Description

PADUM

By-Zuhaib shah, Muneer shah, Junaid ahad, Suneem tariq.

Residing in the heart of the Himalayas, Padum is the administrative center of the Zanskar subdivision in Ladakh, India. This town or village is at an average elevation of 3,669 meters (12,037 feet), serves as a gateway to the breathtaking landscapes and culture of the Zanskar Valley.

Village Overview:-

- Brief History: Padum’s history is intertwined with the kingdom of Zanskar, for which it once served as a capital, along with Zangla. The town is named after Padmasambhava, an important figure in the spread of Tibetan Buddhism. The region’s history dates back to the Bronze Age, with early traces of human activity found in ancient petroglyphs. Over the centuries, it saw the influence of early Buddhism from Kashmir, followed by the Tibetan Bön religion, before Buddhism was re-established in the 8th century. Somewhere In the 17th century, Zanskar was integrated into Ladakh. One of the most significant event in its history was an invasion in 1822 by a coalition from Kulu, Lahoul, and Kinnaur, which led to the destruction of the royal palace in Padum.

- Current Population: Padum has the most population in the Zanskar region, with a population of about 2,000 people. The town’s inhabitants are largely of Tibetan descent. There is also a notable Muslim community that has been part of the town’s fabric for centuries.

• Languages Spoken: The primary language spoken is Zanskari, a Tibetic language that is considered a dialect of Ladakhi and is written using the Tibetan script. Zanskari itself has several variations, with the Central Zanskari or Zhung dialect being spoken in the Padum valley. Many educated locals also speak ladakhi as well as English, as it is a compulsory subject in Indian schools.

Cultural Heritage

Padum boasts a rich cultural heritage, primarily shaped by Tibetan Buddhism, with influences from the older, Bön religion. This heritage is clearly expressed through the region’s numerous ancient monasteries, which are not just places of worship but also centers of community life and repositories of art and history. Ancient rock carvings in zangla and padum dating to the early 8th century also provide evidence of the Buddhist influence in the area. The people of Padum are known for their warmth and hospitality, they live their life the same way their ancestors did, according to their culture.

-Attractions and Tourism

Padum is a central point for exploring the Zanskar Valley’s many attractions and serves as a base for many treks.

Main Attractions:

Monasteries: The area is filled with significant Buddhist monasteries. These include Karsha Gompa, the largest in Zanskar; Sakrimo Monastery, Sani Monastery, one of the oldest in the region; Zongkhul Monastery; and Stongde Monastery, which offers beautiful sunset views. The famous Phugtal and Bardan monasteries are also joined from Padum.

Historical Sites: The ruins of the Old Palace (or Zanskar Palace) if proof of Padum’s royal past. Near the riverbank below the town, a large boulder features ancient rock carvings from the 8th century.

Natural attractions : The stunning Shila Waterfalls provides a great view of the village of shila. From the nearby Pensi La pass, we can see the Drang Drung Glacier, one of the largest glaciers in Ladakh. The beauty of the Zanskar River itself is a major drawing point for visitors.

Guided Tours: Visitors can arrange walking tours to explore the local sights. There are many trekking and mountain biking routes starting from Padum. So there is the availability of guided adventure tours, which can be organized through local guesthouses and tour operators.

Best Times to Visit: The ideal time to visit Padum and the Zanskar Valley is from June to September. During these summer months, the weather is pleasant, and the roads, including the Pensi La pass are open making the trip to Padum possible easily. These months are perfect for travelling , trekking and experiencing local festivals. In the winter months the zanskar area is cut off by heavy snow, in this season, some trekkers do visit for the famous Chadar Trek on the frozen Zanskar River.

Tourist Accommodations: Padum has many accommodation options for travelers, including hotels, guesthouses, and homestays. Some Options are dee grand mark hotel ( which I personally recommend) the Padum Eco Homestay, Guru View Homestay, and Dragon Guesthouse.

Cuisine and Food

the cuisine here is reflective of traditional Ladakhi and Tibetan food. People here eat roasted , locally harvested barley and black peas. People also eat Chotagi , a local dish which tourists call “ a pasta like dish “.

Local Restaurants/Eateries: The main market in Padum has many small restaurants and cafes where visitors can eat local foods and dishes.

• Food Festivals: In zanskar , similar to Ladakh , there are food festivals. The most famous one is mamani , this festival is celebrated by both buddhists and muslims , it focuses mainly on making and eating local dishes. Some food stalls and expos are also set up during it.

Community and Lifestyle:-

Village Lifestyle: The lifestyle in Padum is going at a slow, peaceful pace, The community is known for being hospitable and welcoming to visitors. For centuries, the inhabitants have been self sufficient, a trait needed to survive in this remote Himalayan region.

Common Occupations: the common occupations are agriculture , animal husbandry and tourism related services such as running guesthouses, restaurants, guiding people on treks and tours.

Community Engagement: Monasteries are centers for social gatherings, especially during religious festivals.

Educational Facilities: The presence of many English speaking locals indicates that schools are part of the community, schools here have recently adapted the CBSE curriculum , which mandates the teaching and speaking of English language , and also improves co curricular activities.

Conservation and Sustainability

Many Efforts are being made to preserve Padum’s heritage. The ruins of the Zanskar Palace are currently undergoing renovation to conserve the historic structure. establishments like the “Padum Eco Homestay” also points to a growing awareness of sustainable practices. The traditional, self sufficient lifestyle of the Zanskari people is also very sustainable.

Accessibility and Connectivity

Access Routes: Padum’s isolation has been reduced by road development. It can be reached through a 235 km road from Kargil and through the Pensi La pass, which is open from June to September. A new road, the Nimmu, Padum and Darcha road is now open and connects Padum directly with Leh and with Darcha in Himachal Pradesh and also connects it to the Manali Leh Highway.

Local Transportation: For transportation in Padum and its surroundings, visitors hire taxis , rent bikes or prefer walking. A bus service is also available during the summer months when the main roads are open.

Mobile Network and Internet: the town has both jio and airtel coverage. It also has internet cafes.

Local businesses: some locals have built businesses on importing clothes from tibet and china and selling them there, while some have local jewellery shops , which include cheap hand made jewellery.

Employment : local shopkeepers hire kids to teach them shopkeeping and other management skills and to also provide families another source of income.

Health and wellbeing:-

available healthcare facilities: There are many local dispensaries and one main village hospital.

Health and wellness promotion: locals encourage people to play sports and do other outdoor activities like trekking and rock climbing. The wide availability of herbal medicines and remedies also help in the wellbeing of people.

Arts and Entertainment

Art and culture in Padum are linked to its Buddhist heritage. The ancient murals and paintings found in monasteries like Zongkhul and Sakrimo are examples of the padums artistic traditions. local entertainment revolves around religious festivals, which include traditional music and dances.

Local artists : stanzin shayan star is a local singer and performer, who sings in ladakhi and hindi.

Sports and Recreation

Recreation in Padum consists mainly of outdoor and adventure activities.

Popular Sports: Mountain biking and rock climbing are popular adventure sports. Trekking is also a major recreational activity, with many trails starting from padum.

Facilities and Teams: There is a local football team , and a football association which hosts football matches between the villages.

Social and community initiatives:

Ongoing community projects: construction of a new Community Health Centre is going on , which is said to replace the old village hospital. This centre will have facilities like MRI and CT scan.

Festivals:

padum gustor festival - This is a annual religious festival held in Padum, celebrating the victory of good over evil . It consists of the Cham, a masked dance performed by monks in colorful costumes.

Environment and Nature

Padum is situated in a high altitude desert landscape, surrounded by mountains. In summers the landscape is also filled with green cultivated fields and wildflowers.

The flora here include -

Blackthorn

Edelweiss

Ephedra

Rhodiola

The fauna here are-

The snow leopard

Himalayan yak

Himalayan blue sheep

Ladakhi urial

Himalayan marmot

The nearby Drang Drung Glacier and the Zanskar River are the main features of the natural environment.

Education and development:

schools: schools and educational institutions here are:

MLMS songdey

LMHS padum

Govt. Higher secondary school padum

Govt. Degree college zanskar

Adult education and skill development courses: the govt degree college zanskar has collaborated with NIELIT ladakh and KVK leh, to provide educational and skill development courses to people.

Literacy: Padum village has a literacy rate of over 80 percent.

Historical Significance:

Padum holds great historical importance as a former capital of the Zanskar kingdom and a center for Buddhism in the region. Its history includes notable figures like Padmasambhava and events such as its conquest by Sengge Namgyal and the 1822 invasion. The preservation of its monasteries and historical sites like the ancient rock carvings and the old palace makes sure that these landmarks continue to remain as they are. The monasteries themselves function as living museums, safeguarding centuries of culture and tradition.