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Kinnaur,
Himachal Pradesh |
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General Information about Kinnaur
Area 6401 sq. kms
Population 78,334
Languages Kinnauri, Hindi, English, Tibetan
Altitude 2670m (Kalpa)
Clothing Light woolens in summer, Heavy woolens
in winter
Best Season May to October (July to October for a
circuit from Shimla to Manali & Jeep Safaris as well as
trekking and climbing or vice versa)
Information about Kinnaur |
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Located in the dizzying heights of the
Himalayas, with passes that remain closed for six months
linking them with the rest of the world, Kinnaur, Spiti and Lahaul were till now a forbidden land. Only a chosen few were
granted permission to visit this secret world, officials,
Moravian missionaries who settled here in 1853 and a few
mountaineers. Now this area has been opened for the daring and
adventurous to discover what had been hidden from the world
for centuries. From the riotous green of the Sangla Valley
filled with orchards of apricots, peaches, chilgozas and
apples to the magnificent desolation of the Hangrang Valley,
Mother Nature's portrait is an ever changing one in Kinnaur.
This land lying on the ancient trade route between India and
Tibet, ringed by the majestic mountain of the Himalayan and
Dhauladhar range is the land of plenty. The gushing rivers of
Kinnaur abound in Trout-the angler's prize catch, their waters
have over the centuries chiseled beautiful gorges across this
picturesque land and nurtured one of the most unique societies
on there banks. In the lush land live the descendants of the
Kinners-the demi gods of the Hindu pantheon, whose deeds have
been immortalized in epics and the poems of ancient Sanskrit
poets.
Tourist Attractions in Kinnaur
The various tourist attractions in Kinnaur are Recong Peo,
Kalpa, Sangla Valley, Chitkul, Nichar, Kothi, Puh, Rakchham,
Ribba, Leo, Lippa, Morang, Chango, Nako, Sumdo. |
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Recong Peo
Located 231 km from Shimla, Recong Peo is the district
Headquarter having a panoramic view of Kinner Kailash.
It has many hotels and rest houses.
Kalpa
Kalpa is situated beyond Recong Peo, about 14 kms. from
Powari on the link road. Kalpa is the main village of
the District. Across the river, facing Kalpa is the
majesty of the Kinner Kailash range. This is a
spectacular sight early in the morning as the rising sun
touches the snowy peaks with crimson and gold light. |
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Sangla Valley
Sangla valley starts 57 kms. short of Kalpa which has been
named after a beautiful and populous village Sangla. Sangla is
situated on the right bank of Baspa river, about 17 kms. from
Karcham. Journey from Karcham onwards is enjoyable and
adventurous throughout the valley. The natural scenery all
around and the eternal snow view are picturesque and charming.
It is also known as Baspa Valley since Baspa river flows
through this area. This is the most charming valley in the
entire District of Kinnaur. A temple dedicated to Nages god is
worth a visit and other places are Sapni, Rackchham, Kilba,
Kamru Fort which can also be visited. There are post offices,
banks, rest houses for the convenience of the visitors.
Nichar
The Nichar village is situated between Taranda and Wangtu on
the left bank of Satluj. The scenery is enchanting. Ghoral,
antelopes, black and red bears are seen sometimes in higher
ranges.
Kothi
Kothi is also called Koshtampi. It is little below Kalpa, and
is overshadowed by the Kinner Kailash peak. The village with
its attractive temple, gracious willows green fields, fruit
trees makes an altogether lovely landscape. Goddess Shuwang
Chandika temple is in the village.
Puh
Puh, locally pronounced as Spuwa, is the tehsil headquarters,
about 71 kms. from Recong Peo. It is situated above the
national highway-22 having all modern amenities as well as
green fields, vineyards, apricot, almond and grape orchards
enhance its beauty. The local god is called Dabla, who neither
has any dwelling nor possesses an ark. The only manifestation
of the deity is a pole with a small idol set on its upper
portion and adorned with Yak tail hair and long pieces of
colored cloth. The whole being called Fobrang, it is occasion
brought to the Santhang. |
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Chitkul
Chitkul is the last and highest village in the Baspa
valley. It is situated on the right bank of Baspa river.
There is a road along the left bank from Karcham. There
are 3 temples of local goddess Mathi, the main ones are
said to have been constructed about 500 years ago.
Rakchham
Rakchham is situated on the right bank of river Baspa.
Its name has been derived from "Rak" a stone and "Chham"
a bridge. The location of the village is striking. |
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Ribba
Ribba or Rirang is another large populous village, about 14
kms. from Morang, the tehsil headquarters and situated between
the villages of Purbani and Rispa. In the local dialect Ri
stands for Chilgoza and Rang means a peak of a mountain.
Another village Rispa is known for grapes.
Leo
About 105 kms. from Recong Peo perched on a small rock, on the
right bank of the Spiti river, is Leo, the headquarters of
sub-tehsil Hangrang in Puh subdivision. The temple of Jamato
is worth visiting.
Lippa
Lippa is situated near the left bank of Taiti stream. The
village can be approached from Kalpa by the old Hindustan
Tibet road to Jangi-Lippa-14 kms. Ibex are said to be found
near the forest. The three Budhist monasteries here are
dedicated to Galdang, Chhoiker Dunguir and Kangyar. |
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Nako
Nako is situated about 2 kms. above the Hangrang valley
road and is 103 kms. from Kalpa on the western direction
of the huge mountain of Pargial. This is the highest
village in the valley and the existence of lake formed
out of the masses of the ice and snow above adds beauty
to the village. Local village deity is Deodum and
another Lagang temple with several idols exist here.
Sumdo
On the border of Spiti at a distance of 104 kms. and 124
kms. respectively from Kalpa, are Sumdo and Kaurik, the
entry points to |
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Spiti valley.
There is a Police Check Post to assist and help the visitors.
Morang
Morang is situated about 39 kms. away from Kalpa on the left
bank of river Satluj. The location is very beautiful and
approach to this picturesque village is through apricot
orchards. The local deity is Urmig 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.
Chango
At a distance of 122 kms. from Kalpa, is a collection of 4
hamlets in Pargna Shuwa, sub-tehsil, Hangrang on the left bank
of river Spiti. It is encircled on every side by high hills
which is a witness to the presence of a former lake. Buddhism
is generally practiced here but there are some local Hindu
deities too namely Gyalbo, Dabla and Yalsa.
Kinner Kailash Circuit
(Parikrama)
One can undertake the Kinner Kailash holy Parikrama from
Morang and return to Kalpa or Karcham in 7- 8 days. |
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