Villages in Ladakh In such an inhospitable climate and desert land, a village must center around a stream. The streams here come from the glaciers of higher reaches and form parts of rivers most of which eventually flow into the Indus. Wherever a stream roams through a broadening valley, it is possible to lay a series of terraced fields, which can be irrigated in turn by directing the water supply into small artificial water courses.

Cultivable land is rare in the region. Credit: Discover India

Above the area of cultivated terraces and at the foot of the actual hills, the houses are clustered. Approached by stony paths or tracks, the houses are so built into the hillside that convenient pieces of rocks often serve as walls or floors. Often rock overhangs are used as roofs and a sunny platform will be enclosed with rough walls to stable animals by day in winter. Crowning the chief hill of the village and dominating its complete life, as its position would suggest, is the monastery. The road both enters and leaves the village through a "chorten" gate. These villages are fascinating and picturesque, surrounded by apricot trees, against a background of azure sky and glittering peaks.

In the bigger houses, one room is dedicated as a little private chapel, used mainly by the master of the house for reading his holy books and repeating his prayers. Where a whole room cannot be set apart, a small corner in the best room will be arranged as an altar.