Lahaul and Spiti district is a high-altitude district in Himachal Pradesh, north India. This entirely mountainous district consists of two geographically distinct as well as formerly separate political-administrative units, called Lahaul and Spiti. Lahaul and Spiti is the largest district by area in Himachal Pradesh, and one of the least populous districts in the whole of India. Kyelang (also spelled as 'Keylong') in Lahaul is the headquarters of the whole district, while Spiti also has a subdivisional headquarters, at Kaza.
Lahaul and Spiti is fast becoming a top weekend getaway destination in Himachal, due to improved road access via Atal Tunnel and rising investment in resorts and adventure activities.
Geologically located in the Himalayas and the Tibetan Plateau, Lahaul and Spiti district is connected to Manali through the Rohtang Pass. Lahaul has three valleys, the Chandra valley (locally known as Rangloi valley), the Bhaga valley (locally known as Ghar valley), and the Chandra-Bhaga valley (locally known as Pattan valley, and further on as Chenab valley). The confluence of the Chandra and the Bhaga rivers is at Tandi. The average elevation of Spiti is significantly greater than that of Lahaul. Lahaul receives much more rainfall than Spiti.
Kunzum la or the Kunzum Pass (altitude 4,551 m (14,931 ft)) is the entrance pass to the Spiti Valley in the east from Lahaul Valley in the west. It is 21 km (13 miles) from Chandra Tal.To the south, Spiti ends 24 km (15 miles) from Tabo, at the Sumdo where the road enters Kinnaur and joins National Highway . Spiti is barren and difficult to cross, with an average elevation of the valley floor of 4,270 m (14,010 ft). It is surrounded by lofty ranges, with the Spiti River rushing out of a gorge in the southeast to meet the Sutlej River. It is a typical mountain desert area with an average annual rainfall of only 170 mm (6.7 in).
Lahaul–Spiti is a breathtaking Himalayan dreamscape where time slows and nature speaks in silence. Tucked high in the Indian Himalayas, this remote cold desert feels untouched by the modern world—raw, spiritual, and profoundly beautiful. Snow-capped peaks rise dramatically above vast valleys painted in shades of gold, rust, and silver, while the Spiti River carves its way through an ancient land shaped by wind and time.
Centuries-old Buddhist monasteries cling to cliffs like guardians of wisdom, their prayer flags dancing against endless blue skies. Villages of whitewashed homes glow softly against the rugged terrain, offering warm smiles and rare hospitality to travelers seeking authenticity. Here, nights reveal some of the clearest skies on Earth, where the Milky Way stretches brilliantly across the heavens.
Lahaul–Spiti is not just a destination—it is an experience of solitude, adventure, and inner peace. From high-altitude lakes reflecting snow mountains like mirrors, to thrilling mountain passes and quiet meditation halls, every moment feels sacred. For explorers, photographers, and seekers of the extraordinary, Lahaul–Spiti is a hidden world that leaves the soul forever changed.
Kaza, also spelled Kaze, Karze, Karzey, is a town and the subdivisional headquarters of the remote Spiti Valley in the western Himalayas in the Lahaul and Spiti district of the northern Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. Spiti is a high altitude or cold desert having close similarities to the neighbouring Tibet and Ladakh regions in terms of terrain, climate and the Buddhist culture. Kaza, situated along the Spiti River at an elevation of 3,650 m (11,980 ft) above mean sea level, is the largest township and commercial center of the Spiti valley.
The town is divided into the old, as Kaza Khas, and new as Kaza Soma sections. The new town contains the administrative buildings. Approaching Kaza from the south, one sees Kyu-ling (Skyid-gling), the stately palace of the Nono (king), on the other side of the river.
The Tangyud (Tang-rGyud) Gompa of village Komik dates to the early 14th century and is built like a fortified castle, with massive slanted mud walls and battlements, with vertical red ochre and white vertical stripes. It is on the edge of a deep canyon and overlooks the town of Kaza, 4 km from the town.[2][3] Kaza hosts a branch of the Tangyud Gompa.
Kye Gompa (also spelled Kyi, Ki, Key, or Kee; pronounced like the English word key) is a Tibetan Buddhist monastery of the Gelugpa sect located on top of a hill at an altitude of 4,166 metres (13,668 ft) above sea level, close to the Spiti River, in the Spiti Valley of Himachal Pradesh, Lahaul and Spiti district, India.
It is the largest monastery of the Spiti Valley and a religious training centre for lamas. It reportedly had 100 monks in 1855.
The monastery is dedicated to Lochen Tulku, the 24th reincarnation of the great translator Lotsawa Rinchen Zangpo.
It is about 12 km (7.5 mi) north of Kaza and 210 km (130 mi) from Manali by road.
Kye Gompa is said to have been founded by Dromtön (Brom-ston, 1008–1064 CE), a pupil of the famous teacher, Atisha, in the 11th century. This may, however, refer to a now destroyed Kadampa monastery at the nearby village of Rangrik, which was probably destroyed in the 14th century when the Sakya sect rose to power with Mongol assistance.
In the mid-17th century, during the reign of the Fifth Dalai Lama, Kye was extensively plundered and damaged by the Mongols, and became a Gelugpa establishment.[9] Around 1821, it was sacked again during the wars between Ladakh and Kulu. In 1841, during the Dogra–Tibetan war, it was severely damaged by the Dogra army under Ghulam Khan and Rahim Khan. Later that same year, it was also attacked by Sikhs.[10] In the 1840s, it was ravaged by fire and, in 1975, a violent earthquake caused further damage which was repaired with the help of the Archaeological Survey of India and the State Public Works Department.
The walls of the monastery are covered with paintings and murals, an example of 14th-century monastic architecture, which developed as the result of Chinese influence.
Kye monastery has a collection of ancient murals and books, including Buddha images.
There are three floors, the first one is mainly underground and used for storage. One room, called the Tangyur is richly painted with murals. The ground floor has the beautifully decorated Assembly Hall and cells for many monks.
Kye Gompa now belongs to the Gelugpa sect, along with Tabo Monastery and Dhankar Gompa, one of three in Spiti.
The monastery of Kee, for instance, accommodates nearly 250 monks, who reside within the sacred walls throughout the year. Some monks go to South Indian Monasteries during winters, the rest of them stay inside the monastery walls. These monasteries have their regular heads; these heads are the reincarnations of Guru Rinpoche. The current head of Kee Monastery is from Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh. He is 19th birth of Guru Rinpoche.
Chandra Taal ('moon lake') is a lake in the upper Chandra valley of the Lahul and Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh, India.[1] Chandra Taal is near the source of the Chandra River. Despite the rugged and inhospitable surroundings, it is in a protected niche with some flowers and wildlife in summer. It is a favourite spot for tourists and high-altitude trekkers. It is usually associated with Spiti, although geographically it lies in the watershed of the Chandra River of Lahaul. Kunzum La separates Lahaul and Spiti valleys. It's surrounded by the Chandratal Wildlife Sanctuary.
Chandra Taal Lake is on the Samudra Tapu plateau, which overlooks the Chandra River (a source river of the Chenab). The name of the lake originates from its crescent shape. It is at an altitude of about 4,300 metres (14,100 ft) in the Himalayas.[1] Mountains of scree overlook the lake on one side, and a cirque encloses it on the other.
Chandra Taal is a tourist destination for trekkers and campers. The lake is accessible by road from Batal and by road as well as on foot from Kunzum Pass from late May to early October. The road to Chandra Taal branches off from NH-505 about 2.9 kilometres (1.8 mi) from Batal and 8 km (5.0 mi) from Kunzum Pass.[4] This 12 km (7.5 mi) motor road runs as far as a parking lot 1 kilometre (0.62 mi) from the lake. One has to travel on foot for the final 1 km (0.62 mi). It takes approximately two hours from Kunzum Pass to Chandra Taal. Chandra Taal is also accessible from Suraj Tal, 30 km (19 mi) away.
Dhankar Gompa (also Dankhar, Drangkhar or Dhangkar Gompa; Brang-mkhar or Grang-mkhar) is a village and also a Gompa, a Buddhist temple in the district of Lahaul and Spiti in India. It is situated at an elevation of 3,894 metres (12,774 feet) in the Spiti Valley above Dhankar Village, between the towns of Kaza and Tabo. The complex is built on a 1000-foot (300-metre) high spur overlooking the confluence of the Spiti and Pin Rivers - one of the world's most spectacular settings for a gompa. Dhang or dang means cliff, and kar or khar means fort. Hence Dhangkar means fort on a cliff.
Dhankar, like Key Monastery and Tangyud Monastery in Spiti, and Thiksey, Likir and Rangdum monasteries in Ladakh, was built as a fort monastery on the Central Tibetan pattern. It was reported to have had 90 monks in 1855.
Dhankar was the traditional capital of the Spiti Valley Kingdom during the 17th century and has some features dating back to the 12th century. It was the seat of the early rulers of Spiti, the Nonos, who had the right to cultivate the government lands nearby and were required to keep the fort in repair. They also dispensed justice to the people and were noted for their harsh penalties until the British replaced them.
Tabo Monastery (or Tabo Chos-Khor Monastery) is located in the Tabo village of Spiti Valley, Himachal Pradesh, northern India. It was founded in 996 CE in the Tibetan year of the Fire Ape by the Tibetan Buddhist lotsawa (translator) Rinchen Zangpo (Mahauru Ramabhadra), on behalf of the king of western Himalayan Kingdom of Guge, Yeshe-Ö. Tabo is noted for being the oldest continuously operating Buddhist enclave in both India and the Himalayas.
A large number of frescoes displayed on its walls depict tales from the Buddhist pantheon. There are many priceless collections of thankas (scroll paintings), manuscripts, well-preserved statues, frescos and extensive murals which cover almost every wall. The monastery is in need of refurbishing as the wooden structures are aging and the thanka scroll paintings are fading. After the earthquake of 1975, the monastery was rebuilt, and in 1983 a new Du-kang or Assembly Hall was constructed. It is here that the 14th Dalai Lama held the Kalachakra ceremonies in 1983 and 1996.The monastery is protected by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) as a national historic treasure of India.
The monastery is situated in the Spiti valley (an isolated valley with a total population of 10,000) above Tabo village on the left bank of the Spiti River. The valley as such is delimited by Ladakh in the north, Lahaul and Kullu districts in the west and south-east respectively, and by Tibet and the Kinnaur district in the east. While Tabo village is in a bowl-shaped flat valley, the monastery is also in the bottom of the valley, unlike other monasteries in the valley, which are perched on hills; in the past the region was part of Tibet. It is located in a very arid, cold and rocky area at an altitude of 3,050 metres (10,010 ft). Above the monastery there are a number of caves carved into the cliff face and used by monks for meditation. There is also an assembly hall in the caves and some faded paintings on the rock face.
Kufri is a resort hill station in the district of Shimla, India. It is located 12 km (7.5 mi) from the state capital Shimla on the National Highway 5 (also known as Hindustan-Tibet road). On the Kufri Avenue, the main thoroughfare, boutiques and restaurants mix with Indian-style hotels and souvenir shops are to look for during a visit.
The name Kufri is derived from the word kufr meaning "lake" in the local language. The highest point in the surrounding region, Kufri has a Himalayan wildlife zoo which hosts rare antelopes, felines and birds including the Himalayan monal, the state bird of Himachal Pradesh until 2007. During winter a meandering path through the potato plantations turns into a popular ski track.
Kufri is located at 31.10°N 77.25°E. It has an average elevation of 2,720 metres (8923 feet).
The region around Shimla including Kufri was once a part of the Kingdom of Nepal until the area was ceded to the British Raj as part of the Sugauli Treaty. This region remained obscure from the rest of the world until the British 'discovered' it in 1819.
The British-era Bantony Estate in Shimla, a grand private castle once was the summer Palace of the erstwhile Maharaja of Sirmaur, a grandeur architectural landmark. The castle is located near Scandal point on Kali Bari Road.The Bantony Esttate is a heritage site built during the British era and is situated on the Bantony Hill of Shimla. The beautiful wooden architecture of the building amidst the sprawling lawns is a site worth exploring.
Bantony Castle is one of the historic and monumental buildings of Shimla town and has a very rich history. It was built over 145 years ago. Before the castle was built, the estate had only a cottage that belonged to Captain A. Gordan and later in 1880, the castle was built up and became the summer residence of Maharaja Sirmour. During the first World War it was handed over by Maharaja Sirmaur to the Govt. of India for housing additional temporary offices for army.
After independence, ‘The Tribune’ office was shifted here from Lahore. Later on it remained the office of the Director General of Police. The main building is a two-storeystructure constructed in the mockTudor style, part chalet and crowned with a sloping roof with mini-towers. The castle is said to have been designed by TEG Cooper. In the year 2017, the Himachal Pradesh Government acquired the Bantony Castle Estate from the owner and restored the heritage building to establish a digital Museum and Light & Sound Show to portray the history, Art and Culture of the State.
The Kalka–Shimla Railway is a 2 ft 6 in (762 mm) narrow-gauge railway in North India which traverses a mostly mountainous route from Kalka to Shimla. It is known for dramatic views of the hills and surrounding villages. The railway was built under the direction of Herbert Septimus Harington between 1898 and 1903 to connect Shimla, the summer capital of India during the British Raj, with the rest of the Indian rail system.
Its early locomotives were manufactured by Sharp, Stewart and Company. Larger locomotives were introduced, which were manufactured by the Hunslet Engine Company. Diesel and diesel-hydraulic locomotives began operation in 1955 and 1970, respectively.
On 8 July 2008, UNESCO added the Kalka–Shimla Railway to the mountain railways of India World Heritage Site.
Shimla (then spelt Simla), which was settled by the British shortly after the first Anglo-Gurkha war, is located at 7,116 feet (2,169 m) in the foothills of the Himalayas. The idea of connecting Shimla by rail was first raised by a correspondent to the Delhi gazette in November 1847.
Shimla became the summer capital of British India in 1864, and was the headquarters of the Indian army. This meant that twice a year it was necessary to transfer the entire government between Calcutta and Shimla by horse and ox drawn carts.
In 1891 the 5 ft 6 in (1,676 mm) broad gauge Delhi–Kalka line opened, which made the construction of a branch line up to Shimla feasible.
The earliest survey was made in 1884, followed by another survey in 1885. Based on these two surveys, a project report was submitted in 1887 to the government of British India. Fresh surveys were made in 1892 and 1893, which led to four alternative schemes being suggested - two adhesion lines, 67.25 mi (108.23 km) and 69.75 mi (112.25 km) long, and two rack lines.Fresh surveys were again made in 1895 from Kalka to Solan to determine whether a 1 in 12 rack or a 1 in 25 adhesion line should be chosen. After much debate, an adhesion line was chosen in preference to a rack system.
Construction of the Kalka–Shimla Railway on 2 ft (610 mm) narrow-gauge tracks was begun by the privately funded Delhi-Ambala-Kalka Railway Company following the signing of a contract between the secretary of state and the company on 29 June 1898.The contract specified that the line would be built without any financial aid or guarantee from the government. The government however provided the land free of charge to the company. The estimated cost of 8,678,500 rupees doubled by the time the line was opened. The Chief Engineer of the project was Herbert Septimus Harington and the Chief Contractor was Sujan Singh Hadaliwale.
The 95.68 km (59.45 mi) line opened for traffic on 9 November 1903 and was dedicated by Viceroy Lord Curzon. This line was further extended from Shimla to Shimla Goods (which had once housed the bullock cart office) on 27 June 1909 making it 96.60 km (60.02 mi).
The Indian Army were sceptical about the two feet gauge chosen for the line and requested that a wider standard gauge be used for mountain and light strategic railways. Eventually the government agreed that the gauge was too narrow for was essentially a capital city and for military purposes. As a result, the contract with the railway company was revised on 15 November 1901 and the line gauge changed to 2 ft 6 in (762 mm) with the track built to date being regauged. Some sources however state the regauging wasn't undertaken until 1905.
In 1905 the company took delivery of a 10-ton Cowans Sheldon travelling crane to assist with lifting rolling stock back onto the tracks after accidents and for general track maintenance. Due to the high capital and maintenance costs and difficult working conditions, the railway was allowed to charge higher fares than on other lines. Nevertheless, the company had spent 16,525,000 rupees by 1904 with no sign of the line becoming profitable, which lead to it being purchased by the government on 1 January 1906 for 17,107,748 rupees. Once it came under the control of the government the line was originally managed as an independent unit from the North West Railway office in Lahore until 1926, when it was transferred to Delhi Division. Since July 1987, the line has been managed by the Ambala Division from Ambala Cantt.
In 2007, the Himachal Pradesh government declared the railway a heritage property. For about a week, beginning on 11 September 2007, a UNESCO team visited the railway to inspect it for possible selection as a World Heritage Site. On 8 July 2008, it became part of the mountain railways of India World Heritage Site with the Darjeeling Himalayan and Nilgiri Mountain Railways.
Nichar is a village located in the Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh state, India, at an altitude of 2100 meters. It is located on the old Hindustan-Tibet road. Most of the people follows Hinduism as well as Buddhism. It is known for natural water body called "chhalang bayu". The Usha Mata temple is in Nichar. The people of Nichar celebrate a fair called 'HU HU mela' (BAATI mela in local language). Nichar is one of the three administrative areas of Kinnaur distt. The region has a variety of flora and fauna and is home to wildlife species such as red bears, antelopes, and Ghoral. Nichar has wide range of alpine forest. That's why it is called as green valley. It is most green village in distt Kinnaur. The temperature of Nichar remains moderate throughout the year and hence, tourist can visit here in any season. With its natural environment and wildlife, it has become one of the most sought-after places to visit in Kinnaur.
Moorang(3591m): Situated above the left bank of Satluj at some distance from the confluence of the Tirang and 39 kms away from the Kalpa. The location is very beautiful and approach to this picturesque village is through apricot orchard. The dell is encircled by the lofty mountains on every side, except westward open to the Satluj, on the bank of which there is an old fort believed to be built by Pandavas. The fort has a square structure situated on a knoll overlooking the Satluj. Its main gate is approachable by a detached ladder. It has a flat roof. The local deity is Urming and there are three structures dedicated to the deity each existing in Thwaring, Garmang and Shilling. Generally these are empty as the ark of the deity remains in the fort. On a sacred day the ark is taken to the above named places. The ark has got 18 'mukh', made of silver, gold and brass. The 18 mukh represents the 18 days of the great epic Mahabharat.
A must see tourist spot for the solitude lovers and avid worshipper of nature, Lipa Asrang Sanctuary is around at a height of 4,000 to 5,022 m. The sanctuary is spread over an area of around 30.89 sq km. The variety of flora found in this sanctuary includes dry coniferous forest, dry alpine scrub, dwarf juniper scrub, dry broad leaves, western Himalayan temperate forest, and coniferous forest.
The most commonly found fauna in this sanctuary are Yak, Leopard, Ibex, Goral, Brown Bear, Blue Sheep, Himalayan black Beer, Musk Deer etc. Random tourists are not allowed to enter this sanctuary. So they need to take prior permission to explore the sanctuary
The Shri Bagalamukhi Mata Temple (also known as Maa Baglamukhi Temple) is a prominent Hindu shrine located in Bankhandi (near Dehra), Kangra district, Himachal Pradesh, India. It is dedicated to Goddess Bagalamukhi, one of the ten Mahavidyas (great wisdom goddesses) in Tantric Shaktism. The goddess is revered as Pitambara (clothed in yellow) and is associated with paralyzing enemies, granting victory in disputes, protection from evil, and fulfillment of wishes—especially in legal matters, competitions, and overcoming obstacles.
Exterior view of the temple nestled in the scenic Kangra valley.
The temple is considered a Siddha Peeth (accomplished spiritual site) and one of the three most significant Bagalamukhi shrines in India (along with those in Datia, Madhya Pradesh, and Nalkheda, Madhya Pradesh). It attracts devotees, including celebrities from politics, sports, and entertainment.
According to legends, The goddess emerged from a turmeric lake to calm a cosmic storm at Lord Vishnu’s request. The Pandavas are said to have built the temple overnight during their exile in the Dwapar Yuga. Lord Rama worshipped here (guided by Hanuman) to obtain the Brahmastra for victory over Ravana. The site is ancient, with references to its power in Tantric texts.
Yellow is the goddess’s favored color: The temple is painted yellow, devotees wear yellow clothes, offer yellow sweets (like besan laddoo), and adornments are golden/yellow.
Known for powerful havans (fire rituals) and yajnas believed to yield quick results—especially nighttime havans.
Devotees seek blessings for stambhana (paralyzing foes), victory in court cases, and protection.
Interior views showing the idol of Goddess Bagalamukhi, adorned in yellow.
The sanctum features the goddess in the center (sometimes flanked by Lakshmi and Saraswati), with nearby shrines for Lord Shiva, Bhairava, and Hanuman.
Festivals: Crowded during Navratri, Guru Purnima, and Vasant Panchami.
Whispers of love, strokes of tradition, and threads of devotion come together in the delicate artistry of the Chamba Rumal—a ceremonial cloth that tells tales of royalty, mythology, and resilience.
Legend whispered that the town’s very foundation was inspired by the loving gesture of a father towards his daughter. Raja Sahil Verman, the founder of Chamba, christened the town in honour of his beloved daughter, Champavati. It was her gentle touch, it is said, that pointed to the spot where the town would rise. Little did they know that this town would one day become the cradle of an enchanting art form — the Chamba Rumal
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