The spires of ruined temples and the walls of a castle silhouetted dramatically against the blue sky. Testimony to ancient power and glory, Basgo stands on a hilltop, just where the Indus Valley turns into a gorge. About 14 km west of Leh, this was a centre of influence in the 15th and 16th centuries. It was made the capital by Tsewang Namgyal, who was busy extending Ladakh's boundaries. There, he embellished the palace, which still exists, though in lunar disrepair, and set up the first and most spectacular of the temples, the Maitreya. Basgo looks down from the barren hills onto the green plains below. Ghosts still roam its streets.
In its streets, you'll find the Maitreya Temple, which is one of the most beautiful in the state and houses the only existing 16th- century murals in Ladakh. The other two temples are equally inter
esting. There's the Ser Zang or 'Gold and Copper Temple' that takes its name from the Buddhist scriptures which were sheathed in these metals. Inside is a two-storey high statue of Maitreya with murals of Tilopa, Naropa and Milarepa in an alcove behind his head. You'll find some exquisite Tibetan and Indian icons as well, preserved in glass cases. The third temple is smaller and tends to arouse more curiosity because of its spectacular tantric frescoes--again behind the main image--detailing the sexual dynamics of monks and divinities. Basgo is rocky, which makes climbing occasionally difficult, and it's best to be out of the place before nightfall.
Did you know: In 2007, UNESCO's Asia Pacific Heritage Award went to the Maitreya Temple Complex at Basgo. The people of Basgo have, since the early 1990s, volunteered their time, money and materials to preserving the temples. The villagers carried the stones, to support the retaining wall, on their backs.
Getting there: Base yourself in Leh and drive down.
When to go: September to November and March to May.
source : in.news.yahoo.com/248/20090320/1610/tls-basgo-ladakh-jammu-and-kashmir.html
In its streets, you'll find the Maitreya Temple, which is one of the most beautiful in the state and houses the only existing 16th- century murals in Ladakh. The other two temples are equally inter
esting. There's the Ser Zang or 'Gold and Copper Temple' that takes its name from the Buddhist scriptures which were sheathed in these metals. Inside is a two-storey high statue of Maitreya with murals of Tilopa, Naropa and Milarepa in an alcove behind his head. You'll find some exquisite Tibetan and Indian icons as well, preserved in glass cases. The third temple is smaller and tends to arouse more curiosity because of its spectacular tantric frescoes--again behind the main image--detailing the sexual dynamics of monks and divinities. Basgo is rocky, which makes climbing occasionally difficult, and it's best to be out of the place before nightfall.Did you know: In 2007, UNESCO's Asia Pacific Heritage Award went to the Maitreya Temple Complex at Basgo. The people of Basgo have, since the early 1990s, volunteered their time, money and materials to preserving the temples. The villagers carried the stones, to support the retaining wall, on their backs.
Getting there: Base yourself in Leh and drive down.
When to go: September to November and March to May.
source : in.news.yahoo.com/248/20090320/1610/tls-basgo-ladakh-jammu-and-kashmir.html
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