Darcha

Darcha
—  village  —
Darcha Location of Darcha in Himachal Pradesh and India
Coordinates	33°15′42″N 77°11′44″E / 33.261657°N 77.195435°E / 33.261657; 77.195435Coordinates: 33°15′42″N 77°11′44″E / 33.261657°N 77.195435°E / 33.261657; 77.195435
Country	India
State	Himachal Pradesh
District(s)	Lahaul and Spiti
Population • Density	298 (2001[update]) • 584 /km2 (1,513 /sq mi)
Time zone	IST (UTC+05:30)
Area • Elevation	0.51 square kilometres (0.20 sq mi) • 3,360 metres (11,020 ft)

Darcha (elev. 3360 m^[1]) is village on the Bhaga River in Lahaul, Himachal Pradesh, India. It is the northernmost permanent settlement in Himachal Pradesh along the Manali-Leh Highway.^[2] The Rough Guide to India describes it as "a lonely cluster of dry-stone huts and dingy tent camps".^[3]

The village has 65 households and a total population of 298, of which 152 are male and 146 are female.^[4] There are 2 residents belonging to scheduled castes and 222 belonging to scheduled tribes.^[4] Primary schooling is available in the village; there are no medical facilities.^[4] Drinking water is available, and the village has power and telephone connections.^[4]

Some buses between Manali and Leh stop for the night in Darcha, where travelers sleep in tents.^[5] The village is the endpoint of a popular trek beginning in Padum, Zanskar.^[2] All passing vehicles must stop at Darcha's police checkpoint for passport checks.^[2][5][6] Roadside stalls offer basic food.^[2]

References

1. ^ http://himachaltourism.gov.in/post/Darcha.aspx
2. ^ ^{a b c d} http://books.google.com/books?id=T7ZHUhSEleYC&pg=PA341
3. ^ http://books.google.com/books?id=kAMik_6LbwUC&pg=PA523
4. ^ ^{a b c d} 2001 India Census. See censusindia.gov.in (registration required). Data aggregated for Darcha Dangma and Darcha Sumdol.
5. ^ ^{a b} http://books.google.com/books?id=vdMNBxOsvrUC&pg=RA1-PA168
6. ^ http://books.google.com/books?id=TyZGp_YVzb8C&pg=PA196