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| Alchi |
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Overview of Alchi |
| A busy village in the
Indian state of Jammu & Kashmir, Alchi is tucked away in the Himalayan region of
Ladakh at an altitude of around 3,500 m above sea level. Alchi is nestled in the
valley of the Indus River along the ancient trade route and is famous for its
gompas. It is connected to Leh with a road network. |
| SuperDeluxe |
Welcomes you to see the unique beauty of snow covered mountains dense deodar
forest which cuts wind velocity. You may find Alchi the most attractive and
adventurous place in India. |
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History of Alchi |
| The region around Alchi
was once vital for trade and cultural contact with the rest of India. When
Islamic armies entered the subcontinent, what first captured their attention
were the Buddhist monuments. Islam disallows idol worship and their word for
idol was, in fact, the term Buddha. It was, therefore, the Buddhist monuments
and monasteries that suffered most under the hand of iconoclasm. However, Alchi,
set amidst the barren gorges of the Indus River and desolate mountains, escaped
destruction and some of the 900-year-old paintings and murals are so well
preserved that they appear to have been painted just yesterday. |
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Sites to visit in Alchi |
| The shrines at Alchi, some
of which date back to the late eleventh century, are considered by scholars to
be among the most extensive examples of Buddhist art in Kashmir. Du-Khang is the
earliest temple at Alchi, founded by Kal-dan Shes-rab around the 11th century
AD. There is an elaborately carved doorway with panels of tiny Bodhisattvas and
guardian figures. The walls are adorned with mandalas and sacred forms that
illustrate the structure of Buddhist cosmology. Sum-tsek is a triple-storied
temple with a carved wooden façade consisting of pillars, carved brackets, and
capitals. The walls of the halls are covered with mandalas in vibrant colors,
standing figures of Bodhisattvas, Manjushri (the embodiment of wisdom),
Avalokiteshvara, and Maitreya Buddha. Lotsawa Lha-Khang and Manjushri Lha-Khang
are two adjoining shrines that share a similar plan. The square shrine has four
central columns that hold up the raised roof. Within the shrine of Manjushri are
four large plaster images of the Bodhisattva. The murals of the temple follow
the theme of the thousand Buddha while gods and goddesses dominate the wall
space. Lha-Khang Soma is a structure constructed later in comparison to other
shrines of Alchi. Within the small square room is a chorten or votive stupa.
Columns that support the roof have wonderful carved brackets with lion faces.
Walls of the shrine are painted with the images of Vairochana, Buddha,
Bodhisattvas, and guardian figures. The doorway is decorated and protected as
usual with the image of Mahakala. |
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Places around Alchi |
| The region has several
spectacular monasteries that seem to grow out of the rugged escarpments and
mountain ridges. There are monasteries at Shey, Thikse, and Hemis, which have a
wealth of Buddhist images, murals, and carvings. Leh is the capital of Ladakh
Autonomous Council and the most convenient gateway to Ladakh. The sites to visit
include Leh Palace, Leh Mosque, and many gompas |
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Reservations for Alchi |
| Please contact us through online email sales@superdeluxe.co.in or call @+91-9871489995
for rates & reservations. You can also check our prices available our website
Airport Tariff Page. |
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