‘Sacred Art of Ladakh: Fading Treasures’ Unveiled, Highlighting the Region’s Fragile Buddhist Heritage
Leh, Ladakh, October 2, 2026: ANB Sacred Art of Ladakh: Fading Treasures, a visually rich coffee-table book documenting Ladakh’s sacred Buddhist art, architecture and spiritual traditions, was unveiled by Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Vinai Kumar Saxena, at The Grand Dragon Ladakh in Leh.
Authored by industrialist, explorer and photographer Shreekant Somany and published by Niyogi Books, the book seeks to document and draw attention to Ladakh’s rich yet increasingly vulnerable cultural and artistic heritage.
Speaking on the occasion, Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena described the publication as an important documentation of Ladakh’s cultural legacy, noting that it goes beyond photography to highlight the region’s artistic, philosophical and spiritual traditions.
He said the age of the artworks and exposure to environmental conditions had made several elements of Ladakh’s heritage increasingly vulnerable, making their documentation and preservation a collective responsibility. He commended Somany for bringing the region’s heritage to a wider audience and highlighting the need for its protection.
The project is the outcome of Somany’s nine journeys to Ladakh spanning more than four decades, beginning with his first visit in 1981. During his travels, he documented fading pigments, water-damaged murals and deteriorating plasterwork, much of which represents the work of generations of largely unknown artists.
Over the years, photography became for Somany not merely an artistic pursuit but also a means of preserving a visual record of cultural treasures that could otherwise be lost.
The book brings together photographs and scholarly insights covering 16 sacred and historic sites, including Lamayuru, Mangyu, Sumda, Wanla, Thiksey, Hemis and Leh Palace. It also documents ancient monasteries, rock-carved statues, murals, sculptures, palaces, caves and forts, including several lesser-known heritage sites.
Through the publication, Somany seeks to promote greater awareness of Ladakh’s fading artistic and spiritual traditions and encourage efforts for their preservation for future generations. In support of this objective, he has pledged the entire royalty from the book’s sales to initiatives aimed at safeguarding the region’s heritage.
“Ladakh has drawn me back repeatedly not only for its landscape, but for the depth of faith, artistry and history held within its monasteries and monuments,” Somany said. He described the book as an effort to share what he had witnessed during his journeys and encourage greater appreciation and care for a heritage that remains precious but vulnerable.
The publication also introduces readers to the symbolism and iconography associated with Buddhist art while highlighting the threats posed by time, weather and physical deterioration to Ladakh’s historic artistic legacy.
About Shreekant Somany
Shreekant Somany is an industrialist, explorer, photographer and patron of the arts. He is Chairman and Managing Director of Somany Ceramics Limited and has spent more than five decades building the company into a prominent ceramics and building-solutions enterprise in India. His photographic work, exhibited in India and abroad, reflects his longstanding engagement with culture, craftsmanship and heritage. ANB
