Padum

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Padum (also Padam ) is the largest town and the administrative center of the Kargil District associated Zanskar Tehsil in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. It is located 240 km from Kargil.

Description

The population is about 1000. The traditional village is below the Gompa, where two large chorten above are in large buildings. 1980, a road from Kargil over the Pensi La was built Padum. The village has several hotels and restaurants for tourists. There is a post office, internet cafes and telephone booths.

Geography

Padum is located in the center of Zanskar and has an average altitude of 3669 m. Several small villages are located around Padum.

Population

Padum is mainly inhabited by people of Tibetan origin, whose religion is Tibetan Buddhism. But there is a significant Muslim minority ( about 40 % of the population ), mainly Balti living in Padum since the 17th century. Some years ago a mosque was built.

Padum Valley

The Padum Valley is drained by the river Doda, whose source is fed from the Drang Drung glacier near the Pensi La. Further below opens the Doda in the Zanskar river.

Some interesting Buddhist monasteries are located near Padum, including Bardan and Kursha.

• Location in Jammu and Kashmir