Kargil is a city in the Kargil district and the joint capital of the union territory of Ladakh. Kargil is the second largest town in Ladakh after Leh. Historically, the region around Kargil was called Purig The name Kargil is said] to derive from the words Khar, meaning castle, and Kil meaning “center”. “Kargil denotes a place between many forts, a central place where people could stay”. It appears to be a fitting description for a place that is equidistant from Srinagar, Leh, and Skardu Known for its rich cultural, historical, strategic, and political importance, Kargil is the main town in the historical region of Purig, which consists of the Suru river basin.
Purig consisted of a number of small but independent kingdoms, which included Pashkum, Chiktan, Fokar, Soth, and the SuruValley who often fight among themselves. Gasho “Thatha Khan” in the 9th century, brought together all the territories under a united administration. Another sultan of Purig extended his kingdom to include Zanskar, Sot, Barsoo, Sankoo pretty much the territory of the present Kargil district. He is referred to as “The Purig Sultan”. His capital was based at Karpokhar in the Suru Valley.
The other famous kings of Kargil were Boti Khan, Abdal Khan, Amrood Choo, Tsering Malik, Kunchok Sherab Stan, and Thi Sultan. The town of Kargil lies in the Zaskar Range of the Himalayas and abuts the line of control or LOC between the portions of the Kashmir region administered by India and Pakistan. Kargil town is located roughly equidistant between Srinagar (southwest) and Leh (southeast), and is considered the gateway to Ladakh. It is located 204 km to the east of Srinagar and 234 km west of Leh to the east.
Kargil is the center of the Suru River valley, historically known as Purig. Kargil became a separate district in the Ladakh region during the year 1979 when it was bifurcated from the erstwhile Leh district. Kargil is known as the battleground for the KargilWar which was fought in 1999 when Pakistani soldiers, disguised as Kashmiri militants infiltrated the area in and around Kargil, and took up positions in vacated bunkers and other fortification on mountain tops, that resulted in a 50-day war that claimed lives over 500 Indianarmy personnel before intruders were driven away.
Kargil is now a peaceful and immensely beautiful city, which serves as a famous must-visit destination for #tourists year after year. Kargil’s landscape is mountainous, rugged, and high, the minimum elevation being 8,000 feet ASL. The climate is cold and dry, with scanty precipitation that falls mainly as snowfall in winter. One locality, Drass is reputed to be one of the world’s coldest permanently inhabited places, with winter temperatures falling to as low as −40 °C or more. Vegetation, mainly grasses and shrubs, is largely confined to river valleys at lower elevations, as the higher places are rocky and largely barren.
Most of the residents of the Kargil area of Balti origin, The people of Kargil were mostly Tibetan-Buddhist until the 18th and 19th centuries after which most converted to Islam. and the large majority are Shiʿite Muslims. Apart from road Kargil only has air connectivity, with few only hotels, guesthouses, and lodges that provide mid-range to budget accommodation. An all-weather road, connected. Kargil with Skardu road in GilgitBaltistan region. but the road has been closed. since 1948. The main bazaar of Kargil is filled with plenty of eateries offering Punjabi, Tibetan, and Kashmiri cuisines.
Pasgo and Shangrila restaurants are considered the best. Though there are chances that you might find the food to be relatively expensive in the vicinity. Tourism in Kargil s not centered around the town alone, there are several other places worth visiting such as Places Mulbekh Monastery, Drass war memorial, Kargil main street, Suru Basin, Lamayuru Monastery. Tourists who is nature lovers can also visit Drang-Drung Glacier, Katrse valley, Karsten River, Karsten Valley, Nakpochu Valle, and Nakpochu Valley. Adventure seekers can go on trekking expeditions in the nearby mountains as well.
Kargil celebrates festivals similar to the one like Leh such as Losar are celebrated here The other major festival of Kargil are Hemis Festival, Purgi Festivals, Matho Nagrang, and Mamani foodfestival. Overall visit to Kargil lets you enjoy everything from nature to history pride for the country. Kargil is also home to numerous variety of wildlife including birds, Himalayan brownbear snowleopard and fox
