Top Tourist Attractions in Lahaul Spiti
About Lahaul Spiti
In the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh, the Lahaul and Spiti district is made up of the two historically distinct districts of Lahaul and Spiti. Kyelang in Lahaul is the current administrative centre. Kardang was the capital of Lahaul and Dhankar was the capital of Spiti until the two districts were united. The area is known for its numerous high-altitude hiking paths as well as a rich Tibetan culture. Lahaul and Spiti is a popular tourist destination because of its numerous monasteries, flora and wildlife, and several high mountain passes and rivers.
Best Places to Visit in Lahaul Spiti
- Trilokinath Temple, Lahaul Spiti
- Shashur Gompa, Lahaul Spiti
- Key Monastery, Lahaul Spiti
Trilokinath Temple, Lahaul Spiti
This temple was built in the tenth century. A stone inscription discovered at a temple complex in 2002 attests to this. According to the stone inscription, this temple was built by Dvanjra Rana, who is revered as the ancestor of the current Rana Thakurs rulers of Triloknath village. They were said to have received assistance from King Shell Varman of Chamba, who had this temple built in the ‘Shikher style,’ similar to the ‘Laxmi Narayan’ temple complex of Chamba. Chamba was founded by King Shell Varman.
This temple was built between the end of the 9th century and the beginning of the 10th century. Rajgrana of Chamba Mahayogi Sidh Charpati Dar Charpath Nath also played an important role. He was devoted to Bodhisattva Arya Avalokiteshwar and authored 25 shlokas in his honour, which are known as ” Avalokiteshwar strotan Chedem “.
Shashur Gompa, Lahaul Spiti
Shashur Gompa is a minor Drugpa sect Buddhist shrine erected in the 16th century. It is 2 kilometres from the mountainous town of Keylong. It is positioned at 6000 metres above the valley, surrounded by stunning blue pine trees. The Gompa is well-known for its excellent architecture as well as its instructional centre.
Key Monastery, Lahaul Spiti
The Kye monastery, which overlooks Kaza from a height of roughly 13,500 feet, is the largest in the valley and has considerable control over the most populous area of the valley around Kaza. On a solid conical hill, the gompa is an uneven mass of low apartments and short passages. From a distance, it resembles the Thiksey monastery in Ladakh’s Thiksey district. Dark tunnels, winding staircases, and little doorways connect the irregular prayer spaces.
The monastery is where hundreds of lamas acquire their religious education. It is also recognised for its stunning paintings, thankas, rare manuscripts, stucco figures, and unusual wind instruments that serve as part of the symphony when Chham is performed in the gompa throughout the summer. Another intriguing component of the gompa is its collection of weaponry, which could have been used to fend off marauders as well as to retain control over those betraying a church-militant nature.
Thousands of devotees from all over the world attended His Holiness Dalai Lama’s Kalachakra event in August of 2000. Kalachakra initiation (Skt. Abhisheka, Tibetan Wang) is more than merely a religious ceremony. It is a large-scale workshop in which both the teacher and the disciples make a concerted effort to awaken their Buddha nature through the combined forces of teaching, prayer, blessing, dedication, mantra, yoga, and meditation. Every participant is making an attempt to find true and lasting peace for the sake of all others. The Buddhists believe that simply being there during this lengthy initiation process, which lasts many days, liberates the individual from suffering and bestows the bliss of Enlightenment on him.
The ceremony is divided into five sections: cosmology, psycho-physiology, initiation, sadhana, and Buddhahood. A Kalachakra mandala and Viswatma deity in union with his consort are at the centre of this ceremony, helping the pupil through the arduous initiation procedure. The gompa is accessible by road from Kaza (only 12 km). However, the distance from Kaza is only 8.5 kilometres.
Best Time to Visit Lahaul Spiti
The best time to explore this remote yet gorgeous Himachal Pradesh region is between the summer months of May to October. It is, in fact, the only time of year when the roadways are free of ice. During the winter, Lahaul and Spiti are hidden beneath a heavy blanket of snow.
How to Reach Lahaul & Spiti
By road, you may reach Lahaul & Spiti district from two separate points: Sumdo (Kinnaur District) for admission into the Spiti valley, and Manali (Kullu District) for access into the Lahaul valley. Bhutar Airport (Kullu) is the closest airport, and Jogindernagar, Shimla, and Chandigarh are the closest train stations.
Blue Line (Route from Shimla to Kaza [Spiti Block]
- 412 Kms (About 20 Hours journey excluding one night halt).This road is almost all weather road upto Kaza.
Red Line (Route from Shimla to Keylong [Lahaul Block])
- 330 Kms (About 14 Hours journey). This route is through newly inaugurated Atal tunnel rohtang and will remains operational throughout the year.
- 375 Kms ( About 18 hours journey). This route get cutoff because of heavy snow fall from October to April(approx).
Green Line (Route from Keylong to Kaza i.e. Lahaul block to Spiti block) 185 Kms (About 6 Hours journey).
- This road closes during winters for more than 9 months due to closure of Kunzam Pass & heavy snowfall w.e.f. Oct/Nov-June/July.
- Kaza (via) Rohtang Pass – Batal – Kunzam Pass (200 km)