Spiti Valley

The Spiti valley is a desert mountain valley located high in the Himalaya mountains. It possesses a distinctive Buddhist culture similar to that found in nearby Tibet and the Ladakh region of India. The valley and surrounding region is one of the least populated regions in India and is the gateway to the northernmost reaches of the nation. Along the northern route from Manali, Himachal Pradesh or Keylong via the Rohtang pass or Kunzum pass respectively, the valley lies in the North East of the Indian hill state of Himachal Pradesh, and forms part of the Lahul and Spiti district. The sub divisional headquarters (capital) is Kazacite web | title=Himachal Tourism - Lahaul & Spiti District | work=Department of Tourism & Civil Aviation, Government of Himachal Pradesh | url=http://himachaltourism.nic.in/laha.htm#kaza | accessdate = 2008-09-28] .

Lahul and Spiti is surrounded by high mountain ranges. The Rohtang Pass, at 3,979 metres, separates Lahul and Spiti from the Kullu Valley. Lahul and Spiti are cut off from each other by the higher Kunzum Pass, at 4,590 metres. A road connects the two divisions, but is cut off frequently in winter and spring due to heavy snow. The valley is likewise cut off from the north up to eight months of the year by heavy snowfalls and thick icing conditions. A southern route to India proper is periodically closed for brief periods in the winter storms of November through June, but road access is usually restored a few days after storms end via Shimla and the Sutlej valley in the Kinnaur district.

Culture

Spiti valley is a research and cultural centre for Buddhists. Highlights include Ki Monastery and Tabo Monastery, one of the oldest monasteries in the world and a favourite of the Dalai Lamacite web | title=Lahaul & Spiti District, Himachal Pradesh, India | work=District Lahaul & Spiti, Government of India | url=http://hplahaulspiti.gov.in/tabo.htm] .

It was the location of the spectacular scenery and cinematography in the 2006 Indian film "Milarepa", a biographical adventure tale about one of Buddhism's most famous Tibetan saints. The Buddhist monastery in the valley served as the locus of the set and some of the monks appeared in the film.

The Pin Valley of Spiti is home to the few surviving Phuchen Lamas of the Nyingmapa sect of Buddhism.

The small town of Manali was the beginning of an ancient trade route to Ladakh and, from there, over the Karakoram Pass on to Yarkand and Khotan in the Tarim Basin.

References

External links

* [http://www.wide-aware.com/community/Article16.htm Cultural information]
* [http://www.wide-aware.com/community/Article17.htm Tantric lamas of Spiti]