Padum (also spelt Padam) is the largest town and administrative centre of Zanskar tehsil of Kargil district in the state of Jammu and Kashmir, India.

Geography

Padum is located at . It has an average elevation of 3,669 metres (12,037 feet). There are several small villages around Padum.

The traditional heart of the village is below the gompa where two large chortens stand above old buildings. A road was constructed in 1980 across Pensi La. Padum has several hotels and restaurants meant for tourists. Padum has a post office, internet cafes and telephone booths.

People

Padum is inhabited by people of Tibetan descent who follow Tibetan Buddhism. There is a sizeable Sunni Muslim number (accounting for ~40% of the towns population), mainly Balti who have been present in Padum since the 17th century. A mosque was built in Padum in recent years to cater the local Muslim population.

References

External links

• Photos of Padum