{"id":58050,"date":"2016-06-05T16:21:44","date_gmt":"2016-06-05T10:51:44","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.mapsofindia.com\/my-india\/?p=58050"},"modified":"2017-11-15T12:13:51","modified_gmt":"2017-11-15T06:43:51","slug":"spiti-valley-a-travellers-delight","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mapsofindia.com\/my-india\/india\/spiti-valley-a-travellers-delight","title":{"rendered":"Spiti Valley – A traveller’s delight"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Spiti<\/a><\/p>\n

Spiti Valley is also known popularly as Little Tibet and is situated in the part of Himalayas located in Himachal Pradesh<\/a>. It can be accessed only during the summer season and is basically a remote location. It is a nature lover\u2019s delight given the fact that it is surrounded by glaciers and mountains. You can also see a number of villages nestled high atop mountain crests and several monasteries that have a lot of history in spite of their rather quaint appearance. The streams and rivers here are as clear as crystal. With the many monks dressed in robes and prayer flags swaying in the wind, you can be forgiven for thinking that you are somewhere in Tibet.<\/p>\n

Origin of the name<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The word Spiti means middle land, which indicates its location between India and China. It was originally known as Piti.<\/p>\n

How to get to Spiti<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The commonest way to get to Spiti is by cabs or buses that ply to this location from different towns in Himachal Pradesh and other parts of North India. You can first come by rail or bus to Shimla, which is 309 km from Spiti. The railway stations of Jogindher Nagar and Chandigarh are located pretty close by as well. The road that comes through Rohtang Pass is normally closed for 6 months owing to snowfall. You can also take the road via Manali since it is supposed to take the least time.<\/p>\n

A historical outlook<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Historically speaking, Spiti was located in the kingdom of Western Tibet also known as Nariss Korssum. During the eleventh century, Nimagon, the reigning king, divided it among his three sons. This led to the creation of Spiti and Zanskar as a separate kingdom. The kingdom however paid tributes to Ladakh, Kullu, and Chamba. Soon, the kingdom became part of Ladakh and was ruled by a hereditary wazir called Nono.<\/p>\n

After the Ladakh-Tibet War of 1681-83 the kingdom became independent. Soon it was invaded by the Raja of Kullu, Man Singh. Ladakh wrested back control during the eighteenth century with the Nono back to governing the region. It came under the control of East India Company after the Sikhs were defeated in 1846. Till 1940 Spiti was part of Kullu subdivision of Kangra district. However, the Nonos still ruled locally. Lahaul and Spiti became a sub-tehsil in 1941 with a naib-tehsildar taking over the reins from Keylong. This system remained in force till June 1960 when Lahaul and Spiti became a separate district.<\/p>\n

Places to visit<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Komik<\/em><\/strong> \u2013 also spelled as Koumik – Village is reputed to be the highest of its kind in the continent and is one that you should not miss.<\/p>\n

Lhalung Gompa<\/em><\/strong>, also referred to as Golden Temple, is a fantastic creation from the medieval ages.<\/p>\n

Udaipur hamlet<\/em><\/strong> is well known for Marikula Mata temple, which is an ancient one.<\/p>\n

Key Gompa<\/em><\/strong> \u2013 also spelt as Ki – is at least 1000 years old and is the biggest centre for Buddhist learning in the valley.<\/p>\n

Lossar<\/em><\/strong> is the first village that you see when you come in through Kunzum La.<\/p>\n

Dhankar Gompa<\/em><\/strong> used to be the capital of Spiti during the seventeenth century. It is at the tallest location over here. It is around 1000-1200 years old.<\/p>\n

Pin Valley National Park<\/em><\/strong> has at least 20 species of animals and birds including the famed snow leopard.<\/p>\n

Tabo Gompa<\/em><\/strong> is also known as the Ajanta of Himalayas and is located at a height of 10,007 feet.<\/p>\n

The word Chandratal<\/em><\/strong> \u2013 also spelt as Chandra Tal, Chandra Taal, and Chander Taal \u2013 means Moon Lake. It is a beautiful, yet barren lake, situated at a height of 14100 feet.<\/p>\n

Tangyud Gompa<\/em><\/strong> is one of the main monasteries and was built probably during the fourteenth century.<\/p>\n

Tsuglkang<\/em><\/strong> is the assembly hall of Tabo Gompa. Here you will find almost lifelike clay replicas of the 32 bodhisattvas.<\/p>\n

Kunzum La<\/em><\/strong> is the 4551 metre long pass that separates Spiti from Lahaul. Here you will find a number of stupas.<\/p>\n

Ugyen Sangnak Choling Gompa<\/em><\/strong> is located at Kungri and is 680 years old. Its new monastery building is large and there are three interesting temples from the Middle Ages.<\/p>\n

Dhankar Fort<\/em><\/strong> is located at the hilltop overlooking the synonymous monastery. It is basically the ruins of the said historic fort built from mud and bricks.<\/p>\n

Bara Shigri Batal<\/em><\/strong> acts as the starting point for the trek to Bara Shigri, which is located nearby and is one of the tallest glaciers of Himalaya.<\/p>\n

The modern Buddha statue<\/em><\/strong> was built over three years from 2002-2005. It overlooks the whole valley and is located in front of a 500-year-old temple.<\/p>\n

Dhankar Tso<\/em><\/strong> is a small lake, which takes around an hour to walk from Dhankar Village. You can see the Manirang peaks from here.<\/p>\n

Ser-Khang Temple<\/em><\/strong> is well known for the exquisite paintings of goddess Usnishavijaya and green Tara.<\/p>\n

The new monastery at Dhankar<\/em><\/strong> is located 800 metres from the older gompa and was built in 2009.<\/p>\n

Best time to visit<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The best time to visit is the period from May to October. There are not many accommodation options over here. You can get guesthouses \u2013 private and governmental \u2013 at the following locations:<\/p>\n