Lahaul & Spiti

Lahaul & Spiti is a big district having international boundary with Tibet. It  attained the status of a district in the year 1960. Till then it was merely a tehsil of Kullu Sub-division. The valleys. mountains, glaciers, rivers, forests, pastures, gompas (monastries) and ancient buildings of the former ruling dynasty are the principal objects of study.

TOURIST PLACES IN LAHAUL & SPITI

SPITI

     Spiti (locally pronounced 'Piti') or the 'middle country', has its sub divisional headquarters at Kaza. The river Spiti originates at the base of the Kunzam range and flows eastward to join the Sutlej at Khab in Kinnaur. In practical isolation for centuries, Spiti has an intensely introvertive culture centred around its several monasteries- Dhankar, Ki, Tabo, Mud, Gungri, Lidang, Hikim, Sagnam, Mane Gogma and Giu to name a few.
     Spiti has come to be known as the "fossil park of the world". The three villages Kibber, Kaza & Kye fall on the route faovourite among those looking for fossils. These villages are situated at heights between 13,500 ft. and 14,400 ft. above msl. Langza is famous for fossils of maritime life. These fossils are found on either side of Kang-yur and Paapen-yu nullahs near the village.


KAZA

          Kaza, the sub-divisional headquarters of Spiti, is situated on the left bank of the Spiti river at an altitude of about 12,500 ft. above msl. The village is overlooked by steep ridges. The otherwise soporific place hums with activity of tourists during summer, who converge here for permits, current exchange, information, accommodation, petrol and to witness the annual trade fair which a number of visitors compare with the fairs in some of the gompa towns of Ladakh. Besides, Kaza makes a ideal base camp for all treks and tours within the valley. Guides, porters, pack animals and most importantly permits for treks can be obtained in Kaza.
     There are two rest houses in Kaza proper. The Electricity Board rest house is at Rangrik just 4 km away. It is the best in the valley.  Kaza has one of the two Sa- kya- pa sect monasteries. The other monastery is at Hikkim. Opposite Kaza on the right bank of the Spiti river is Kyuling from where the nono of Spiti ruled over his subjects. Rani Damyanti, a descendent of this ruling, family, now resides in Kaza preserving all the stately charm of the yester years. 

KUNZAM PASS

        This pass is situated at 60 kms from Gamphu on the Gramphu-Kaza- Sumdo road. It provides chief access to the Spiti-valley from Lahaul which is separated from the Spiti valley by the great Kunzom range, and from where the Spiti, pronounced Piti, the chief river of the area takes its source. Though higher than the Rohtang Pass, Kunzom is safer and provides easier ascent and descent. The altitude of this pass is about 4590 m. The panorama as viewed from the top is breathtaking. The lofty Shigri Parbat can be seen right in front in all its grandeur. The crest of the pass has been marked by a chhorten of stones erected ages ago. Recently a temple has been built on the top. A hut has also been built for the people to take shelter.
    The crest of the pass is marked by a wall of mani stones clearly suggesting that one is now stepping into a Buddhist country. A temple dedicated to Durga, the fierce female deity, was built by some gaddies but it could not withstand avalanches and today is in ruins.   

Bilaspur

The Bilaspur district is situated in Satluj valley in the outer hills and covers area of 1,167 sq. Kms. Its boundaries touch Una, Hamirpur, Mandi and Solan districts. Satluj is the main river which passes through the middle of the district and divides it into almost equal parts.The New Township Bilaspur should be regarded as the first planned hill town of the country.The best months from visiting this place are from September to December.

There are seven hill ranges in the district i.e. Naina Devi, Kot, Jhanjiar, Tiun, Bandala, Bahadurpur and Rattanpur that is why this district is known as Satdhar Kahloor in the princely times. Majority of these constitutes a changar agro-ecological situation of the district.

Area & Population :

As per Census 2001, the area of Bilaspur is 115445 Hectares and population is 3,40735. The density of population is 292 persons per sq. Km against the figure of 93 persons for the whole state and sex ratio is 992 females per 1000 males. There are four towns namely Bilaspur, Ghumarwin, Berthin, Namhol, 136 panchayats and 1044 villages.

Main tourist spot :

Famous Temples :

Mandir Jalapa Mai Sangirathi – 14 kms, Lakshmi Narain Temple – 40 kms, Shri Naina Devi Ji – 58 kms.

Famous Forts :

Bahadurpur Fort (1,980 m) – 40 kms, Tiun Fort – 55 kms, Sarium Fort (1,500 m) – 58 kms.

HIMACHAL PRADESH

Himachal Pradesh is a captivating region of the Indian Himalayas. Himachal Pradesh is Region of snowy mountains.Himachal Pradesh has twelve districts namely, Kangra, Hamirpur, Mandi, Bilaspur, Una, Chamba, Lahul and Spiti, Sirmaur, Kinnaur, Kullu, Solan and Shimla.
The state capital is Shimla which was formerly British India's summer capital under the name Simla.The state capital Shimla is easily accessed from Delhi by train.
The state of Himachal Pradesh has boundaries with the Jammu and Kashmir in the North, Uttar Pradesh in the Southeast, China on east, Haryana in the South and Punjab in the West. It is located between 30"22' and 30"12' north latitude and between 75"47' and 79"4' east longitude. The mountainous state has altitudes ranging from 350 to 7000 meters (1050 ft. to 21000 ft.) above the sea level.
Today,Himachal Pradesh is one of the most important tourist destinations in India.Himachal Pradesh is the land of eternal snow peaks abounds in exotic valleys, glorious green hill-slopes, mountains, streams and the hills of Himalayas welcome the tourists from all over the world. 

A little bit about every district of Himachal Pradesh

SHIMLA

Shimla also spelt Simla, is one of India’s most famous hill stations was the former summer capital of the British in India, and the present capital of Himachal Pradesh, Shimla offers a wonderful experience to the tourists.
Shimla is the capital of the state of Himachal Pradesh in India.Visit Shimla anytime during the year, its forever beautiful. But it surely gets an added charm during the monsoons when the hills turn lush green. Winters too make it brilliant as soft snow covers the land and makes it shine pristine white. Ancient temples and old churches are worth visiting. Stop at one of the hills and find mist enveloping you and everything else around.
Shimla's cool climate is the precise reason why it is such a popular summer retreat.
The nearest broad gauge head is at Kalka - a four-hour journey from Delhi. After that, take the mountain train from Kalka to Shimla.

Main Tourist spots
1.The Mall
2.Jakhu Temple
3.Dorje Drag Monastery
4.The Ridge
5.Christ Church
6.Lower Bazaar
7.Viceregal Lodge
8.Hip Hip Hurray Amusement Park




KULLU-MANALI

40 kms. away from Kulu to the north, Manali is situated near the end of the valley on the National Highway leading to Leh. The landscape here is breath taking. One sees well-defined snow capped peaks, the Beas river with its clear water meanders through the town. On the other side are deodar and pine trees, tiny fields and fruit orchards. It is an excellent place for a holiday, a favorite resort for trekkers to Lahaul, Spiti, Kinnaur, Leh and Zanskar regions in Kashmir valley. It is known as the SWITZERLAND OF INDIA.

Manali is Situated at the northen end of the Kullu Valley, Manali has spectacular views of snowcapped peaks and wooded slopes. The Beas rushes along its rocky course amid grassy meadows carpeted with wild flowers and wagtails hop along from stone to stone along the stream's edge. There are marvellous walks too, through dappled orchards and fairy-tale forests of deodar.

The Manali market is crowded with myriads of interesting shops selling Tibetan carpets and crafts and the appetizing aroma of steaming noodles hangs about the little restaurants. Manali, with its Mountaineering Institute, is a popular base for trekking and mountaineering in summer and skiing in winter. Interesting routes into the surrounding valleys, over the high passes, are provided with tourist huts and rest houses for trekking enthusiasts.

Main Tourist spots


    Kothi - This is a quiet but picturesque spot, at the foot of the Rohtang pass, 12 km away Manali town, situated on the Lahaul-Spiti Leh Highway. It offers a magnificent view of the snow-capped peaks and glaciers and an awe inspiring gorge where the Beas enters a chasm about sixty metres deep and just a few metres broad.
    Van Vihar: This is just off the Mall with pathways between towering deodhars and also leads to a boating pond.
    Tibetan Market and Mall: The Tibetan Market is an interesting cluster of shops. Nice to browse around for knick knacks, handicrafts and imported goods. Located on the Mall. The Mall also has other shops selling local handicrafts and clothes. It also has some good restaurants. Buses, taxis and autos are easily available from the Mall for local sightseeing or excursions.
    Rahalla Falls - 16 km from Manali town at the start of the climb to the Rohtang Pass, at an altitude of 2501m.
    Rohtang Pass - Situated at an altitude of 3979 mtrs above sea level and 51 kms outside Manali is the mighty Rohtang Pass - the gateway to Lahaul-Spiti  valley. Open for just about four months a year, it affords a wide panoramic view of the mountains. Here one sees the majesty of the mountains at its height and splendour. At the top of the pass the air seems to glitter against the snow as you look down over herringboned ridges into the Lahaul valley. There is the beautiful Dashohar Lake left of the pass. A few km away from the pass is the Sonapani glacier and slightly to the left are the twin peaks of the Gaypan-jagged pyramid of rock, snow streaked and snow crowned.
    Solang Valley - 13 kms outside Manali is the Solang Valley, offering spectacular views of the snow-clad mountains and the glaciers all around. Solang is the venue for paragliding and the annual skiing courses.
    Marrhi - 35 km from Manali, is famous for its natural beauty.
    Rani Nala - 46 km from Manali, it is the glacier point where snow is available throughout the year.
    Jagatsukh Temple - About 6 km from Manali is the famous Shiva Temple in "shikara" style and nearby is the old and interesting Devi Sharvali Temple.
    Naggar Castle - 22 kms from Manali, this is the old capital of Kullu. The castle was built by Raja Bhosal.
    Roerich Art Gallery - In Naggar, the museum, houses a collection of the paintings by the Russian artist. It is located in a grove of deodhars and has lovely views all around. Naggar is very serene and picturesque.
    Hadimba Temple - Also known as the Doongri Temple, this four-tiered pagoda-like wooden temple stands in a clearing amid tall and stately deodar trees and has beautiful carvings on its ornamental door. Dedicated to Hadimba, the wife of Bhim, this temple is the venue for an annual fair held during May.
    Vashist Spring - Across the Beas river, about 3 km away from Manali, at an altitude of 1,982 meters (6,200 feet), are the natural sulphur springs. The village itself is perched on a steep hillside across the river Beas.
    Tibetan Monastery - This is new and colorful. A pleasant place to visit.
    Beas Kund - The famous Beas Kund, the source of the Beas river, at the Rohtang Pass is easily accessible. The great rishi, Vyas performed "Tapa" here during the Mahabharat times.
    Manikaran: 85 km from Manali and 45 km from Kullu, lies in the Parvati Valley, the holy pilgrimage place of Manikaran. Here icy cold waters of the Parvati river co-exists with boiling water side-by-side. The hot water springs are reputed for their healing properties.