Rock-cut Bodhisattva, Kargil, Ladakh The Rock-cut Bodhisattva Maitreya at Mulbekh, rising nearly fifty feet high, stands as a remarkable symbol of Ladakh’s early Buddhist heritage. Carved into a towering rock face, the colossal image represents Bodhisattva Maitreya, revered in Buddhist tradition as the Future Buddha. The sculpture displays rich iconographic detail - the principal right hand is shown in Varada Mudra, symbolising boon-giving, while the left hand holds a flask. The upper right hand carries a rosary, and the upper left hand holds a flower. Believed to date back to 9th century C.E., this magnificent rock-cut sculpture reflects the early spread of Buddhism across the trans-Himalayan region all the way to Central Asia, Far-east and continues to be an enduring testament to Ladakh’s cultural legacy. Source: Archaeological Survey of India