Zanskar
Zanskar derives its name from the river that flows north from Padam in Central Zanskar. The most inhabited part of Ladakh has always been Zanskar with many tiny hamlets that have close contacts with Kashmir, Lahaul and Kishtwar. Zanskar has numerous trade routes and gompas. Zanskar mountain range separates Zanskar from Ladakh. This description must have aroused your curiosity about Zanskar. To know more about it, read the following piece of writing-
Location of Zanskar
Zanskar is the sub-district of the Kargil district which lies in the eastern half of the state of Jammu and Kashmir.
Best time to visit Zanskar
Best time to visit Zanskar is from the month of April to August. In Zanskar, there is pleasantly warm and dry during summers. Winters are long and harsh.
Climate of Zanskar
The northern flank of great Himalayan range is occupied by the high altitude, semi desert of Zanskar. This mountain range protects maximum of Zanskar and Ladakh from the monsoon. As a result these regions enjoy pleasant, dry and warm summers. The bitterly long winters witness the precipitation in the form of snowfall. These snowfalls play a pivotal part in the betterment of Zanskar as this snowfall feeds the glaciers. These glaciers melt in summers and provide maximum of the irrigation water. Some of the coldest places in the world that are inhabited as well belong to some parts of Zanskar in India.
History of Zanskar
The Bronze Age witnesses the traces of first human activity in Zanskar. It is suspected that an Indo- European population known as 'Mon' might have lived in this region before they were mingled wit or get replaced with the next settlers of the region-the Dards. With the passage of time in 200 B.C probably, Buddhism took its roots. The earliest monuments here owe themselves to be of Kushana period. In the 7th century the Tibetans overran the large parts of the Zanskar and the western Himalayan region. Then the Tibetans imposed their animistic Bon religion.
In the 8th century Buddhism regained its importance including Tibet. 15th century made Zanskar to witness more or less the independent kingdom that was ruled by between two or four related aristocratic families. Zanskar has been a subsidiary to Ladakh since 15th century. The royal palace at Padum was destroyed in 1822 A.D when a coalition of Kullu, Kinnaur and Lahaul invaded Zanskar.
During the last twenty years, the roads are opened to the tourists and researchers have made alterations to the traditional social organizations of Zanskar. Zanskar is also among those rare regions in the Himalayan region where traditional Tibetan buildings, culture and society survived the Chinese Cultural Revolution.
Adventurous sports in Zanskar
Zanskar valley opens its gates wide for every fun loving traveler to enjoy various adventure sports here to the fullest. Several adventure sports like trekking, mountaineering, river rafting, hot air ballooning and many more await you to come and take pleasure in them.
The above description has cited a lot about Zanskar. Its charm is enticing and alluring and sends for a tempting invite to see the place. Zanskar valley offers you wonderful vistas and rich cultural heritage that call you time and again to this land.