Lahaul

Lahaul and Spiti are two remote Himalayan Valleys of H.P. lying on the Indo-Tibet border. Strange, exciting, primitive, these valleys are unsurpassed in mountain scape, in the rugged beauty of their rocky escapements and the splendor of their snow covered peaks. 

  

Lahaul is marked by a central mass of uniformly high mountains and massive glaciers. The two rivers, Chandra and Bhaga which rise on either side of the Baralacha La, flow through the narrow Chandra and Bhaga valleys. Lahaul is a land of fascinating Buddhist art and culture. The monasteries of Lahaul-Spiti are rich repositories of ancient murals, thankas, wood carving and golden images of Padmasambhava. The valley lies at a height of 2745 metres above sea level. Summer in this valley is cool and pleasant with green grass and alpine flowers. There are little monsoon in both these valleys and this enables climbers & trekkers to enjoy a long and unbroken season in perpetual sunshine to explore the wilderness and grandeur of the inner Himalaya. This unique feature makes Lahul-Spiti as an ideal destination for tourists and trekkers in the month of July, August and September. Keylong is 115 kms. from Manali and is the District Headquarters of Lahul-Spiti District. 

 General Information

Area: 13835 sq. km

Population: 33,224

Altitude: 3340 m (Keylong)

Clothing: Light woollen in Summer

                Heavy woollen in Winter.

Temperature: Maximum:26.8 C Min 1.38 C Summer

                        Maximum:6.1 C Min (-)19.38 C Winter

Visiting season: June to October

Languages: Lahauli, English, Hindi, Bhoti are understood and spoken by the people engaged in tourism trade.

Religion: Hinduism & Budhism

 

Approach

Lahaul is connected with road from all parts of the country. Manali is the point where buses from various stations come. From here, one can take bus/taxi to any destination in Lahaul-Spiti, Pangi & Leh during the months between June to November depending upon opening and closing of Rohtang pass (3979 m), the gateway to this valley. National highway 21 is passes through this valley enroute to Leh. 

Distances from Keylong

Places to visit	Km
Gondla	18
Guru Ghantal Monastery	12
Kardang Monastery	05
Darcha	37
Shahshur Monastery	04
Sissu	33
Tandi	08
Tayul Gompa	06
Bara Lacha La	82
Sarchu	114
Udaipur	55
Kilar	140
Kaza	185

Manimahesh

In the month of August/September the famous JATRA of Manimahesh commences from Laxmi-Narayana Temple in Chamba. This year the annual yatra is scheduled to be held from 8th to 15th September 2011. The CHHARI is taken to the sacred lake of Manimahesh, which is one of the chief tirthas in the district. Off late people from north India and beyond have started visiting this sacred lake. According to an estimate nearly one lakh people visit this sacred lake every year and take a holy dip. The lake is situated at the height of 13,500 feet above sea level and at the base of Manimahesh Kailsah peak (18,564 feet), 92 km from Chamba. Manimahesh Kailash is a virgin peak. In 1968 an Indo-Japanese team led by Nandini Patel made an unsuccessful attempt to scale the peak. The devout attribute the failure to the divine prowesses of the holy mountain. On the margin of the lake is a small marble Shivaling called CHAUMUKHA.  

 Manimahesh is 27 km from Bharmour. During the mela days sufficient bus service is available upto Hadsar, 14 km from Bharmour. The pilgrimage is generally done in two stages. Between Dhanchho and Manimahesh lake, there are minor places of pilgrimage known as Bandar Ghati, Gauri Kund, Shiv Kalotri and Ganesh Ghati. The trek from Dhanchho to Manimahesh lake is difficult in patches. Just short of the lake is Gauri Kund where women take a holy dip before returning to home. The pilgrimage to Manimahesh is considered sacred like that of Amarnath, Badrinath and Rameshwarm. During the mela days several BHANDARAS are set-up for the benefit of pilgrims and meals are served free of cost. Pack animals are also available for those who do not want to carry their luggage themselves. 

Bharmani Devi: Bharmani Devi, the patron Goddess of Bharmaur is 4 km from Bharmour on a steep gradient, located on a ridge among the forest and has a facinating view of Budhal valley. According to a legend Goddess was residing in the Bharmaur Chaurasi, before the advent of pilgrims. When Lord Shiva first appear in Bharmaur, the Goddess shifted her seat to the hill top known as Bharmani. It is said that Goddess passed a command to Lord Shiva that the journey to the sacred Manimahesh peak would be incomplete unless the devotees visit her place. Since then it is a ritual to visit Bharmani Devi, before the journey to Manimahesh. 

Laxmi Narayana Temple

Laxmi Narayana Temple, which is the main temple of Chamba town was built by Sahil Varman in the 10th century AD. The temple has been built in the Shikhara style. The temple consists of Bimana i.e. Shikhara and GarbhGriha with a small antralya. Laxmi Narayana Temple has a mandapa like structure also. The wooden Chhattries, the shell roof, atop the temple were in response to the local climatic conditions as a protection against snowfall. 

There are several other temples within the complex. The temple of Radha krishna, Shiva Temple of Chandergupta and Gauri Shankar Temple are among these. The temple of Laxmi Narayana continued to be embellished by the Rajas who succeeded to the throne of Chamba. Raja Balabhadra Verma perched the metallic image of Garuda on a high pillar at the main gate of the temple. Raja Chhatra Singh place gilded pinnacles on the temple tops in 1678 as a reaction against the orders of Aurangzeb to demolish the temple. Later Rajas also added a shrine or two, thus enriching the complex.