Is this Paradise?

As I lie in the dark wilderness, 
Looking up at the black sky,
Dotted with innumerable stars.
I wonder—'Is this Paradise?'

As I sit on.the banks of Tsos in the daytime,
My feet in the cool water,
Whose colour is same as the sky,
I wonder—'Is this Paradise?'

As I pray in the holy halls,
Of  the many ancient Gompas,
Facing statues of the Great Buddha,
I wonder—'Is this Paradise?'

As I trek up precipitous slopes,
Where every footstep is a battle with danger,
Only to reach an enchanting glacier,
I wonder—'Is this Paradise?'

No, no and, again, No,
This is the land of Tsos and Las,
This is the jewel in India's Crown.
This is Ladakh, the Land of Passes!