En-route Tso Moriri, Ladakh, India

En-route Tso Moriri, Ladakh, India, a photo by SandeepaChetan - http://sandeepachetan.com/ on Flickr.

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Holy lake of Sani, Zanskar valley, India

Holy lake of Sani, Zanskar valley, India, a photo by SandeepaChetan - http://sandeepachetan.com/ on Flickr.

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We had an enforced stay in Sani, a small village in Zanskar, around 6km before its headquarters, Padum. Communal tensions had brought Padum to a shutdown.

Which meant we had to put up in Sani, a village with no real hotels (or guest houses) and no drainage system (read toilets or bathrooms!). Next to this holy lake was a big camping ground, which was of no use to us, since we weren’t carrying any tents.

But who needs any commercial set ups when the locals are so warm and friendly?

A lone shopkeeper in Sani agreed to host us for the two days of the Sani festival. He charged us a pittance for a cozy room, unlimited supply of fresh, local food, impromptu cookery lessons and loads of entertaining conversations!

Kids of Chatpal, Kashmir, India

Kids of Chatpal, Kashmir, India, a photo by SandeepaChetan - http://sandeepachetan.com/ on Flickr.

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Chatpal, Kashmir, India

Taj Mahal, Agra, India

Taj Mahal, Agra, India, a photo by SandeepaChetan - http://sandeepachetan.com/ on Flickr.

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Parkachik glacier, Kargil, India

Parkachik glacier, Kargil, India, a photo by SandeepaChetan - http://sandeepachetan.com/ on Flickr.

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The Parkachik glacier is 1km away from the village of Parkachik.

Much of the snow had melted when we saw it in the month of July, but it sill made for an interesting look especially with the mighty Himalayas surrounding it.

This picture was taken from a truck in which we travelled from Parkachik to Zanskar.

Kokernag Botanical Garden, Kashmir, India

Kokernag Botanical Garden, Kashmir, India, a photo by SandeepaChetan - http://sandeepachetan.com/ on Flickr.

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Since we were staying in the accommodation right inside the garden, we visited the Kokernag garden right at sunrise. An ideal time for birding, specially by the natural spring that flows through it.

Developed by the J&K Tourism department, it is the biggest garden in Kashmir. A hot-spot for Sunday family outings, it is choc-a-bloc with kids playing, couples romancing among the roses and the elderly resting under Chinars.

Woman from Leh, Ladakh, India.

Woman from Leh, Ladakh, India., a photo by SandeepaChetan - http://sandeepachetan.com/ on Flickr.

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We saw her on our way to Tso Moriri, near village Himya.

She was basking in the sun, readying for the harsh winters of Ladakh, creating beautiful patterns on a shawl she was weaving on a traditional wooden loom. Threads in reds, greens and yellow were getting interwoven at a dizzyingly fast pace. We wanted to ask her about her design process, but realised she would think we were fools asking such questions.

For, these skills, passed down generations are their inherent gifts!

By Sandeepa Chetan (www.sandeepachetan.com)