weapons and shields. One side was the training area where experts trained soldiers and Andaman to protect the palace in case of invasion/.
Although most of the building has deteriorated now, some of its parts are still preserved. One area is transformed into a museum that holds an extensive range of ornaments. This includes jewelry, ceremonial dresses, crowns, and other daily usage of the royal family. In addition, some Tibetan thangka paintings stored at the museum also hold images nearly 450 years old.
These paintings have intricate designs. It's fantastic to see that all the designs and colors are so frequently made that you can easily see brightness and vibrancy in the painting. Some powdered gems belonging to the Namgyal dynasty are also present. After the separation, the Indian government gave control of the palace to the Archaeological Survey of India, which is now responsible for preserving the remains for the future.
Architecture
The architecture of the top stories in Leh Palace observed open balconies in the southeast direction, telling today that some expert architecture was also present in the 16th century. In addition, the walls are pierced with a good amount of windows to enhance the overall ventilation.
The roof beams supported the carved wooden column covered with paint. Height is given significance in each story, giving the area an overall spacious look.
It is said that the Leh palace's architecture indicates that there had been a proper knowledge of architectural education in the earlier era because each element is designed carefully and enhances functionality. Experts predict the palace may have taken about three decades to reach the entire building.
How to enter
The main entry to Leh Palace is located on the west side and has a wooden gate with three lions, according to Sengge Namgyal. The canopy is carved with some stains of paint still left in the area. This tells us that the state was advanced in technology of that era.
The middle lion has a mechanism that makes the lion's mouth open, symbolizing the energy and royalty of the king, who would sit on a large throne with three lions made on the back, strategically placed just beneath the middle lion. Seats lower than the throne's height were present in front where all the ministry and trustworthy people would sit for discussions and talks regarding the state matter.
Duration
The Leh Ladakh Palace has nine floors in total. Yet most of its rooms and beds have deteriorated over time. Thus, people cannot visit the whole place because of poor pillar strength. In addition, the visitors are not allowed to photograph the inside of Leh Ladakh place. No one can make video calls at home. The same is why it would take around 1 hour to 2 hours to have an excellent tour of all the visit-worthy places.
Fuel
Those who visit the Leh Ladakh Palace through their private cars and are concerned about the refueling do not have to worry at all. There is a petrol pump situated 25 km from Karu town. Yet we still suggest taking one or two liters of extra petrol in a bottle in case you are coming to the place from long routes.
Internet and Mobile connectivity
The palace has a strong internet connection and stable mobile connectivity. However, as Leh Ladakh is located in Jammu and Kashmir, the mobile sim cards issued from any other state, such as Karnataka, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, etc, would not work there.
Medical Facilities
The availability of medical facilities is one of the downsides of Leh Ladakh Palace. Since the building is not in the central town, no modern hospitals are nearby. Yet you will find small clinics.
Things to take with
Following are some of the things you must take with you
- Pack some common medicines such as eye drops, aspirin, and painkillers because no doctors are nearby.
- The palace is a vast place to maintain. The same is why many places observe insects and dirt. Hence, make sure to carry sanitizer.
- Pack protein bars and candy if your sugar level drops after long journeys.
Conclusion
In a nutshell, Leh Ladakh Palace is one of the significant heritages in India that observes hundreds of visitors every day. Yet there are some things you must know before actually visiting that we have mentioned in the guide above. So make sure to read from start to finish.
