One of the major highlights of the culture of Leh Ladakh are the monasteries that you will find in almost every village. They may range from huge complexes consisting of a number of shrines, prayer halls, etc to a tiny hermitage housing a single image. The other dominant faith, that of Islam, finds a presence mainly in the western areas of Ladakh. The early conversion of the sub-rulers of Drass, Kargil and the Suru Valley led to the penetration of the Shia sect in Ladakh. In the areas dominated by the Muslims, you will mainly find mosques, ranging from the small unpretentious buildings to the huge Imambaras.

Rather than rest of the Indians, the Ladakhis look more like the residents of Tibet and Central Asia, be it their physique or their facial features. Even though the original population of Ladakh consisted of Dards, an Indo-Aryan race, but large-scale immigration from Tibet changed the cultural heritage of Ladakh. The only people that resemble the mainland Indians are the Muslims, residing mainly in the Leh area. Songs and poems for every occasion, as well as local versions of the Kesar Saga (the Tibetan national epic) also form a part of Ladakh culture

The religious beliefs and practices in Ladakh region are completely different to those of the mainland India.

The reason is not far to seek as most of the people in the Ladakh region have a distinct cultural descent. Buddhism is the dominant religion in the Ladakh region. However, some other religions are also present in this beautiful valley. Before you plan your trip to Ladakh its important to know the culture, lifestyle and religion of the people inhabiting the area.

The walls of Ladakh's gompas are covered with illustrations of the Lord Buddha, his manifestations and followers, and the incorporated Bon and Hindu guardian deities in their various incarnations. It all makes for colourful and varied wall murals in every Ladakh gompa.

The monasteries follow each of the two main sects of Buddhism that developed in Tibet: the Karyu pa or red-hat sect and the Gelug pa or yellow-hat sect. The Dalai Lama, believed to be a reincarnation of the Boddhisattva Avalokitesvara, is the head of the Gelug-pa sect.

The gompas represent the monastic side of Buddhism, or lamaism. The lamaist side of Buddhism, requiring lon tation, contrasts with the everyday practice of Buddhism by Ladakhi lay people.

For Ladakhis, religion is a daily affair with visible rituals that are frequently observed. These include spinning prayer wheels, making pilgrimages to gompas, chortens, mani walls and holy tombs, chanting mantras and reciting prayers in the area of the home set aside as a chapel.

The walls of Ladakh's gompas are covered with illustrations of the Lord Buddha, his manifestations and followers, and the incorporated Bon and Hindu guardian deities in their various incarnations. It all makes for colourful and varied wall murals in every Ladakh gompa.

The monasteries follow each of the two main sects of Buddhism that developed in Tibet: the Karyu pa or red-hat sect and the Gelug pa or yellow-hat sect. The Dalai Lama, believed to be a reincarnation of the Boddhisattva Avalokitesvara, is the head of the Gelug-pa sect.

The gompas represent the monastic side of Buddhism, or lamaism. The lamaist side of Buddhism, requiring lon tation, contrasts with the everyday practice of Buddhism by Ladakhi lay people.

For Ladakhis, religion is a daily affair with visible rituals that are frequently observed. These include spinning prayer wheels, making pilgrimages to gompas, chortens, mani walls and holy tombs, chanting mantras and reciting prayers in the area of the home set aside as a chapel.

Buddhism :- The dominant religion of Ladakh, India is Buddhism, especially in the central and eastern areas. Infact, it is one of the few places where Mahayana Buddhism, also known as Lamaism, is still practiced. This religion is a mixture of the animistic Bon faith and ancient Hindu tantric practices. Buddhism has very deep roots in Ladakh as this region was introduced to the faith as far back as the 7th century AD. One of the major features of Buddhism in Ladakh is the numerous monasteries or gompas.

Islam :- After Buddhism the second most dominant in the Ladakh religions is Islam. Especially in the western Ladakh area, Shia Muslims are found in a majority. Sunni Muslims are also found in Ladakh, however they have a very small population.

Christianity :- Ladakh also has a Christian population, mainly in the town of Leh. They constitute a minority in this area, but belong to the top rungs of the Ladakhi society. There are also two churches in Ladakh, one in Leh and the other in the Shey area.