 |
 |
| |
| Kinnaur - Land of Legends |
|
Kinnaur is a land steeped in legend and rich with mythology and lore. It gives a wonderful introduction of confluence of Hinduism and Buddhism. The temples of Baspa Valley in Kinnaur are fine example of ancient pagoda architecture with extraordinary wooden carving. Kinnaur is still very traditional and the very air of this quaint valley is full of enigma and mystery. This land occupies a special place in the ancient Hindu as well Buddhist texts and legends, its inhabitants – the mythical kinners, who were considered to be demigod like creatures in the ancient Hindu Puranas were regarded great musicians, who taught music to gods.
|
|
The journey through Kinnaur is not just merely a visual experience but an intensely spiritual voyage too. Such is the power of the place that even a casual visitor can feel the aura of mysticism in the air. This can be easily felt here during some traditional ceremonies, like – Fullaich, the festival of flowers in early September. Upper Kinnaur has a strong Buddhist influence where as lower Kinnaur is mix of Hinduism and Buddhism. For connoisseurs of native pagan traditions also, Kinnaur has something to offer. Each village in Kinnaur has a strong shamanic tradition and ancient village deities still exercise their occultist
powers through their oracles.
|
|
A visit to this remote tribal region transports one back into another time zone, to the hallowed past and into the dawn of civilization, as it were.
|
|
| Main Town |
|
Recong Peo (2290) and Kalpa (2960) |
|
Is the Distt Head Quarter of Kinnaur on old Hindustan – Tibet Road, being the largest
market in the area, people from the near by village and towns come here buy the
necessary goods. One can visit the Kalachakra place, Narayan Nagini Temple. Visit to the
traditional village of Roghi (One can also walk to the Village) Kalpa offers the nearest view
of Kinner – Kailash and Shivlingam Peak.
|
|
| Interesting Places to visit |
|
SANGLA VALLEY - Here we visit the beautiful village of Baspa Valley such as Chitkul (3450 mts) – the route in this stretch is very narrow and steep till Chitkul, the last and highest village in Baspa Valley. It is situated on the Right Bank of Baspa Valley; there is a temple dedicated to local Goddess, Mathi, which is said to have been constructed some 500 years ago. One can visit Kamru Temple and fort in Kamru Village, situated on a top of Sangla Village. The whole day is spend visiting all these beautiful villages and meeting their beautiful inhabitants.
|
| |
Monasteries of Charang and Kanum - Among the several monastic centers founded by Rin-chen-bZangpo (Ratnabhadra, 958-1055 A.D.), quite a good number were Chos-hkors i.e., the doctrinal enclaves where facilities for diverse studies were available. The Kangyur temple at Kanum is living testimony to his academic accomplishment, Kanum itself. Means, “A place of the sacred books”. The famous Swedish scholar Alexander coma the corse spent time in the library to study the ancient Buddhists texts of Kangyur, the monastery of Charang is another ancient monastery dating back to same era.
|
|
Nako (2950Mts.) is situated about 2 km from Hangrang valley road on the Western direction of the huge mountain of Pargil. This is the highest and the largest village in the valley on the Left Bank of river Spiti. It is encircled on every side by high hills, which is a witness to the presence of former lake. The village is under the influence of Buddhism, but there are local deities, Gyalbo, Dabla and Yalso are worshiped. the village is the monastic complex of four large temples; belonging to the Dugpa order. The complex is called Locha – Lhakhang i.e. Lhostaba, Lhakhang after the great Rin – Chen Zangpo besides these temples on the South West are almost un distinguishable heaps of ruined monks cells and few chhortens (stupas).
|
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
| |
