Leh Palace is one of the most captivating
architectural ruins that attract the attention of the tourists almost
immediately with its majestic setting at the edge of the Namgyal hill
and overlooking the town. Built in the 17th century, it was built as the
residential palace for the King Singge Namgyal. Much smaller but
resembling the Potala in Lhasa, Leh Palace is now in ruins. It has nine
storeys and has been deserted since the royal family shifted to the Stok
Palace in 1830s. nine storeys, but it is now dilapidated and deserted.
It was the home of the royal family until they were exiled to Stok in
the 1830s. The Victory Tower set above the palace was built to
commemorate the victory of brave Ladakhi soldiers over the invading
armies of Balti Kashmiris in the early 16th century. Today, Leh Palace
serves as an office for the Indian Government's archaeological
conservation organization
Leh Palace is an excellent example of the medieval Tibetan
architecture. It features colossal inclined buttressed walls and
protruding wooden balconies. It has suffered massive destruction being
at the receiving end of the Kashmiri cannons and one has to be careful
while walking through the ruins, watching out for the gaping holes in
the floors and dark staircases. The highlights of the place are flaking
murals trying to let the visitors glimpse the erstwhile glory and
splendor of the ruined royal apartments and its roof terrace offers
picturesque views of the town and the snow-capped Stok Kangri Mountains.
Also worth of note is the gloomy Dukhar temple housed on the fourth
storey with a thousand armed image of its deity, Goddess Tara, along
with some wonderful and peculiar masks, musical instruments and weapons
used once as props, to accompany the occasional recitals and religious
ceremonies held in the courtyard of the palace outside.
