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| Lahaul-Spiti became the district of Himachal Pradesh
in 1960 and is one of the frontier districts of India. It is 120 km.
away from Manali and has snow fed glaciers and barren mountains. Keylong
is the headquarter of Lahaul-Spiti and oasis of green fields. The
two valleys at Lahaul and Spiti have a tenous link over the Kunzam
Pass ( 4,520 metres ). The two twin valleys, Lahaul and Spiti in the
North-Eastern corner of Himachal, protected by distance is a region
of nature at its wildest which has lent it much enchantment. The threshold
of one of the Lahaul plateau is nourished by the Chandra and Bhaga
rivers and is surrounded by high mountains on all sides, the Great
Himalayas to the North, the Pir Panjal to the South and the Spiti
and Chandra watershed to the East. Lahaul has curious mixture of Buddhist
and Hinduism. There are a number of Monasteries and Temples. |
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Lahaul Spiti : General Information |
| Altitude :- |
3,165 meters. |
| Headquarter :- |
Keylong ( 3,165 meters ) |
| Location :- |
Situated between 31°44'57''
and 32°59'57'' North Latitude and between 76°46'29'' and 78°41'34''
East Longitudes. To its North lies Jammu and Kashmir, to the East
is Tibet, to South-East is Kullu and Kinnaur and to South-West and
West is Chamba. |
| Access by Air :- |
The sole access to Lahaul-Spiti lies over
the 3,978 metres high Rohtang Pass. The high Rohtang Pass is at the
top of the Kullu valley near Manali. |
| Access by Rail :- |
The sole access to Lahaul-Spiti lies over
the 3,978 metres high Rohtang Pass. The high Rohtang Pass is at the
top of the Kullu valley near Manali. |
| Access by Road :- |
The sole access to Lahaul-Spiti lies over
the 3,978 metres high Rohtang Pass. The high Rohtang Pass is at the
top of the Kullu valley near Manali. |
| Distance :- |
Distance between Keylong and Manali is
115 km. And distance between Keylong and Shimla ( via Kunzum Pass
) is 610 km. |
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Famous Places around Lahaul Spiti :- |
| Keylong :- ( 3,340 meters) located above Bhaga
river, the district headquarters of Lahaul-Spiti has been described
as oasis of green fields, willow planted water courses, brown hills
and snowy peaks. In the past, Keylong was home of the Moravian missionaries.
There well known monasteries, Tayul, Khardong, and Shashur are within
a few kilometers radius. |
| Khoksar :- ( 3,140 meters) a break and windswept
place is the first village and gateway toLahaul and on the right bank
of the river Chandra 5 kms. from 'Gramphoo'. During winter Khoskar
is the coldest inhabited place in Lahaul. The river freezes during
winter and is covered with snow to afford regular passage for human
beings and also for mule traffic. Khoksar is located on the old trade
route from Indian plains to the west Asia. |
| Tandi :- ( 2,573 meters) is situated at the confluence
of Chamba and Bhaga rivers. A legend says that there were two lovers,
'Chandra', the daughter of the Moon and 'Bhaga', the son of the Sun
god. To perform their eternal marriage, they dedicated to climb to
the 'Baralacha La' and from there they ran in opposite directions.
Chandra being active and smart, easily found her way down the pass
and reached 'Tandi'. Soon Bhaga was found coming with great struggle
through the narrow gorges to Tandi, where ultimately both met and
the celestial marriage was performed. Tandi's importance for the people
of Lahaul is same as it is 'Haridwar' for the Hindus. |
| Gondhla :- ( 3,160 meters) is located on the river
bank of the river Chandra. House of the thakur of Gondhla, called
Gondhla castle or fort, is the maiin attraction. According to district
gazetteer, this was built in 1700 A.D. by Raja od Kullu Man Singh
whose influence stretched upto the Lingti Plains beyond the Baralacha-La.
But present Thakur Fateh Chand says that it was 20 generations old.
This is eight story building. Raja Man Singh of Kullu had stayed there
in 1720 A.D. while on his way to Trilokinath Temple. Remains of the
past are lying there. Age old custumes, furniture and idols are also
strewn around in a state of neglect. The 'Sharab Raldi' i.e. 'Sword
of Wisdom' given to the Thakur by Dalai Lama in the past is also there
in the possession of present Thakur. This sword seems to have been
built in the 'Toledo' technique of Spain. In the month of July a fair
is held when Lamas dance and enjoy. This fair attracts a large number
of visitors. |
| Jispa :- It is in Lahaul valley, located
on the bank of Bhaga river. There is a big camping ground. Sufficient
trout fish is available in the river. |
| Darcha :- (3,360 meters) It is in
Lahaul valley from where trekkers start their trek to Padam via Singola
as well as Barlacha/Phirtsela. Beyond this point there are hardly
any trees. Yotche and Zanskar nallahs meet Bhaga river here from different
directions. |
| Baralacha La Pass :- (4,883 meters)
It is in Lahaul valley, 73 kms. from Keylong. The name Baralacha means
'Pass with cross roads on summit' (Roads from Ladakh, Spiti and Lahaul
join on the top of it). There is no road yet from Spiti, only a path
exists. This pass is also an origin of Chandra, Bhaga and Yamuna rivers.
They flow to three different directions, through the Chandra, Bhaga
and Lingti valleys. |
| Sarchu :- is the last border point
in Lahaul valley between Himachal Pradesh and Ladakh region of Jammu
and Kashmir. |
| Shansha :- It is situated on the
right bank of river Chandra and Bhaga (chenab) in Lahaul valley. The
'Ghepan' a powerfull deity of Lahaul is believed to be born there.
A shrine dedicated to the deity has also been built in the village. |
| Udaipur :- (2,743 meters) In olden
times this village was known as 'Markul' and so the name of the local
goddess is 'Markula Devi. Her temple is unique and is very famous
for its wooden carvings on its roof and ceiling. This place is therefore
a starting point for Mayur valley and further to Zanskar and other
peaks. |
| Kunzum Pass :- ( 4,590 metres ) As
Rohtang pass is a gateway to Lahaul so Kunzum pass is the gateway
to Spiti from Kulu & Lahaul. After crossing Rohtang pass and driving
20kms, one has to turn right from Gramphoo. While going to this pass,
the panoramic view of Bara-Sigri glacier (second longest glacier in
the world) is enthrilling and inspiring. The crest of the pass has
been marked by a chorten of stones erected ages ago. |
| Kaza :- (3,800 meters) It is sub-divisional
headquarters of Spiti valley. It is situated at the foot of the steep
ridges on the left bank of Spiti river. Once it was the headquarters
of the 'Nano' the chief of Spiti. It is 425 kms. from Shimla. |
| Tabo ( village and monastery ) : - At the right
of Spiti river, is an ancient village named Tabo, flanked on either
side by lofty brown hills and sun burnt, is the seat of one of the
most famous Buddhist monasteries - Sherlang, Duang, Chamba, Chibbo,
Domlang Gompas, regarded by many as only next to the Thelong Gompa
in Tibet. The 10th Century Tabo monastery houses more than 60 lamas.
Large number of scriptures and pieces of art, wall paintings - 'Tankhas'
and 'Stucco'. |
| KI-Monastery :- It is the oldest and the biggest
monastery of Spity dominating Ki-Village. About 300 lamas are receiving
their religious training in its monastery, which houses rare paintings
and beautiful scriptures of Buddha and other gods and goddesses. It
is serving western population of Spity. |
| Yang-Yud Gompa :- It is located near a narrow gorge
of Kaza Nullah (1,300 feet high cliff) The head of the monastery -
Lama is from Tibet. It is serving western part of Central Spity. |
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