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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 as 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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