Ladakh. Alchi. A model village.
What does a settlement start from in Ladakh? As it usually is, from a big and beautiful gate.
This gate is almost not decorated, one can spot much more impressive ones which are no inferior to painted entrances to big monasteries. But this one has three stupas on it: blue, white and yellow. This set of three coloured stupas can be seen in Ladakh everywhere, all sizes. The azure ones are especially impressive.
But what is that makes Alchi village "model"? Are these prayer wheels at virtually every corner?
Old postboxes on the trees?
Narrow fenced lanes in the shadow of autum leaves?
Mantra flags on common streets and houses?
Sun screens? Piles of dried cow dung as a natural fuel?
Is it view of the mountains over half-ruinous but inhabited houses?
Universal black endging of the windows? Flower pots?
Could this be due to stupas everywhere they fit?
Or due to curious tourists poking their noses in every place and felling after that almost like mountain conquerors?
But this is all usual, one can answer. These kinds of things are there in every self-respecting Ladakhi villange, this is a standard set.
It’s a standard set, you say. So could this be why Alchi is "model"?
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March 21, 2009 1:44 pm
