Ladakh - Simplicity, Serenity And Splendour

Simplicity, serenity and splendour - MEHER JADHWANI finds balance and beauty in Ladakh as she traces its heritage through its rituals, and returns to the city anew. Photographed by AVANI RAI

- Meher Jadhwani

Ladakh’s reputation as a land of myth, mystery and magic precedes it. One of India’s most beautiful and remote destinations, its moonscapes, turquoise lakes and craggy mountains are part of its appeal while its inaccessibility is part of its allure. Intent on discovering more about the former Himalayan mountain kingdom, I set off with photographer Avani Rai. Our base? Shakti Ladakh in the Indus Valley.

After five days here, you begin to understand what wellness really means. Spas, room service, massages and a giant bathtub will always be delightful, but what really stands out is the absence of television and spotty internet connectivity—seemingly more by design than deficit. In 2022, to slow down and savour each moment feels deliciously privileged.

Shakti Ladakh, part of the Shakti Himalaya pantheon, offers an immersion into an authentic, holistic way of life, crafted for the modern-day traveller. Each of its six village houses, spread across five villages, are also home to local families. And while every dwelling retains its original warmth and decor, each is thoughtfully appointed and subtly luxurious. For example, glass walls are installed to attract light and retain warmth. Most lodges have three double rooms and offer an individual experience with your own chef, porters and a private guide. (Apart from Ladakh, Shakti Himalaya also has outposts in Kumaon and Sikkim, and each property is tailored to a different kind of getaway.)

To step into the Indus Farm House in Nimoo Village was to surrender to the flow designed for me. Over the next five days, I was guided over the less-trodden paths through the villages, ate meals that were specially designed to align with my dietary preferences, and remembered how to disengage from the frenetic city vibrations we carry with us.