Ladakh, the Mekka of Bikers. They say if you are a biker you should go to Ladakh at least once in your lifetime. Riding a bike on the Ladakh terrains of course. The moment we enter the district we can see colorful pieces of cloths hanging on and around the places like houses and temples. We recognize the colorful cloths by the name "Lung ta", Prayer flag or Ladakh flag. This flag has a special place in hearts of all the bikers. Before moving forward let’s go back to the roots of Lung Ta and dive in the history of it.
According to Wikipedia, Lung Ta is a rectangular colorful cloth. We can often find it in the Himalayan regions. Well, they are not just pieces of cloth with writing on them which we don’t understand. It is believed that ancient prayers and the powerful symbol on them produce a spiritual vibration that is carried by the wind. This article is not a ‘Lung Ta 101’ and you can find more information on Prayer Flags here.
Bikers who have traveled Ladakh know how important the flag is in the biking community. Some believe that tying the lung Ta on the bike brings good luck. We often see that many bikers tie the flag on their bikes mostly connected to their rear view mirrors. There’s an unwritten code between bikers. You are only allowed tie a Lung Ta on your bike only if you have seen and experienced Ladakh/ Tibetan culture and believe in their way of peace.
It sadly has given birth to afad of tying the flag on the bikes, bikers non-bikers alike. Well, it’s free country, and people are allowed to tie anything so long as they are doing it on their bikes. However, the display of prayer flags without really knowing about their meaning and their cultural importance is of course not a good thing to do. And that is why most of the bikers don’t like people miss-using the Lung Ta to look cool. Most of the cool-guys just do it because they have seen it on other bikes.
Riding to Ladakh is much more than just riding on the bad roads, it’s about letting yourself go and experience the beautiful land and understand the culture. People who have been there and done that would always have respect to the flags they tie on their bikes. Well it is my take on the Lung Ta. Do comment below if you want to add something. Goodbye and keep riding.
By: Rituraj Sambherao
At Suru Valley- The sightings of prayer flags were reassuring and calming on the deserted Kargil– Padum road.
According to Wikipedia, Lung Ta is a rectangular colorful cloth. We can often find it in the Himalayan regions. Well, they are not just pieces of cloth with writing on them which we don’t understand. It is believed that ancient prayers and the powerful symbol on them produce a spiritual vibration that is carried by the wind. This article is not a ‘Lung Ta 101’ and you can find more information on Prayer Flags here.
*** ChangLa Top covered with Prayer Flags
Bikers who have traveled Ladakh know how important the flag is in the biking community. Some believe that tying the lung Ta on the bike brings good luck. We often see that many bikers tie the flag on their bikes mostly connected to their rear view mirrors. There’s an unwritten code between bikers. You are only allowed tie a Lung Ta on your bike only if you have seen and experienced Ladakh/ Tibetan culture and believe in their way of peace.
It sadly has given birth to afad of tying the flag on the bikes, bikers non-bikers alike. Well, it’s free country, and people are allowed to tie anything so long as they are doing it on their bikes. However, the display of prayer flags without really knowing about their meaning and their cultural importance is of course not a good thing to do. And that is why most of the bikers don’t like people miss-using the Lung Ta to look cool. Most of the cool-guys just do it because they have seen it on other bikes.
*** Duke 390 wearing the Lung Ta with pride @ Pangong - Tso
Riding to Ladakh is much more than just riding on the bad roads, it’s about letting yourself go and experience the beautiful land and understand the culture. People who have been there and done that would always have respect to the flags they tie on their bikes. Well it is my take on the Lung Ta. Do comment below if you want to add something. Goodbye and keep riding.
By: Rituraj Sambherao