Lahaul and Spiti
Lahaul and Spiti are two remote Himalayan valleys that are situated in the north eastern corner of Himachal Pradesh. They came into being in the year 1960 and are one of the frontier districts of India. Earlier they were two separate Himalayan territories. Lahaul and Spiti is a vast place of high mountains and low valleys. It is bounded by the Tibet to the east, Kullu valley to the south and Ladakh to the north. This district is named after its two subdivisions, which are distinct and separate regions, regardless of their topographical and cultural similarities. This place is an ideal place for trekkers, especially in the months between June and September.
The popular Chandra and Bhaga River plays an important role in creating this twin valley of Himachal Pradesh very beautiful and attractive. This valley offers a wonderful view of the Himalayan ranges from its top. This place marks the presence of several monasteries and temples and is best traveled by the Buddhist and devotees. Lahaul and Spiti offer pilgrimage center and an excellent ground for the trekkers and mountaineer. Tourists can also enjoy this place by visiting the local market, which provides best woolen carpets, shawls and caps.
The people of Lahaul and Spiti have three meals a day. They have Ken or tshema in the morning, shod or chicken in the noon and yangskin or gongal at night. The staple diet of the people of Lahaul and Spiti is buckwheat locally known as kathu. They also eat wheat, rice and barley. Moreover, they eat a lot of lugri or tsagi, chhang (beer) and salted tea mixed with butter. Occasionally they take arak (local distilled liquor). Smoking of tobacco is very common among the aged people at that place, however it is forbidden for the ladies.
History of Lahaul and Spiti:
These places were brought together to form a new district of Himachal Pradesh in 1960. Before, these places were a part of the Kangra district of Punjab.
Climate of Lahaul and Spiti:
The climate of Lahaul and Spiti is very much similar to that of Ladakh and Zanskar. During winters the place notice heavy snowfall and much of the area is cut off from the rest of the country. In the winter, locals have to survive on their summer stocks. Beyond the reach of monsoon, the valley notices little rain in summer, when the sun is strong and the nights cool. Little rainfall in valleys enables the climbers and trekkers to enjoy a long and unbroken season in perpetual sunshine and explore the wilderness and magnificence of the inner Himalayan. The weather in the month of July, August and September makes Lahaul and Spiti an ideal destination for tourists and trekkers.
Tourist attraction in Lahaul and Spiti:
The major tourist attraction of Lahaul and Spiti are Tandi, Gondla, Kaylong, Guru ghantal Monastery, Kardang monastery, shashpur monastery, Darcha, Tayul Gompa, Triloknath Temple, Baralacha la, Udaipur and many more.