Padum Village

Padum is named after Padmasambhava (Known as Guru Rinpoche). Padum is the only town and administrative centre in Zanskar.

About Padum

Padum is the only town and administrative centre in Zanskar. It was historically one of the two main capitals of the Zanskar Kingdom, other being Zangla. It is 240 kms away via the link road from Kargil town and approximately 450 Kilometers from Leh.It has an average altitude of 3,657 metres (11,998 feet) The population of Padum is around 13,500 people. Padum has a few hotels, homestays and restaurants meant for tourists. Padum has a post office, telephone booths and internet cafes.The Zanskar River flows through the valley from its main source at the Drang Drung glacier of the Pensi La. Majority of people in Padum follow Tibetan Buddhism, but there are some Sunni Muslim mainly Balti, who have been present in Padum since the 17th century.

Festivals of Padum

Every year Karsha Gustor (Festival) is the major festival of this place celebrated on the 26th to 29th in the eleventh month of the Tibetan calendar. The famous Black Hat dance is performed. This is a masked dance performance (performed by the Monks of the Geluk-pa) is done to ward off any kind of evil from the valley. Best Time : June to Sep Stay : Hotels and Homestays Transport : SUV Taxi / Motorbike