| Lahaul Valley |
| Population 33,224 Altitude 2740 - 6400 m Area 13835 square km Languages Lahauli, English, Hindi, Bhoti |
| The valley of Lahaul is situated to the south of Ladakh. For this very reason this place derived its name “Lho-Yul” meaning "Southern Country". To the south lie the Pir Panjal and main Himalayan ranges. In comparison with the landscape of Spiti and Northern Kinnaur, Lahaul is much greener. Via the 3980 metres high Rohtang pass (literally ”the pass of the heaps of corpses”), which marks the entry to Lahaul from the Kulu valley over the Pir Panjal mountain chain, it receives a lot more rainfall than its barren neighbours. Rohtang-la serves as a kind of weather division between the humid India and the dry Tibet. The small region actually comprises two canyon-like valleys, through which flow the rivers Chandra (Moon) and Bhaga (Sun). In the heart of Lahaul the two rivers flowing through the valleys unite at a place called Tandi, forming Chandrabhaga, the ”Moon-Sun-river”. Both rivers begin at the Baralacha pass (4883 metres). Lahaul is marked by a central mass of uniformly high mountains and massive glaciers. The Lahaul valley is surrounded by mountains with elevations ranging from 3,000 to 6,500 meters above sea level. The summer only lasts from June to early September. Already in October the snow masses close Rohtang pass and Lahaul remains inaccessible until the snowmelt in June. This valley is famous for high snowfall and severe winter. The land in Lahaul valley is quite fertile and extensively used for off season vegetables and seed potatoes. In comparison to Spiti, Lahaul valley has better irrigation facilities. The crops grown here are barley and buck wheat. The Lahaul Valley is sparsely populated. 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 people of Lahaul valley are cheerful and of a kind disposition. They are superstitious, credulous, industrious and honest. |
| The main part of Lahaul is dominated by the towns of Keylong, the administrative headquarters, and Khardang with its beautiful Buddhist monastery. Following the narrow road along the Chandrabhaga stream towards the west one reaches the district of Udaipur, where the ancient Mirkula Devi temple is located. Towards the north the villages of Tayul, Jispa, Gemur, Darcha and Patseo dot the track along the road through more and more arid terrain towards the Baralacha pass (literally ”pass, where the roads cross”). Beyond the Baralacha-pass begin the virtually endless plains of Rupshu / Changthang. Keylong (3340 m) Keylong is the district Headquarters of Lahaul Spiti on the main road to Leh over the Rohtang La. It is an oasis of green fields and willow trees, water streams surrounded by brown hills and snow capped peaks. There are hotels, tourist bungalows and rest houses to stay. Internet access is available. Banks and Internet There are no banking facilities in the Lahaul valley. You may be able to change US dollars at the Hotel Tashi Deleg in Keylong but it would be better to get as much cash as you need in Manali. Internet access is available at Keylong. |