Prayer flags are colorful, rectangular cloths found strung along mountain ridges and peaks in the Himalayas to bless the surrounding area. Traditionally flags are printed with texts and images. Old prayer flags are replaced with new ones yearly on the Tibetan New Year. Symbols and mantras on prayer flags are sacred, treated with respect. They should not be placed on the ground or used as clothing. Old prayer flags should be burned. Now, different styles of prayer flags can be seen all across the Ladakh region.
Leh was the capital of the Himalayan kingdom of Ladakh, now the Leh District in the state of Jammu and Kashmir, India. The town is still dominated by the now ruined Royal Palace, which resembles a mini-Potala Palace. Principal roads include the 434km Srinagar-Leh highway which connects Leh with Srinagar and the 473 km Leh-Manali Highway which connects Manali with Leh. Both roads are open only on a seasonal basis.
