|
KARGIL (2704 m), 204
kms from Srinagar in the west and 234 kms from Leh in the east, is the
second largest urban centre of Ladakh and headquarters of the district
of same name. A quite town now, Kargil once served as important trade and
transit centre in the Pan-Asian trade network. Numerous caravans carrying
exotic merchandise comprising silk, brocade, carpets, felts, tea, poppy,
ivory etc. transited in the town on their way to and from China, Tibet,
Yarkand and Kashmir. The old bazaar displayed a variety of Central Asian
and Tibetan commodities even after the cessation of the Central Asian trade
in 1949 till these were exhausted about two decades back. Similarly the
ancient trade route passing through the township was lined with several
caravanserais.
Now, since 1975, travellers
of numerous nationalities have replaced traders of the past and Kargil
has regained its importance as a centre of travel-related activities. Being
located in the centre of the Himalayan region with tremendous potentials
for adventure activities, Kargil serves as an important base for adventure
tours in the heart of Himalayas. It is also the take off station for visitors
to the erotic Zanskar Valley. Tourists travelling between Srinagar and
Leh have to make a night halt here before starting the second leg of their
journey.
The town lies nestling along
the rising hillside of the lower Suru basin. Two tributaries of the Suru
River that meet here are the Drass and Wakha. The land available along
the narrow valley as also the rising hillsides are intensively cultivated
in neat terraces to glow barley, wheat, peas, a variety of vegetables and
other cereals. Kargil is famous for the fine apricots grown here. In May
the entire countryside becomes awash with fragrant white apricot blossoms
while August, the ripening fruit lends it an orange hue.
Places to See:
Kargil mainly serves as
an ideal base station for adventure activities like trekking, mountaineering,
camping, river rafting etc. In high Himalayan Valleys. It is also a base
for taking shorter excursions to Mulbek where the chief attraction is a
9-m high rock sculpture depicting the future Buddha. Kargil also offers
some interesting walks along the river bank and up the hillside. The best
among these is the one leading to Goma Kargil along a 2-km long winding
road which, passing through some of the most picturesque parts of the town,
presents breathtaking views of the mountain stream. A stroll in the bazaar
might lead to a shop selling flint and tobacco pouches, travelling hookahs
and brass kettles - handcrafted items of everyday use which find their
way into the mart as curios. Most shops deals in common consumer goods,
but some specialize in trekking provisions. The showroom of the Government
Industries Centre near the riverbank displays and sell Pashmina Shawls,
local carpets and other woolen handicrafts. The apricot jam produced here
serves as a rare delicacy. Kargil's dry apricot has now become a souvenir
item, which can be purchased freely in the bazaar.
....Back
All
rights reserved. 
 |
