स्पिती....

Spiti was the most awaited destination of this year. After Ladakh there were increased expectations, all were very eager meeting Himalaya again. And this time it was via Spiti.

The journey to Spiti Valley took us through the roads not much traveled, literally!

Spiti means  “The Middle Land”, the land between India and Tibet. From wide fields of snow to rich green valley to cold desert with different shades of mud brown, it has the memorable breath taking scenic features. स्पितीचं सौंदर्य रांगडं !!! त्यात नजाकतपणा आहे, आणि प्रसंगी निसर्गासमोर नतमस्तक करायला लावणारा अहंकार पण आहे…. At instances Spiti gives you impression that it is one of the most inaccessible and complicated terrain in Himalaya.

It is said that long ago in 8^th century, Padmasambhava, the Indian Buddhist Monk, set up and blessed some of the monasteries in Spiti and ever since they have remained unchanged.

The route for this trip was from Shimla via Narkanda, Sangla, Rekong Peo, Kalpa, Tabo, Kaza , Losar, Batal, Rohatang and finally ending at Manali. 

We visited Komic village, it is the highest village situated at 4587mtr altitude connected with motorable road with almost 300+ people living there. We visited Key Monastery and Tabo monastery which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It has houses for more than 60 lamas and has some rare collection of scriptures, pieces of art and wall paintings. The lamas always welcome you with a smile. 

We stayed in Kaza, the largest township in Lahaul Valley and Spiti Valley. We were in Batal, a flat valley near Kunzum pass surrounded by snow covered mountains with temperature less than 3ᵒC.

The trip was with moments of happiness and disappointments. "चंद्रताल जवळ जाऊनही तिथे न पोहोचण्याचा अपेक्षाभंग जितका मोठा तितकच तिथून वेळीच निघाल्यामुळे नंतर आलेल्या नैसर्गिक आपत्तीमधून बचावल्याचा आनंदही.  निघताना चंद्रताल साठी परतण्याचे मनोमन ठरवत एक आणखी नवी मोहीम आतापासूनच साद घालू लागलीये. हिमालय भुरळ पाडतो आणि स्वतःकडे बोलावत राहतो याचंच हे पुनः प्रत्यय.."

The trip was memorable, indeed because of Himalaya and its different terrain, SPITI…. And off course, the pictures which will keep the memories forever!!!