INTRODUCTION
Kargil a dream destination on a wonderful valley is situated at an altitude of about 2,704 m.high in the district of Ladakh and on the border of India and Pakistan.Kargil noted for its Pan-Asian trade networkis supposed to be the second largest urban center of Ladakh And also in the past it was from here silk, brocade, carpets, felts, tea, poppy, ivory etc were sent to China, Tibet, Yarkand and Kashmir.Kargil is one of the remote area and is distributed over a considerable extent in the Ladakh region. The access to Kargil is only through mountain passes and in the journey to this one might come across a very sparse population for the climate here is extremely cold. It is an ideal place for trekking and mountain climbing.
HISTORY
Kargil derives its name from the words 'Khar' and 'rKil' where the former stands for the term of Castle, and rKil stands for the center. Thus when these two words are put together gives the meaning of a spot that is in between two castles. So the name Kargil is very apt for the place for it is situated between the two countries.Kargil came distinct only after the Kashmir issue in 1947 which led to the Indo-Pakistani War. During this battle Kargil witnessed areas like Drass and Zoji La Pass falling under the control of Pakistan. But however in the year 1948 the Indian troops recovered it back. It again saw some action in the Second Kashmir War with India managing to wrest back the reminder of the Kargil area twice. The problem relating to this was settled when Pakistan forces lost the war and agreed to the Shimla Agreement. Finally Kargil became a part of the Ladakh district in India in 1979.
LOCATION
Kargil is situated in the district of Ladakh of the state Kashmir, India. Kargil lies near the Line of Control facing Pakistan-administered Kashmir's Baltistan to the west, and Kashmir valley to the south.
FAIRS AND FESTIVALS
Hemis Festival
Hemis festival which goes for a period of three days is celebrated in the month of June which honours the memory of the birth of Guru Padmasambhava, the founder of Tantric Buddhism in Tibet. During this festival sacred dance drama of the life and mission is performed wearing facial masks and colorful brocades robes. Once in every twelve years the monkey year festival is celebrated in which the four-storey thanka of Guru Padma Sambhava is hung in the courtyard along with other precious thankas.
PLACES OF INTEREST
Mulbek Chamba
Mulbek Chamba which dates back to the period of Buddhists visiting the area of Ladakh, is situated right on the highway. The main attraction of this place is the 9 m high rock sculpture in deep relief of Maitreya, the Future Buddha. A visit to this place helps us in better understanding of the esoteric Shaivite symbolism with early Buddhist art.
Mulbek Gompa
Mulbek Gompa is one of the biggest monasteries in the area which is secured in an elevated rocky cliff.Mulbek Gompa is noted for its frescoes and statues similar to any other Buddhist monasteries.
Shergol
Shergol situated on the Kargil-Leh road along the Wakha River valley is a beautiful village to be visited place. The main attraction of Shergol is the cave monastery which can be spotted even from far off distance as a small white spot with the backdrop of the ochre hill. This is an ideal place for trekking across the mountain range into the Suru valley. Another attraction here is Urgyan-Dzong, a meditation retreat which is perched deep inside the mountains that surrounds the Wakha River valley. A Buddhist nunnery is situated below the cave monastery at a distance of 5kms away from Mulbek with a number of incumbents. This place can be accessed by a motor road.
Zanskar (Penzila to Padum Karsha and Zangla)
These are the two lakes situated at a high altitude of about 4,401 to 4,450 meters which is supposed to be the highest point on the Kargil � Zanskar road. This place is located at a distance of about 160kms away from Kargil and the view of the surrounding snow covered mountains are supposed to be very eye catching. Another advantage of this place is that it is a table land which promises an excellent view of the Drang-Drung and the Kishtwar.
Sani Monastery
Sani Monastery is considered to be one among the 8 most sacred places of the Buddhists. The holy site at Sani is called Turtot Gyat which belongs to the first century AD and was constructed by Emperor Kanishka.Sani Monastery is been visited by most of the Luminaries of Himalayan Buddhism including Padma Sambhava, Naropa and Marpa.This monastery houses some of the ancient paintings.
Rangdum Monastery
This place is situated at a distance of about 160kms away from Kargil and at an altitude of 3,657 meters high. The Rangdum monastery has tiny �museum� with interesting Tibetan and other artifacts. Around forty monks live in the gompa.The inhabitants of this area are basically the agriculture shrifts of the monastery.
SHOPPING
One gets a very pleasant experience when they shop around in Kargil.In the market of Kargil you will never miss out people selling flint and tobacco pouches, traveling hookahs and brass Kettles. The other items for shopping includes carpets, handcrafted items of daily use, Kashmiri pashmina shawls and semi precious stones.Ofcourse one should never miss out the dried apricots and apricot jam which is very tasty.
RESTAURANTS
ACCOMMODATION
1.Carvan Sarai
Lankor
Kargil
2.Hotel D' Zojila
Biamathang
Kargil
3.Hotel Kargil Continental
Near TRC Kargil
Kargil
4.Hotel Siachen
Kargil Town
Kargil
5.Greenland
Main Bazar
Kargil
6.Hotel Tourist Margina
Near Taxi Stand Kargil Town
Kargil
7.Hotel Crown
Near Public Park Kargil Town
Kargil
8.Hotel Ruby
Near Taxi Stand Kargil Town
Kargil
9.Hotel Shashila
Main Bazar
Kargil Town
Kargil
10.Hotel Hills View
Main Bazar Drass
Kargil
11.Hotel Dream Land
Main Bazar Drass
Kargil
12.Hotel City Light
Drass
Kargil
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Travel Guide
Travel Information
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GETTING THERE
By Air
The nearest airport is situated at Leh.
By Rail
The nearest railway station is located at Jammu, about 739 kms. from Leh.
By Road
Kargil is situated about 204 kms from Srinagar and 234 kms from Leh.
