Forts, Palaces, and Mansions of Ladakh

Text and Photographs by Mr. Sachin Vaidya Basgo Castle is located on the banks of Sindhu River in Leh District of the Union Territory of Ladakh. It is forty kilometres away from Leh - the capital of union territory. Basgo was the seat of a branch of the Ladakhi ruling family in the 15th and 16th centuries. I visited the Castle during June 2017. Last week of June offered greenery to otherwise barren Ladakh. Some parts of fortification were in good condition. However, most of the fortification was in ruins. A board shared history of Buddhist temples within the Castle. A board showed way to the temples. Outside view of Maitreya Gompa was impressive. Neglect had taken a toll on the structure. Ruins were everywhere. Green fields of the village were soothing to the eyes. Acknowledged as the most beautiful temple after Alchi, Gyalpo Tsewang Namgyal's Maitreya Gompa had the only surviving original 16th century murals of Ladakh. The main gigantic idol was flanked by Bodhisattvas on either s...