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 splendour 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 2,745 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 and 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 Km from Manali and is the District Headquarters of Lahul-Spiti District. its character.
Keylong (3,350 m)
The little town of Keylong is the headquarters of the administrative district of Lahaul & Spiti. It has a marketplace, filling stations and medical facilities. Keylong lies above the river Bhaga and is 6 Km from its confluence with the waters of the Chandra at Tandi.
Keylong was also the base of the Moravian missionaries - and the poplar trees still growing there, were planted by them.
Guru Ghantal Monastery (3,020 m)
This lies high over the confluence of the rivers Chandra and Bhaga and is regarded as the oldest monastery in Lahaul. Two great figures of Trans Himalayan Buddhism were associated with it - Padmasambhava and Rinchensang-po. The monastery enshrines and image of the goddess Vajreshwari Devi (Do-jeLha-mo), a wooden image of the Buddha and a marble head of Avalokitesvara - legend has that this head was seen emerging out of the sandbank where the rivers Chandra and Bhaga meet and without waiting for the rest of the body to appear, someone lopped this off. The faithful also believe that in the Guru Ghantal monastery, and sealed in a dark airless room, is the visage of the demon Tsedak who once ravaged that area till he was captured.
Khardang
Visible from Keylong the monastery and village of Kardang lie across the Bhaga. With a backdrop of bare mountains, the monastery is believed to date back to the 12th century and is one of the most revered places of the Drug-pa (Red Hat) sect and has large library of the sacred Kangyur and Tangyur texts - and is also the repository of some exquisite thangka paintings, musical instruments and old weapons. For a long time the monastery was in a state of disrepair till it was revitalised by Lama Norbu in 1912. At Kardang, there are dozens of resident monks and nuns - and many more who are there for short periods. Several monks are believed to have undertaken marathon meditations - with the session lasting for the traditional period of three years, three months and three days. The village of Kardang was once the 'capital' of Lahaul.
Shashur
On the same slope as Keylong, this monastery is surrounded by a rare patch of woodland and was founded in the seventeenth century by Deva Gyatso-and the name 'Shashur` means 'in the blue pines'. The festival of Shashur Tseshe is held every June/July when monks dressed in masks and colourful costumes perform dances. The monastery is known for the images and paintings it houses.
Tayul
'Tayul' means the "place that is chosen", and so it must be for local legend maintains that the main prayer wheel rotates on its own accord on certain occasions. It has a huge statue of Padmasabhava and its library houses the one hundred and one volumes of the sacred Kangyur text.
Air
The Nearest airport is Bhunter, 175 Km from Keylong.
Rail
The nearest station is at Shimla, around 290 Km from Lahaul.
Road
By road the distance is 115 Km from Manali, 188 Km from Kaza, 373 Km from Leh, 435 Km from Chandigarh and 690 Km from Delhi. Heavy winter snows cut off road connectivity to the region at Rohtang Pass for six months from November to June. Buses, Taxis are available from Manali in season.