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Located in the dizzying heights of
the Himalayas, with passes that remain closed for six months
linking them with the rest of the world, Kinnaur, Spiti & Lahaul
were till now a forbidden land. Only a chosen few were granted
permission to visit this secret world, officials, Moravian
missionaries who settled here in 1853 and a few mountaineers.
Now this area has been opened for
the daring and adventurous to discover what had been hidden from
the world for centuries.
From the riotous green of the Sangla
Valley filled with orchards of apricots, peaches, chilgozas and
apples to the magnificent desolation of the Hangrang Valley,
Mother Nature's portrait is an ever changing one in Kinnaur. This
land lying on the ancient trade route between India and Tibet,
ringed by the majestic mountain of the Himalayan and Dhauladhar
range is the land of plenty. The gushing rivers of Kinnaur abound
in Trout-the angler's prize catch, their waters have over the
centuries chiseled beautiful gorges across this picturesque land
and nurtured one of the most unique societies on there banks. In
the lush land live the descendants of the Kinners-the demi gods of
the Hindu pantheon, whose deeds have been immortalized in epics
and the poems of ancient Sanskrit poets.
PLACES OF INTEREST
RECONG PEO (2670m): Located
260 km from Shimla, Recong Peo is the district Headquarter having
a panoramic view of Kinner Kailash.
KALPA (2759m): Beyond Recong
Peo (14 kms. from Powari) on the link road, is the main village of
the District - Kalpa. Across the river, facing Kalpa is the
majesty of the Kinner Kailash range. This is a spectacluar sight
early in the morning as the rising sun touches the snowy peaks
with crimson and gold light.
SANGLA VALLEY: This valley
starts 57 kms. short of Kalpa which has been named after a
beautiful & populous village Sangla. Sangla is situated on the
right bank of Baspa river 17 kms. from Karcham. Journey from
Karcham onwards is enjoyable and adventurous throughout the
valley. The natural scenery all around and the eternal snow view
are picturesque and charming. It is also known as Baspa Valley
since Baspa river flows through this area. This is the most
charming valley in the entire District of Kinnaur. A temple
dedicated to Nages god is worth a visit & other places are Sapni,
Rackchham, Kilba, Kamru Fort which can also be visited.
CHITKUL (3450m): This is the
last and highest village in the Baspa valley. It is situated on
the right bank of Baspa river. There is a road along the left bank
from Karcham. There are 3 temples of local goddess Mathi, the main
ones are said to have been constructed about 500 years ago.
NICHAR (2150m): This village
is situated between Taranda & Wangtu on the left bank of Satluj
about 5 kms. above Wangtu. The scenery is enchanting.
KOTHI: Kothi is also called
Koshtampi. It is little below Kalpa, and is overshadowed by the
Kinner Kailash peak. The village with its attractive temple,
gracious willows green fields, fruit trees makes an altogether
lovely landscape. Goddess Shuwang Chandika temple is in the
village.
PUH: Locally pronounced Spuwa,
is 71 kms. from Recong Peo. It is situated above the national
highway-22 having all modern amenities as well as green fields,
vineyards, apricot, almond and grape orchards enhance its beauty.
The local god is called Dabla, who neither has any dwelling nor
possesses an ark. The only manifestation of the deity is a pole
with a small idol set on its upper portion and adorned with Yak
tail hair and long pieces of colored cloth. The whole being called
Fobrang, it is occasion brought to the Santhang.
RAKCHHAM (2900m): Rakchham is
situated on the right bank of river Baspa. Its name has been
derived from "Rak" a stone and "Chham" a bridge. The location of
the village is striking.
RIBBA (2745m): Ribba or
Rirang is another large populous village at a distance of 14 kms.
from Morang. Situated between the villages of Purbani & Rispa. In
the local dialect ri stands for Chilgoza and rang means a peak of
a mountain. Another village Rispa is known for grapes.
LIPPA (2438m): Situated near
the left bank of Taiti stream. The village can be approached from
Kalpa by the old Hindustan Tibet road to Jangi-Lippa-14 kms. Ibex
are said to be found near the forest. The three Budhist
monasteries here are dedicated to Galdang, Chhoiker Dunguir and
Kangyar.
MORANG (2591): This village
is situated 39 kms. away from Kalpa on the left bank of river
Satluj. The location is very beautiful and approach to this
picturesque village is through apricot orchards. The local deity
is Urmig and there are three structures dedicated to the deity
each existing in Thwaring, Garmang and Shilling. Generally these
are empty as the ark of the deity remains in the fort. On a sacred
day the ark is taken to the above named places. The ark has got 18
'mukh', made of silver, gold and brass. The 18 mukh represents the
18 days of the great epic Mahabharat .
CHANGO (3058m): At a distance
of 122 kms. from Kalpa,is a collection of 4 hamlets in Pargna
Shuwa, sub-tehsil, Hangrang on the left bank of river Spiti. It is
encircled on every side by high hills which is a witness to the
presence of a former lake. Buddhism is generally practised here
but there are some local Hindu deities too namely Gyalbo, Dabla
and Yalsa.
NAKO (3662m): Situated about
2 kms. above the Hangrang valley road and is 103 kms. from Kalpa
on the western direction of the huge mountain of Pargial. This is
the highest village in the valley and the existence of lake formed
out of the masses of the ice and snow above adds beauty to the
village. Local village deity is Deodum and another Lagang temple
with several idols exist here.
KINNER KAILASH CIRCUIT (PARIKRAMA):
One can undertake this holy parikrama from Morang and return to
Kalpa / Karcham in 7- 8 days.
For more Information
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