Leh and Ladakh is located in the site of one of the earliest  human civilisations. The cities of the Indus Valley were marvels of urban planning, architecture, elaborate water supply and drainage system, and new techniques in handicraft and metallurgy.

The trek to Stok Kangri perched at 6300 mtrs begins near KYTA's residency space. Though the trek is arduous, our proximity to the location allows the possibility of manifesting some of the highest artworks in the world.

Willow and Poplar are two types of trees found all over Leh and Ladakh. Wood carving usually with Tibetan symbolism is a key feature of Ladakhi homes and furniture. 

Chortens (Stupa) are Buddhist spiritual structures found all over the region. The structure's base is a square with a dome extending into a crown on the top. These are usually dedicated to a Buddhist monk or religious teacher. 

Leh and Ladakh celebrates various religious and spiritual festivals through the year. With themes like remembering the oracles and celebrating the existence of the Indus, the festivals have unique rituals and ceremonies. Naropa is a spiritual celebration that happens every 12 years in Ladakh. 

Leh is located at the banks of the Indus river that offers rich stories and regional histories. The site of the Indus Valley civilisation, and a critical node of Ladakh's ecology, the Indus river is a special geographical and cultural subject in Leh and Ladakh. 

Empty and endless fields of view with a diverse range of unique textured backdrops. The landscapes are painted with a natural choreography of light and shadow composed across the mountain ranges. 

Widely practised as a traditional form of art in the region, Thangka 

paintings have elaborate symmetrical compositions. They usually have a central deity surrounded by several small figures. Thangka serves as teaching depicting the life of the Buddha, various influential lamas and other deities.

Cashmere, also known as Pashmina, is the prized super-fine fibre reared from the Changra goats grazing in the extreme climes of Ladakh. The region has a very old tradition of weaving as part of their rich textile history. 

Chanting and sound is a big part of everyday life in Buddhist culture. Prayer wheels are a marked motif of Leh and Ladakh, found in various sizes. Singing bowls and shehnais are also used in performance and rituals.  

The Silk Road was a network of trade routes which connected the East and West. The route was central to the economic, cultural, political, and religious interactions between these regions from the 2nd century BC to the 18th century. Ladakh served as the key connection point between Central Asia and South Asia on the Silk Road.

Writing large-scale messages, quotes and religious scriptures using white polished stones on the top of the mountains is a tradition. These words are legible from miles away and also while descending into Leh in an aircraft.

Local ceremonies involve theatrics with  elaborate masks and costumes. During the festivals and local celebrations, the Buddhist lamas perform the victory of good over evil. 

The region has a very old practice of metallurgy but today it is a dying form. A community of traditional metal-smiths still continue to keep the legacy of metal alive in Chilling, a village in Leh and Ladakh. 

Tibetan cuisine is home to the Ladakhis along with Kashmiri food. Buckwheat being widely available in the cold desert is used in food as well as drinks. Breads are also a big part of the everyday, made in different types using the tandoor (pot furnace).