Prayer flags at Namgyal Tsemo Gompa, Ladakh
Nikon D810, 24mm f1.4
Fluttering prayer flags contrast against a brilliant blue sky at Namgyal Tsemo Gompa, Leh. Ladakh
Better than a thousand hollow words, is one word that brings peace
Taking a steep road out of Leh and following the Kardung-La road will take you eventually to the amazing Namgyal Tsemo monastery and Gompa.
It dominates the skyline over Leh and is at an altitude of approx 3760m above sea level. However, be warned….It’s probably not one of the first activities you might want to do after arrival ! Take a few days to gently walk around the old town, lots of rest and lots of water, some tea and light food and then maybe after 48hrs you may want to attempt the climb.
If you’re not feeling energetic even after 48hrs then take a short taxi ride in the late afternoon and catch the sun setting over the peaks looking west.
There will usually be a hundreds if not thousands of prayer flags fluttering and stretched across all points form the Gompa and onto the landscape.
Traditionally, Tibetan and Buddhist prayer flags are primarily used to promote peace, compassion, wisdom and strength. The flags do not carry prayers to gods, which is a common misconception; rather, the Tibetans believe the prayers and mantras will be blown by the wind to spread the good will and compassion into all pervading space. Throughout Ladakh we see examples of where the flags are hung to catch the wind ; bridges, high Gompas and across trekking paths and stone shrines at all the monasteries.
More information here about the 2018 Ladakh Photography tour
