Sudha Murty Is Bowled Over By Leh Palace, Why This 17th-Century Gem Is A Hit With Travellers
Leh Palace, an impressive 17th-century royal residence, stands proudly in Ladakh. It was constructed by King Sengge Namgyal and takes its architectural cues from the iconic Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet. Today, it has been transformed into a captivating museum, showcasing a… pic.twitter.com/WMaiUzEAmh
— Smt. Sudha Murty (@SmtSudhaMurty) July 18, 2025
About The Leh Palace
Overlooking the old town of Leh, this palace was once the grand residence of the Namgyal dynasty - the rulers who shaped Ladakh's historical and cultural heritage. Sudha Murty called it "an impressive 17th-century royal residence", inspired by Tibet's iconic Potala Palace.
Initiated in 1553 by King Tsewang Namgyal and completed under his successor King Sengge Namgyal in the early 1600s, this palace is one of the tallest structures of its time. It was built using mud bricks, stones, and wood, with its upper levels reserved for the royal family and living quarters, while the lower levels housed storerooms, stables, and servants' rooms.
The palace offers a stunning view of the Indus valley, the snow-capped Stok Kangri range, and the mystical Zanskar mountains. Sadly, most of the palace is in ruins, but there are small rooms, corridors, substantial rooms, and compartments which are maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India.
How Much Would It Cost?
Leh Palace is open to the public daily from 7 AM to 4 PM. Entry costs start from Rs 15 for Indian citizens and Rs 100 for foreign nationals. The best time to visit the palace is between April and September when the skies are clear, the roads are open, and beautiful views from the palace.
How To Reach Leh Palace?
You can reach Leh by air, with regular flights from Delhi, Srinagar, and Jammu. Travelers seeking adventure can also come by road with scenic Manali-Leh or Srinagar-Leh highways by bus, jeep, or motorcycle.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News18
2 hours ago
- News18
Europe Made Travel Easier: Schengen Visa To Go Fully Digital, What It Means For Indians
Last Updated: The new rules will make Schengen visa process fully digital. That means no more physical visa stickers in passports and no more long queues at consulates to submit paper forms For millions of Indians, the process of securing a Schengen visa has long been a necessary — but often tedious — part of planning a European holiday or business trip. But that's about to change. The European Union has officially announced that the Schengen visa system will go fully digital, making visa applications easier, faster, and more secure. Here's everything you need to know about the digital Schengen visa rollout, how it works, and what it means for Indian travellers heading to Europe. What Is A Schengen Visa? The Schengen visa is a short-term visa that allows non-EU nationals to travel across 29 European countries (as of 2024) without needing separate visas for each. This includes popular destinations like France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, and Switzerland. In 2023 alone, Indians filed over 600,000 applications for Schengen visas, with the highest number going to countries like France and Germany. What's Changing? Under the new rules approved by the European Council and set to be implemented by 2026, the Schengen visa process will become completely digital. That means no more physical visa stickers in your passport and no more long queues at consulates just to submit paper forms. The only exception will be first-time applicants or those with expired biometric data (more than five years old). They will still need to visit a consulate or visa application centre to submit fingerprints and get their photo taken. For repeat travellers, the entire process could become 100% virtual. Why Is The EU Going Digital? There are several reasons behind this major shift: Efficiency: The new system will drastically cut down processing times and reduce errors caused by manual handling. Security: A digital system helps prevent fraud and misuse of visa stickers, which can be forged or altered. Convenience: Travellers can apply from anywhere, eliminating the need to visit embassies or third-party visa centres for every trip. Cost Savings: Governments and applicants alike will benefit from streamlined operations and fewer administrative bottlenecks. How Will The New Digital Schengen Visa Work? Once the platform is live, Indian applicants will go through the following steps: Create an Account on the EU Visa Portal: Enter personal details, travel history, and upload necessary documents (passport, itinerary, proof of accommodation, insurance, etc.) Select The Destination Country: If you are visiting multiple Schengen countries, you must apply to the one where you'll spend the most time. Pay the Visa Fee Online: Currently, the Schengen visa fee is €80 for adults and €40 for minors. The amount remains unchanged for now. Submit Biometric Data (If Required): First-timers must still visit the visa application centre for fingerprints and a photograph. Once submitted, the biometrics remain valid for five years. What This Means For Indian Travellers For Indian citizens — especially frequent flyers, business professionals, and holidaymakers — this is welcome news. Last year, nearly 3 crore Indian nationals went to foreign countries, an 8% increase from 2023 that saw a 29% year-on-year jump to 2.79 crore, crossing the pre-pandemic peak of 2.69 crore that was achieved in 2019, as per Ministry of Tourism data. In the first two months of 2025, 50.9 lakh Indians travelled abroad, up 6% from the corresponding period last year, tourism ministry data showed. Europe continues to be the top travel destination for Indians, with Switzerland, France, Austria, Germany leading the pack, and Eastern European countries like Czech Republic, Hungary, and Croatia gaining popularity, the report said. Currently, the visa process involves collecting multiple documents, physically submitting them to VFS or consular offices, and waiting weeks for updates. The digitisation will: Avoid issues like misplaced passports or delayed courier returns However, Indian travellers must still meet all the existing requirements: sufficient financial proof, confirmed return tickets, travel insurance, and a genuine purpose of travel. Will Visa Rejections Still Happen? Yes. A digital system does not mean relaxed rules. Visa officers will still assess the credibility of each application. Currently, Indian applicants face rejection rates between 15% and 25%, depending on the country. Strong documentation and financial clarity will still be critical. That said, digital processing could help avoid rejections caused by administrative errors or missing forms — a common complaint with physical submissions. When Will This Be Implemented? The European Commission has stated that the digital Schengen visa platform will be ready for rollout by 2026. This gives time for IT infrastructure to be built, personnel to be trained, and countries to harmonise their visa policies on the new platform. Some pilot programmes may begin as early as late 2025, particularly in high-volume countries like India, China, and Turkey. Could This Mean Easier Visas In The Future? Digitisation could open the door to multi-entry and longer-validity visas for travellers from trusted countries like India. Already, several EU nations are pushing for 'trusted traveller" programmes that would offer 3- or 5-year visas to applicants with a clean travel history. A digital system makes it easier to track, monitor, and reward such applicants. There is also potential for integration with India's own digital platforms (like DigiLocker) to allow for faster documentation verification. The move to a fully digital Schengen visa system marks a major shift in how Europe manages its borders — and how Indian travellers plan their trips. While challenges remain around biometric verification and high rejection rates, the digitalisation promises faster service, greater transparency, and fewer logistical headaches. For Indian students, professionals, and families dreaming of strolling through Paris, skiing in the Alps, or closing deals in Berlin, the future just got a little easier — and more digital. top videos View all About the Author Shilpy Bisht Shilpy Bisht, Deputy News Editor at News18, writes and edits national, world and business stories. She started off as a print journalist, and then transitioned to online, in her 12 years of experience. Her More tags : Europe Indian Passport Schengen Visa view comments Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: August 01, 2025, 12:32 IST News zip Europe Made Travel Easier: Schengen Visa To Go Fully Digital, What It Means For Indians Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Time of India
5 hours ago
- Time of India
Himachal may vanish into thin air if tourist inflows unchecked: SC
. New Delhi: Reminding Centre and the states that earning revenue should not be prioritised over the ecology and environment, Supreme Court has expressed deep concern over uncontrolled constructions and inflow of tourists in Himachal Pradesh, saying the day is not far when the Himalayan state may vanish from the map of the country if remedial action is not taken on time. A bench of Justices J B Pardiwala and R Mahadev said that in recent years, the state witnessed many natural disasters, and it is humans, not nature, who are responsible for floods, continuous landsliding of mountains and soil, collapsing of houses and buildings, and road subsidence in which hundreds of people perished. These disasters are man-made and it is not right to blame nature for it, the court said. It appealed to Centre and the state government to intervene and stem the rot on an urgent basis. Revenue can't be earned at cost of environment: SC SC said, 'Nature has given abundant beauty to the state of HP... Taking advantage of this natural beauty, the government started constructing four-lane roads to promote it as a tourist destination. To build these roads, heavy machinery and explosives materials were used according to various reports to cut the mountains, due to which the natural balance of the place has started to deteriorate.' by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Knee Pain? Start Eating These Foods, and Feel Your Pain Go Away Click Here Undo 'We want to impress upon state government and Union of India that earning revenue is not everything. Revenue cannot be earned at the cost of the environment and ecology. If things proceed the way they are as on date, then the day is not far when the entire state of HP may vanish into thin air from the map...,' it said. 'The pace of infrastructure development in Himachal has intensified in recent years, driven by the twin goals of connectivity and tourism... In many cases, hill slopes are cut steeply, unscientifically, without adequate stabilisation measures, and natural watercourses are obstructed or diverted. This not only alters the local hydrology but also makes the terrain more vulnerable to landslides and flash floods. 'The 2023 and 2025 monsoon season, for example, saw widespread devastation in the Kullu, Mandi, Shimla and Chamba districts, partly attributed to such unscientific construction. Despite having been an environmentally rich state, its own people are today responsible for such blind pursuit of development, to their own detriment,' the court said.
NDTV
6 hours ago
- NDTV
ICYMI: 10 Recent Travel Updates Indian Travellers Should Know About
Planning your next international getaway or looking forward to festive travel within India? There's been a lot happening in the world of travel recently that you need to know about. They include visa changes, passport-related news, unique tourism initiatives, global rankings and much more. All of these can affect your plans and future trips in different ways. The good news is that most of them can prove to be beneficial. Here's a quick round-up of a few important recent updates Indian travellers should be aware of: 1. Indian Passport's Global Ranking Improved The Indian passport just made its biggest jump in years, moving up to the 77th position in the Henley Passport Index. Indian citizens can now travel to 59 countries either without a visa or by getting one on arrival. While it's still far from the world's most powerful passports, it is nevertheless a win for Indian travellers for several reasons. A stronger passport brings multifold benefits. Explore the lists of visa-free countries to know more. 2. GCC Visa Will Let You Visit 6 Gulf Nations With One Visa Planning a trip to the Middle East? Keep an eye out for a soon-to-be-launched Schengen-style visa for this region. A new GCC Grand Tours Visa will allow travellers to explore six Gulf countries (UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, and Kuwait) using just one visa. Expected to launch by the end of 2025 or early 2026, the GCC Visa promises to make regional travel across the Gulf cheaper and easier for tourists. 3. India Reopened Tourist E-Visas For Chinese Citizens After a five-year break, India has officially restarted tourist e-visa services for Chinese nationals. This decision came into effect in July 2025. It is expected to bring more Chinese tourists, business travellers, and cultural visitors to India. The move is seen as a step towards improving bilateral ties and boosting tourism exchanges between the two countries. 4. Germany's Freelance Visa Could Benefit Independent Workers If you're a freelancer, consultant, or artist looking to live and work abroad, Germany's Freelance Visa might be worth exploring. It's designed for professionals who don't need a full-time employer. This visa allows you to live in Germany while working on independent projects. It is valid for up to one year and can be extended. It seems to be a practical route for creative or remote workers from India to try working in Europe. 5. Jaipur Ranked Among The World's Best Cities In a proud moment for India, Jaipur has been named one of the top 5 cities in the world by Travel + Leisure magazine. The city was praised for its vibrant markets, historic palaces, rich cultural heritage, and the warm hospitality of its people. This accolade puts Jaipur on the global map as a city that offers an unforgettable travel experience. 6. Abu Dhabi Named The Safest City In The World Again For the ninth year in a row, Abu Dhabi has been ranked the world's safest city, according to Numbeo's 2025 Safety Index. It scored high for low crime rates and effective public safety systems. For Indian travellers planning trips to the UAE, this is reassuring news. On a national level, Ahmedabad was named the safest city in India. 7. India's First Car Ferry Train To Run Between Mumbai And Goa In a first for India, a car-carrying train is set to start operations between Mumbai and Goa during Ganesh Chaturthi 2025. Travellers will be able to load their cars onto a freight coach and then board the same train, making it easier to drive around once they reach Goa. This option could be especially useful for those heading home or on vacation during the festive season. 8. Special Trains Announced for Ganesh Chaturthi Festival Rush The Indian Railways has announced 262 special trains in order to handle the heavier-than-usual travel demand during Ganesh Chaturthi 2025. These trains will run between major cities and the Konkan region, where the festival is widely celebrated. These extra trains aim to ease overall congestion, reduce waitlists, and help people travel more comfortably during this festive season. 9. India's First Mining Tourism Project To Be Launched In Jharkhand Jharkhand is getting ready to launch India's first mining tourism experience, which will reportedly include tours of actual mining sites. This project could offer something new and educational for tourists. At the same time, it would showcase a lesser-known side of the region's economy and history. Read more about Jharkhand's mining tourism project and its current status. 10. Arunachal Pradesh May Be Declared India's 'Orchid Capital' Nature lovers, take note! Arunachal Pradesh plans to become India's Orchid Capital. With over 600 recorded species, the state boasts many rare and exotic blooms. Tourism authorities are planning to promote orchid-based eco-tourism, develop orchid parks, and boost awareness around conservation.
