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About
Koksar |
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Koksar is one of the villages in Lahaul Mandal in Lahaul and
Spiti District in Himachal Pradesh state in Northern India. It
is about 19 km from Rohtang Pass, Koksar is the coldest place
in Lahaul. It is mostly snowed in during winters but during
the summer months, the PWD Rest House and Eating places are in
business. Isolated mountain areas, panoramic picturesque views
and pathways for hiking can be seen in Koksar. It is 340 km
from its state capital Shimla and 70 km from Manali. Nearby
villages are Tailing (7 km) and Sissu(13 km). |
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People of Koksar |
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The language, culture, and populations of Koksar are closely
related. Generally the Lahaulis are of Tibetan and Indo-Aryan
descent. Fairer skin and hazel-colored eyes are commonly seen
among the Lahaulis.
The languages belong to the Tibetan family. They are very
similar to the Ladakhi and Tibetans culturally, as they had been
placed under the rule of the Guge and Ladakh kingdoms at
occasional intervals.
The family acts as the basic unit of kinship. The extended
family system is common, evolved from the polyandric system of
the past. The family is headed by a senior male member, known as
the Yunda, while his wife, known as the Yundamo, attains
authority by being the oldest member in the generation. The clan
system, also known as Rhus, plays another major role in the
Koksar society. |
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Lifestyle and Religion |
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Lifestyle
The lifestyles of the Koksar due to their proximity. Agriculture
is the main source of livelihood. Potato and Peas farming is
common. Occupations include working in government services,
government programs, private services outside of the village and
other businesses and crafts. Earlier houses were made of mud and
stones but these days houses are constructed in Modern style
with Bricks and Cements.
Religion
Most of the residents of Koksar follow a combination of Hinduism
and Tibetan Buddhism of the Drukpa Kagyu order. |
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Flora and fauna |
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The harsh conditions of Lahaul permit only scattered
clumps of hardy grasses and shrubs to grow, even below
4,000 metres. Glacier lines are generally found at 5,000
metres.
Animals such as Yaks and dzos wander across the wild
Lingti plains. However, over-hunting and a decrease in
food supplies has led to a large decrease in the
population of the Argali, Tibetan Antelope, Musk deer,
Kiangs, and Snow leopards in these regions, reducing them
to the status of endangered species. However, in the
Lahaul valley, one can see foxes, Ibex, brown bears, and
Snow leopards during winter. |
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Activities in Koksar |
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Koksar is the coldest place in the Lahaul district of Himachal
Pradesh and gets completely snowed in during winters. During
summers, the whole area around Koksar comes to life with carpets
of colourful flowers all over the hills, luminous streams and a
huge waterfall nearby. It is possible to spot Ibex, brown bears,
foxes and even an occasional snow leopard around the chiseled
rock mountains of Koksar. Many treks and mountaineering
expeditions can be arranged beginning from Koksar, which also
happens to be a photographer’s haven.
For the traveller: Between the months of June and September a
lot many tourists and bikers halt briefly at Koksar for tea or a
meal break, yet not many stay the night here. The stay options
at Koksar are very basic, in dhabas and in homestays apart from
the HP PWD rest house. Food stalls serving snacks, meals, momos
and thukpa are found all over the little village of Koksar. |
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Tourism |
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Koksar village is situated at Leh–Manali Highway where in summer
season lots of Indian and Foreigner Tourists enjoys fresh
snowfall. Whenever visitors cross the Rohtang Pass, they always
stay for a while at Koksar bazar to have fresh prepared meal in
local Dhaba. Seasonally, at Koksar Bazar for Tourist information
and help, to enter vehicles a police check post is established
and also for registering of Foreigner's passport. |
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