Information about Culture of Leh Ladakh
When one talks of Ladakh's culture, it is the West Tibetan influence — dominant up to the late medieval period — that comes immediately to mind, after which we see the influx of Islamic and Hindu traditions. Ladakh is divided into clearly defined cultural zones. West of Mulbekh lies the Islamic centre of Kargil. It incorporates many aspects of the lifestyle of the Kashmir valley and some of the Indus valley; east of Mulbekh is the Buddhist citadel, Leh, with its treasured monasteries and murals, vast altars and gilded icons, brocaded fabrics, illuminated manuscripts and masterpieces in metal-work. Ladakhi crafts reflect the splendor of nature's tints, using rust-red, ochre and umber from the fossil-rich rocks, amethyst, lapis and turquoise to embellish these tones, and the gold of the sunrise or the smoky purple of twilight to reflect the life giving forces. Spinning and weaving of wool, metal work, wood carving and thangka paintings have been the favoured crafts...