Kinnaur
:
Kinnaur
is located in the North-Eastern part of Himachal Pradesh. Kinnaur shares
its Eastern boundary with Tibet. The Zanskar mountains form the international
frontier between Kinnaur and Tibet. Kinnaur is a tribal area of Himachal
Pradesh in true style. The breathtaking Sangla valley offers the visitors
the breathtaking view of captivating lush green orchards in the lap
of majestic mountains covered with pure and dazzling white snow. The
district has a number of valleys varying in altitude from 1000 metres
to 4000 metres. The main of them are - The Satluj valley, The Hangrang
or Spiti valley, The Ropa or Shiasu valley, The Baspa or Sangla valley
and the Tidong valley. Among these, the Satluj valley is the largest
river valley of the district and traverses for about 140 km. in the
region.
Kinnaur has some very important rivers as - the Satluj, which divides
Kinnaur almost in two equal parts. The Spiti is the second major river
of the district. The Baspa river rises on the North-Eastern declivity
of the Dhauladhar range. The Yolong also joins the Spiti. The Ropa river
rises on the declivity of the range that divides the district Kinnaur
and Lahaul-Spiti and merges with Satluj near Shiasu. 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. It is no wonder that
a local tradition maintains that Kinnaur with all its beauty fell from
the clouds as a gift from the gods.
Tourism
in Kinnaur :
Famous Places Around Kinnaur :
Sangla : ( 2,680 metres ) It is an important village
of the Baspa valley situated on the right bank of Baspa river is built
on a slope with houses rising one above other with gigantic 'Kinner
Kailash' peak ( 6,500 meters ) towering from behind is also famous for
'Kamru Fort'. This fort was the place where so many Rajas of Kinnaur
were crowned. The entire place is adorned by soothing saffon fields
and alpine meadows.
Rakchham : ( 2,900 metres ) Its name has been derived
from 'Rak' a stone and 'Chham' a bridge. The location of the village
is striking. It is located on the right bank of the Baspa river.
Kalpa : ( 2,670 metres ) It is one of the main villages
of the district connected by link road 14 km. from Powari beyond Rekong
Peo. Looming in front of Kalpa is an imressive view of 'Kinner Kailash'
directly across the Satluj river. This mountain changes colors several
times a day with a change of weather conditions or may be as destined
by Lord Shiva his eternal abode. 'Parvati Kund' is located on the top
of Kinner Kailash. The ancient villages of Pangi, Moorang and Kanum
are situated close to Kalpa.
Recong Peo : ( 2,760 metres ) It is the headquarter
of the district Kinnaur.
Kothi : It is also called Koshtampi. It is little below
Kalpa proper and it is overshadowed by Kinner Kailash peak. Goddess
'Shuwang Chandika' temple is a famous one in the village. The village
with its attractive temple, gracious willows, green fields, fruit trees
makes an altogether a beautiful landscape.
Pooh : ( 2,830 metres ) It is also known as 'Spuwa'
and it is a tehsil headquarters located on National Highway-22. The
place is famous for vineyards, apricot, almond and grapes orchard. It
is 58 km. from Powari along the National Highway. It has modern facilities
for comfortable stay. 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.
Nako : ( 3,662 meters ) It is the highest village in
the valley and the existence of lake formed out of the masses of ice
and snow above adds to beauty of the village. 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. Local village deity is Deodum
and another Lagang temple with several idols exist here. There is a
staying hut for visitors.
Ribba : ( 2,745 meters) It is also called 'Rirang'.
It is another popular village at a distance of 14 kms. from Morang,
the tehsil headquarters and situated between the village of 'Purbani'
and 'Rispa' is known for grapes, orchards and the alcohol distilled
from grapes (angoori).
Leo : Located on the right bank of the Spiti river.
It is the headquarters of sub tehsil Hangrang in Pooh sub-division.
There is temple of 'Jamato' worth visiting.
Chitkul : (3,450 meters) This is the last and highest
village in the Baspa valley in district Kinnaur. It is situated on the
right bank of Baspa river.
Lippa : (2,745 meters) It is in Kinnaur, situated near
the left bank of Taiti stream. Three Buddhist monasteries are there,
which are dedicated to Galdang, Chhoiker Dunguir and Kangyar. The place
is also famous for Ibex found in the nearby forest.
Chango : (3,058 meters) It is in Kinnaur district and
is a collection of four hamlets in pargana 'Shuwa' sub-tehsil Hangrang,
on the left bank of Spiti river. It is encircled on every side by high
hills which is a witness to the presence of a former lake. This village
is under the influence of Buddhism, but there are some local Hindu deities
too namely 'Gyalba' - 'Dabla' and 'Yalsa'.
Karchham : ( 1,900 metres ) The confluence of Satluj
and Baspa rivers marks the location of Karchham on Hindustan-Tibet road.
Nichar : ( 2,150 metres ) This village is situated
between Taranda & Wangtu on the left bank of Satluj about 5 kms. above
Wangtu. The scenery is enchanting. Ghoral , antelopes, black & red bears
are seen sometimes in higher ranges.
Morang : ( 2,591 metres ) This village is situated
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.
Kinner Kailash Circuit ( Parikrama ) : One can undertake
this holy parikrama from Morang and return to Kalpa / Karcham in 7-
8 days.
Tourism
in Kinnaur :
Tourism in Kinnaur offers gushling rivers, breath taking valleys, beautiful villages, tribal lifestyle, majestic mountains, lush green orchards, great camping escape, trout angling and fishing activities, rock climbing, snow covered peaks, refreshing weather and memorable kinner kailash circuit. Tourism in Kinnaur is receiving great appriciation from foreigner tourists and India tourists. Tourism in Kinnaur has been growing immensely for the past few years. Once hidden is now suddenly on the map of every tourist. Tourism in Kinnaur is also typically different. You have to get familiar with the typical Kinnaur conditions. The possibilities of tourism in Kinnaur are mainly for six months when the valleys of Kinnaur uncover themselves from thick cover of snow. Tourism in Kinnaur offers lesser known Himalayas in true style. Tourism in Kinnaur offers Sangla and Baspa Valleys for great camping escape. If you are a nature lover and camping is your passion, then you can never get better camping experience than camping experience offered by Sangla and Baspa valleys. The best time to visit Kinnaur is between April and October.
District Kinnaur : General Information
Altitude : varies from 2,550 metres to 6,791 meters.
Headquarter : Recong Peo ( altitude 2,760 meters )
- former HQ. was Kalpa ( altitude 2,770 meters )
Location : Kinnaur is situated 77°45' and 79°00'35''
East Longitudes and between 31°55'50'' and 32°05'15'' North Latitudes.
Kinnaur shares its Eastern boundary with Tibet. On the South and South
Eastern sides, it has Uttar Kashi district of Uttar Pradesh. On the
Western side lies the Shimla district and on the North and North-West
is situated Lahaul and Spiti.
Access by Air : Nearest airport is Jubbar Hatti ( from
Shimla to Kalpa ) 244 km.
Access by Rail : The nearest narrow gauge railway station
is at Shimla 250 km. ( approx.)
Access by Road : Almost each and every part of the
state is linked by roads. The Himachal Road Transport Corporation is
running its buses covering the whole state. There is huge network of
HRTC to cater the needs of the people.
Distances : One can travel in a taxi or jeep on National
Highway 22 for the entire journey from Kalka to Kinnaur. Some of the
parts of journey can be done by long route buses run by HRTC. Distance
from Shimla to Kalpa is 244 km.
