Stok Palace

Text and Photographs by Mr. Sachin Vaidya

Stok Palace was built by ousted king of Ladakh - Tsespal Tondup Namgyal in 1825. After defeat by General Zorawar Singh, the former king's status was reduced to a 'jagirdar' (a nobleman) in the court of Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir. Tsespal Tondup Namgyal had to leave Leh Palace and settle down at Stok village. Stok village is around sixteen kilometers from Leh.

I visited the Palace during May 2010; at that time, it was private residence and a museum. A few years ago, a section of it had been converted into a heritage hotel.



Side view of the Palace depicted its grandeur.


As the Palace also housed a Buddhist temple, a prayer flag was seen in the courtyard.


Street view from the Palace entrance was typical Ladakhi landscape.


Following was the Palace Museum entrance:


Snow capped mountains were visible after climbing the stairs.



Photography inside the Palace was not permitted.



Entry to the Palace Museum was shot from the courtyard.


The balconies and windows represented typical Ladakhi architecture.


There were stupas in the vicinity of the Palace.



Distant views of the Palace were impressive.




It was time to say goodbye to the Palace.

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