LEH MERIDIAN

RETAIL THERAPY IN LADAKH’S CAPITAL ENTAILS COMBING DOWNTOWN FOR STYLISH DRAPES, SHAWLS AND FURNISHINGS IN PASHMINA, POCKETING DEALS ON SOUVENIR RUNS IN THE REFUGEE MARKET, AND SCOOPING UP JEWELLERY IN THE MAIN MARKET

- PRANNAY PATHAK

WOOLLY MAMMOTH

When you’re in Ladakh, pashmina takes precedence over every other tchotchke. Ladakhi pashmina, a warm, lustrous, and extremely premium cashmere derived from the soft underside of the Changra goats of the high valleys, is coming up in a big way in these parts. Lena Ladakh pashmina (Dr B. R. Ambedkar Complex near J&K Bank), of which you have most certainly heard, is a slow-fashion label selling natural-dyed (marigold, madder and indigo) shawls, scarves, spu ruks and the like. Their knits start at ₹11,000 and go up to ₹40,000. Looms of Ladakh, another women’s cooperative, also downtown, offers fine woollen wear (pashmina and regular sheep/yak wool) at slightly more affordable prices. The store has an adjoining bookshop where interesting titles on the region can be picked up.