Spiti- A holy land of monasteries and the epitome of hidden beauty
Spiti loosely translates as the middle land. It is a snow-capped mountain desert with green patches over a dry, beaten face, mystical valleys, windswept landscapes, and peaceful villages. The geographic location heavily impacts Buddhism and the stark cultural alikeness of the region in the valley.
Religion is instilled in every nook and corner of this holy land, evident through the stacks of central stones and whitewash chortens that house Buddhist remains. Prayer flags dancing persistently in thin air. This place echoes the mantra “Om Mani Padme Hum” (meaning- Behold the jewel in the Lotus) by all bringing good fortune and prosperity to this remote land. Novelist Rudyard Kipling has given words to the beauty of Spiti named “Kim” as “a world within a world, a place where the gods live’- something evident to the present day.
Spiti- A timeless tale of religion and untouched beauty
In the last 20 years, tourism in Spiti has increased exponentially that stayed in secretly for so long, thanks to the magical moonscapes, scenic Himalayan lakes and the harsh highlands nurtured by prayers at thousand-old monasteries that have a panoramic view of the grey ribbon of the Spiti River. The glacial stream brings the inhabitants an abundance of goodwill and hope for life. A slice of paradise landed on earth that allures travellers in its aesthetic beauty in a way that leaves them soulful but never satisfied, such as the beauty of Spiti.
Get on a road where the wind talks to you, leading to the highest motorable village of Komic or a narrow path through rugged terrain accompanied by bewitching landscapes on all sides, and experience the hidden land of solitude and spiritualism first-hand.
We have a list self-curated exclusively for you of top places to visit in Spiti:
Tabo
A small and distant hamlet in the heart of Spiti, Tabo is known for a monastery that is over 1000 years old. Tabo is the largest monastic complex in Spiti, consisting of 9 temples, 23 chortens, a monk chamber and a nun’s chamber. The village, with stretched apple orchards, is in a cold desert. Across the monastery, on a mountainside, there are clusters of caves known for meditation by monks for months of solitary confinement. The monastery has beautiful galleries of wall paintings and stucco statues. A freshly added new chamber is where most daily chanting and prayers are held.
Dhankar
In the middle of Tabo and Kaza is the Schichling, Dhankar monastery village, which hangs on a cliff side on the left bank side of the Spiti River. In the local language, Dhankar means a fort and a monastery, as it was used to guard the valley from outside invaders. Because of its strategic location, the monastery served as a castle for the Nono, the de-factor ruler of the valley. The whole place showcases the building and engineering skills of the Spitians. Dhankar monastery is at a height of 3370 m and is a storehouse of Buddhist scriptures in Bhoti script.
Kaza
Kaza is Spiti’s administrative headquarters and the largest settlement of the valley. Nestled on the Spiti River’s left bank, the small town’s narrow pass leads to the marketplace place, which has some restaurants. You can find a bank, ATM, Post Office and a petrol-diesel filling station at Kaza. It is an excellent base to tour the region. The famous key monastery and remote villages, consisting of Langia, Hikkim, and Komik, can be easily reached here.
Kee Monastery
It is one of the most popular places to visit in Spiti. Landed on a volcanic-shaped hillock, Kee monastery is a cluster of dimly lit rooms and a maze of dark corridors that take you to different complex sections. Ancient and antique wood columns and small flights of stone steps that surrender in front of intricately carved wooden doors guiding you to the prayer chambers show rare thangkas, murals, and numerous ancient musical instruments. A library has manuscripts of sacred Tangyur texts. Besides the monks’ cells, the Gompa has a large assembly hall and chamber embellished with religious paintings. Kee Monastery is 12 km away from Kaza.
Kibber
At a distance of 6 Km from Kee village, Kibber is at an altitude of 4205 meters, the highest populated village of the Spiti. It is also the base for various high-altitude treks. The Kibber Sanctuary stretched across 1400 sq. km, lies past the town and is an abode of blue sheep, ibex, and snow leopards.
In the summer, a state-run bus service from Kaza arrives at the village. When you arrive, you are embraced by lush green fields and houses with similar-looking facades contrasting beautifully against the dry backdrop of lofty hills.
Pin Valley
From the junction of the Pin and Spiti rivers at Atargoo, 10 km from Schichlilng village, a narrow road will take you into the valley carved out by Pin. At its origin, the river is nourished by the Kungri Glacier. The valley has several monasteries, including the Kungri monastery and various others residing in the scenic village of Mud.
Many challenging trekking routes from Pin Valley head out, surpassing the Pin Parbati pass. One trial gets into Kullu valley, while another through Bhawa valley takes you into Kinnaur. The Pin Valley is a National park where more than 20 species of rare animals and birds, such as the endangered snow leopard, are inhabited. Other wildlife creatures in the sanctuary are the ibex, Bharal, Red fox, Marten, Weasel, Snow leopard, bearded vulture, Chakor, golden eagle, Griffon, and Himalayan Chough Weasel.
Chandra Taal
Chandra taal refers to the “Lake of the Moon”, a deep blue, pristine and clear water body high up in the valley hollowed in an attractive crescent shape. North of Kunzum pass- the road to Lahaul from Spiti– this breathtaking lake’s beauty is legendary. It is an ideal pastoral countryside where a blanket of meadow grass covers the slopes, and shepherds lead their flocks to graze in spring and summer. Though a 14km-long jeep road branches from the Manali-Kaza road at Batal to the lake, a better approach is to undertake a 2-hour level walk from Kunzum Pass. This is a top-rated lake in Spiti among trekkers and campers.
Kungri Monastery
Guru Padmasambhava, credited with spreading Buddhism into Tibet, is said to have founded the Kungri monastery in the 14th century. It belongs to the Nyingma sect and is believed to be one of the ancient residential monasteries of Spiti.
Extended over three blocks, the Kungri Monastery is a favourite among scholars, pilgrims and tourists who want to stay back for months or more extended periods to live the life of a monk without disowning one’s religion. The monastery has a high-price collection of more than 380 thangka paintings and many old relics. The monks perform a traditional “Devil and Sword dance” in July every year. It is an ideal time to have a glimpse of the religious life of the community. The monastery is 3 km from Guling village.
Langza
One of the famous villages of Spiti, Langza is guarded by a massive statue of Lord Buddha gazing at the trans-Himalyan ranges dominated by the snow-capped Chau Chau Kang Nilda peak; Langza is famous for ammonite fossils, clay pottery and handcrafted carpets and shawls. The livelihood of people who live in mud houses relies upon handicrafts and agriculture.
Trials breaking out from the village lead to some scenic high-altitude lakes around the town. A concrete road past the city guides you to Komic, one of the highest villages at 4400 meters, which a motorable road will link. Hikkim, the highest residence of Spiti, can be reached from Komic.
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