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Spiti is
mysterious;
like a
geological museum, felt almost like another
world.
Prior to
India's independence, the domain of the Maharaja (king)
of Kashmir; it formed part of Ladakh, and is, in fact,
much like Ladakh- treeless, harsh, bitterly cold and
peopled by remarkably friendly, warm and hospitable. |
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This
valley is connected to the southern part of
Himachal Pradesh through the Rohtang Pass, which
is inaccessible through almost three-quarters of
the year. Other than the Rohtang Pass, the Kunzum
La Pass, between Spiti and Lahaul, also has to be
traversed if you have to get to Spiti, which makes
things even more difficult- because Kunzum La
stays choked with snow even longer than Rohtang.
As a consequence, the only months when you can
actually visit Spiti are August, September and
October. |
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Spiti
was opened to foreign tourists in 1992- and even
till now, any foreigners heading for the area
require to get permits. Entry permits can be
obtained from the District Magistrate at Shimla or
Kullu, or the Sub District Magistrate in Shimla.
Foreigners travelling in a group of four or more
can get a permit from the Additional Deputy
Commissioner in Kaza. |
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On the left bank of
the river Spiti, the Ki gompa, is regarded as the
largest in the sub-division. It is a collection of
rooms and a labyrinth of corridors that do not
follow any defined plan, but seem to have grown
over the years. Portions of the structure are
three stories high, while others are lower. No
definite date can be ascribed to the construction
of the gompa – that acted both as a monastery and
a s fort. Some scholars believe this to have been
built by Dromton (1008-64 AD). Others differ and
place its origins in later centuries, but by and
large, most agree that it was built before the
fifteenth century. |
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