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The first trip that we took out of Leh was along the Indus valley towards our over night camp at Uletokpo. Most of this journey remains at the lower altitudes around 3000m, which is why this was completed first whilst we were still acclimatising. Near to Leh the River Indus is one of the major religious rivers of India and continues its journey through Pakistan. The Indus valley was an important region on the Silk Route and trade between China and Eastern Europe over the centuries leading to Leh's strategic importance. The Indus virtually bisects the Ladakh region.
We saw the river at its confluence with the Zankar River.
Earlier on this road we also saw the Gurudwara Shri Pathwar Sahib, which marks the visit of the Sikh Prophet Guru Nanak Dev Ji. He visited in 1517 following travels through Nepal and Tibet.
In
the enclosure of the Gurudwara
When the Guru arrived in the area he learned that there was a demon in the mountain troubling villagers. He went to sit by the river and meditate. The demon was enraged and rolled a large boulder down the hill at the Guru,however when it reach him it was like it turned to wax and moulded itself against the sitting Guru. The demon came down to see why the boulder had stopped and on seeing it around the Guru he tried to push the boulder further but found that again it turned like wax and he foot just left a print. The demon realised that the Guru was truly a holy and pious man and begged forgiveness and promised to turn his life to good and help the villagers. This boulder is now held within the Gurudwara.
A representation of the story of Guru Nanak and the demon.
Though only 25 km from Leh it is in a fairly remote location, but there was a passing cow.
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