Mounds of yellow sand- sand the colour of the moon. Craters and holes everywhere, like there had been a volley of asteroid hits there centuries back. It was a very eerie place- Lamayuru, the moon land. The landscape of the moon on one side, and the rugged landscape of Ladakh with sparse greenery on the other. All under a very blue sky and blindingly bright sunlight. It sent a shiver down my back.
Just beyond this unnatural place was a monastery, the Lamayuru monastery. This 18th century monastery was nothing out of the ordinary but for its thanka painting that was over five storeys tall and wide, and which was put on display only on auspicious days. We had to go back disappointed, as the day we had chosen to visit was not an auspicious one.
On the way back, we stopped at the extraordinary magnetic hill. It is supposed to create a magnetic field around it, strong enough to pull automobiles, and even cause disturbance to planes and choppers flying over it. Not completely believing what I had read about it on the internet, I went there, a little apprehensive, not knowing what to expect. Our driver stopped at a line drawn on the road, switched off the engine, and released the brake. And voila!! The car started moving on its own, towards the hill!! And believe me when I say that it was a completely flat surface, no inclination.
After that unexpected ride that cost us no petrol, we paid a visit to a Gurudwara (the holy shrine for the Sikhs) there- Gurudwara Pathar Sahib. Legend has it, that Guru Nanak came to that place to meditate, and chase away a demon who was torturing the villagers there, by having one human for his meal every day. On seeing Guru Nanak meditating quietly on the shores of the river Indus, the furious demon threw a huge boulder at him. But the boulder, on touching Guru Nanak, turned into a wax like substance, and took his shape, without hurting him. On seeing this and realising that Guru Nanak, was a man of God, the demon immediately begged for forgiveness, and repented his sins by being of service to the same villagers that he had tortured. This Gurudwara, built at the place of this incident, holds the boulder of interest.
When there, we first had wash our feet and hands in a pool of freezing cold water, to cleanse ourselves before entering the divine shrine. We also had to cover our heads with a bandana, to leave behind the pride, and enter with an open heart and mind, fully capable to receive the blessings of the almighty.
It was a long day, and we were tired of walking and climbing, tired from panting for air in the thin atmosphere. The trip had just begun, and we were already tired to our bones, longing for a good night’s sleep. But the days were just getting tougher and the nights shorter- just time enough to snatch a few hours of sleep, and move on to what this land of God had to offer us next…
Delightful…I have never heard of these places before, and the stories that go with them. Thank you!
Thank you so much for those kind words… I just hope I can see all places like these around the world, in my lifetime… 🙂
Wow… Leh – I’ve been dreaming to go there, hopefully one day I can! Thank you 🙂
It surely is a place everyone must visit in their lifetime… Im trying my best to put this experience in words, but it was definitely worth much more….
I so envy you… I always wanted to go to this place and its still a dream for me….the photographs are just wow!!! keep doing the great work…
Thank you so much… And may your dream come true soon!! 🙂
It’s amazing what stories, structures, and wonders the world contains. So glad you bring it.
Thank you so much!! 🙂
Beautiful pictures and your site is so welcoming. You have a great eye. Thank you for stopping my and liking my post.
Best,
N
Thank you so much for those kind words and for stopping by. 🙂
I’ve never heard of the magnetic hill, sounds eery and amazing all in one!
It really was a very freaky when the car started moving on its own!!
Your posts are amazing – I feel like I have been along on the trip with you, only without having to experience any of the usual trials of traveling! The pictures are gorgeous and your writing captures so many unexpected details. Thank you for taking us all along on your journeys!
Thank you so much for those kind words!! 🙂
I have wanted to go there for so long!! I envy you!
Absolutely beautiful 🙂
Thank you :).. And the sooner you go, the better… Its getting more crowded and polluted day by day…
Dear Alice,
What are you up to now?
Missing you,
Vivian
Hey Vivian!!
I’m just stuck in my university, trying to complete all the assignments that have piled up… Will put up the next post soon!! 🙂
PS: Love the name you have given me!! 😉
Good stuff, and the beginning of the next post too – about the the sight of hope in a trough…very good too! Enjoyed.
Thank you so much!! Glad you liked it!! 🙂
Never heard before ” Magnetic Hill ” 🙂
True… But it is a very eerie place!! The hill really is magnetic!!
Including in my 10 Places to visit 🙂 Thanks for the info
It is definitely a must visit place!!