HIMACHAL PRADESH
Introduction
Himachal takes its name from the Himalayas. Himachal literally means 'Land of snowy mountains'. Himalayas, the great mountain system extends almost 2,500 Km., from North-West to South-East and width of Himalayas is between 250 to 300 Km. The Himalayas are one of the youngest among the mountain system in India and these are believed to be 40 millions years old. The Himalayas are also the highest mountain system in the world.
The Greater Himalayas : The altitude of this zone ranges from 4500 meters (13,500 feet) to the highest points of the great Himalayas in different areas. The Great Himalayan range rivers along the Eastern boundary. The Satluj river divides it and separates the Spiti's (Lahaul-Spiti) drainage from Beas. Area in this zone are district Kinnaur, tehsil Pangi of Chamba district and some areas of Lahaul and Spiti. The normal rainfall in this zone is low. The climate in this zone is not cold in summer and of semi-arctic nature in winter. The soil is thick and supports variable fertility. The climate in this zone is very suitable for cultivation of dry fruits. Rainfall in this zone is low but Snowfall is very heavy. Snowfall in this zone starts in the mid of October-November to March-April. Snowfall is so heavy and geographical conditions are so odd that during the period of snowfall, the whole region remains cut off from the rest of the world. ( Loss of not having any kind of underground tunnel is clearly visible. Well ! let's see what happens in coming years. Hope that government would find a way out of this problem.) During the period of snowfall in this zone, the quality of life suffers and life looks very isolated. The famous Zanskar Range is also found in this part of the Himalayas which is Eastern most range. This range acts like a big wall by separating Spity and Kinnaur from Tibet. Zanskar Range has a number of very high peak points rising over 6,500 meters (19,500 feet). The highest among its peaks is Shilla which is 7,025 meters (21,075 feet) high. The second one is Riwo-Phargyul which is 6,791 meters (20,373 feet) high.
RECONG PEO (2670M): Located 240 km from Shimla, 7 km from Powari and 13 km from Kalpa. Recong Peo is the headquarter of district Kinnaur.
KOTHI: Just 3 km from Recong Peo. Kothi has a temple dedicated to the goddess Chanadika Devi. Set against a backdrop of mountains and graves of the deodar the temple has an unusual architectural style and fine sculpture. An exquisite gold image of goddess is enshrined in sanctum.
SANGLA VALLEY: If a landscape had the powers of casting spells, then the Sangla valley would be a magician extraordinary. Once seen, it is a place that can never be forgotten. Even the rushing waters of the Baspa river, that flow through its 95 km length, seem to absorb some of the magic and slow down to savor its snow-frame beauty. 2 km from Sangla is the fort of Kamru (300 m) its tower like architecture resembles that of the Bhima Kali complex and this was the origin of rulers of Bushehar. Chitkul (3450 m) is the last village of the valley and beyond lies Tibet.
RIBA (2745M): Just 18 km from Powari on NH-22 is famous for its vineyards and local wine 'Angoori' made from grapes.
JANGI: 26 km from Powari, the inner border is located here beyond which foreigners require permit to travel upto Tabo. From this point the famous Kinner Kailash Parikarama Trek starts touching Morang, Thangi and Kunocharang villages and entering Chitkul village in Sangla Valley.
PUH (2837m): Lush green fields, orchards of apricot, almond trees and vineyards, are to be seen on route to Puh. Just 58 km from Powari along the NH-22, Puh has rest house and basic hotel facilities.
NAKO (3662m): 117 km from Kalpa. In Hangrang Valley is the largest village above sea level. It is also famous for Nako Lake which has boating facilities in summer and during winter its frozen surface is used for ice skating. Buddhist monastery is located here.
TABO (3050m): 163 km from Kalpa and 27 km from Sando the ancient village, Tabo is situated on the left bank of river Spiti. Flanked on either side by hills, it is one of the most important Buddhist monasteries regarded by many as only next to the Tholing Gompa in Tibet. It is also known as the Ajanta of the Himalayas. Tabo is the largest monastic complex of Spiti which has since been declared a protected monument under the Archaeological Survey of India.
KAZA (3600m): 210 km from Kalpa 47 from Tabo. The headquarters of Spiti sub-district, Kaza is on the bank of river Spiti. In earlier times, it was the capital of Nono, the chief of Spiti. It has a Buddhist Monastery and Hindu Temple.
KEY GOMPA (4116m): 7 km from Kaza. The largest monastery in Spiti Valley. Established in the 11th century, it has ancient Buddhist scrolls and paintings. Also houses the largest number of Buddhist monks and nuns.
KIBBER (4205 m): 18 km from Kaza. The highest village in the world which is connected by a motorable road and also the highest village in the world which has its own polling station during elections.
KUNZAM PASS (4551m): 76 km: One of the highest motorable passes. Goddess Kunjum keeps guard over the pass and wards of the evil.
KAZA: Situated at an altitude of 3600 meter above sea level on left bank of river Spiti is presently the headquarters of Spiti sub division. Translated, 'Spiti' means the 'middle country' - a name obviously given as a result of its ties with both India and Tibet. With freckles of green over a dry, weather-beaten face, Spiti is a cold desert where the monsoon rain never comes. It is characterised by stark beauty, narrow valleys and high mountains. A century ago, Rudyard Kipling in Kim called Spiti "a world within a world" and a "place where the gods live" - a description that holds true to the present day.
TABO: (3050 m) 163 km from Kalpa is the ancient village of Tabo, situated on the left bank of river Spiti. Flanked on either sides by hills, its has one of the most important Buddhist monasteries regarded by many as only next to the Tholing Gompa in Tibet. It is also known as the Ajanta of the Himalayas. Tabo is the largest monastic complex of Spiti which has since been declared a protected monument under the aegis of Archaeological Survey of India.
KAZA: (3600m) 210 Km from Kalpa, 47 km from Tabo. The headquarters of Spiti sub-district, Kaza lies on the bank of river Spiti. In earlier times, it was the capital of Nono, the Chief of Spiti. It has a Buddhist Monastery and Hindu Temple.
KEY GOMPA: (4116m) 7 km from Kaza. The largest monastery in Spiti Valley. Established in the 11th century has ancient Buddhist scrolls and paintings. It also houses large number of Buddhist monks and nuns.
KIBBER: (4205m) 18 km from Kaza. The highest village in the world which is connected by motorable road and is the highest habitated village in the world which has its own polling station during elections.
DHANKAR: (3890m) 24 km from Tabo, this place is famous for a Buddhist monastery.
PIN VALLEY: The Pin valley lies below the Kungri Glacier and has several beautiful and important monasteries. iT is called the land of Ibex and snow leopards
KUNZAM PASS: (4551m) 76 km. One of the highest motorable pass. Goddess Kunjum keeps guard over this pass and wards off evil.
CHANDER TAL LAKE: (4270m) 7 km from Kunzam Pass, is one of the most beautiful lakes in the entire Himalayan region. Surrounded by snow, this deep blue water lake has a circumferences of 2.5 km. River Chandra flows very close to the lake.
KEYLONG: Situated at an altitude of 3350 m, Keylong is the headquarters of Lahaul and Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh. The region is strange, exciting, primitive mountainous and delightful. Rudyard Kipling said of the region "Surely the God live here this no place for men." The route to Lahaul takes a traveler over Rohtang Pass (3980 ml), Koksar (1st village of Lahaul) Sissu, Gondla and crossing the river Chandra Bhaga at Tandi
MANALI: One day, Varvasvata, the seventh incarnation of Manu found a tiny fish in his bathing water. The fish told him to look after it with devotion as one day it would do him a great service. The seventh Manu cared for the fish till the day it grew so huge that he released it into the sea. Before departing, the fish warned Manu of an impending deluge when the entire world would be submerged and bade him to build a sea worthy ark. When the flood came, Varvasvata and seven sages were towed to safety by Matsya, the fish which is regarded as first avatar of Lord Vishnu. As the water subsided the seventh Manu's ark came to the rest on a hill side and the place was named Manali (2050 m) after him.
As the flood slowly dried, here arose a place of breath- taking natural beauty which was only appropriate at Manali that life began again. Today this legendary cradle of all human kind is a prime holiday destination. There are high mountains surrounded by snow and deep boulder strewn gorges. There are thick forests full of cool breeze and bird songs. There are fields of wild flowers, small picturesque hamlets and fruit laden orchards.
NAGGAR: Situated on the left bank of river Beas at an altitude of 1851m, Naggar - an ancient town commands extensive views, especially to the North West of the valley. Naggar was the former capital of Kullu. It was founded by Raja Visudhpal and continued as a headquarters of the State until the capital was transferred to Sultanpur (Kullu) by Jagat Singh in 1460 A.D. Today this ancient and beautiful Palace is a popular tourist spot.
MANIKARAN: At 1737 m, on the right bank of river Parvati. this place is famous for hot sulphur springs revered by both Hindus and Sikhs pilgrims. Thousand, of pilgrims take dip in holy water. The water of the spring is also said to have curative value which cures many skin diseases. According to an ancient saying Manikaran is also connected with Lord Shiva and His divine concert Parvati.
KULLU: Kullu (1220m) was once known as Kulanthapitha - the end of the habitable world. Beyond rose the forbidding heights of the Greater Himalaya, and by the banks of the shining river Beas lay the fabled Silver Valley. Kullu got its first motorable access only after independence. The long centuries of seclusion have however allowed the area to retain a considerable measures of its traditional charm. Here is the core of an intricate web of numerous valleys, each of which is a visual delight and seems more beautiful than the other.
The Silver Valley has nature's treasures that lie carelessly scattered as flowers. This wealth nestles by every tree in the splendid forests, bursts forth in the blooms and in the fruit of every orchard. Here are riches which cannot be measured and echo down the ages with the words of every myth and ancient legend and glow in the warm smiles of its gentle people. There is pleasure in every step you take in these enchanted valleys and in every gurgle you hear in the clear mountain streams.
CHINDI: Hillsides covered with thick forests, acres filled with apple orchards, small picturesque hamlets and remarkable views in all directions combine to make Chindi (1825 m) and the area around it, one of the most beautiful places in Himachal Pradesh. The area is still off the beaten track and yet, has good facilities in terms of roads, small markets and accomodation. Chindi is an excellent off-beat destination that holds the charms that Himachal is just famous for.
NALDHERA: Located at distance of 22 km from Shimla, Naldehra (2044 m) is a heaven for tourists. It boasts of the oldest 9 hole golf course in the country. The well groomed Golf Course is a lovely verdant, perhaps one of the finest and sporty in India. Crowned with a springing turf the Golf Course was suggested by Lord Curzon. He was so enchanted by the place that he gave his daughter Alexendra, "Naldehra" as her second name. It is the venue of many competitions. The Nag temple is also situated here and Naldehra derives its name from it.
SHIMLA: The British empire may have ceased to exit, but its echo lingers on in Shimla (2205m). As the Summer Capital of the British in India, Shimla was the country's focus for the better part of every year and now, is the state capital of Himachal Pradesh. Today, it has well developed facilities, easy accessibility and numerous attractions making it one of India's most popular hill resort. Situated in the lower ranges of the Himalayan mountains, it is surrounded by pine deodar, oak and rhododendron forests. Towards the north lie the snow-covered high-ranges, while the valleys breathe whispering streams and swaying fields. Within the town are host of splendid colonial edifices, quaint cottages and charming walks. Shimla offers a variety of shopping, sport and entertainment activities.
FAGU;
Fagu is a tiny village aside a saddle-like mountain along Hindustan Tibet Road. A rare range of views is visible from here, which include vivid dales and snow clad peaks. The picturesque countryside is dotted with clusters of villages, fruit gardens and nearby terraced fields. Fog characterizes the hillside landscape endowed with romantic ambience. Most of the area is covered with conifers of Himalayan cedar and spruce. Located at an altitude of 2,450 m, Fagu, perhaps have derived its name from the fog itself.
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