Amidst this grand unfold of vivid beauties, the mountains, the streams, the meadows and therefore the snowline of Himachal are a real spectacle which will inspire several a artist - be it poet, painter or thinker. A drive on the Manali Keylong Leh route passing through the high altitude of Lahaul and Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh offers a mix of all this and far a lot of. A travel on this route is nothing however a poet's delight and a photographer's heaven.
Given the adverse road conditions and unfavorable weather, one wants a passion to venture into this one in every of the foremost difficult roads of the country. it's advisable to hold full winter gear in all weathers. the primary encounter with unpredictable weather will begin as early as Solang valley, barely ten km out of Manali when the intense, radiant Sun is overshadowed by a dark cloud among seconds.
Travelers typically take the primary halt at Marhi, which, besides being a chai-pakora station, is additionally the reporting centre for all vehicles plying on Manali Leh route. when a hot cup of tea and paying obeisance at a neighborhood temple, one moves ahead on the foremost mesmerising ascent of the journey - the large Rohtang Pass that stands tall at 3979 metre on east Pir Panjal vary. Gorges and colossal rocks scare the challenge the travelers on one facet whereas a huge Himalayan vary casts a spell on the other! Maneuvering several needle-shaped turns, with slopes exceeding forty degree, and encountering lonely stretches, abundant hustle and bustle awaits the guests atop Rohtang. The Pass, that in Tibetan suggests that a pile of corpses, leaves everybody awestruck with its grandeur and humility!!
The Himalayas, that look gigantic upon ascent, bear a noticeable check up on the Pass. Altitude is that the sole indication of enormity. The mountain, though huge, stay humble before humans atop! The Pass, notorious for its unpredictability, is additionally known for Beas Kund - a spring - the supply of river Beas, that originates subtly beneath a blue and gray closed structure. many serene moments at the Beas Kund convey that rivers, but fiery, have a humble origin!
Humility is best taught there than elsewhere!
A few turns later, one encounters an area with several flags. At 4111 metre, this can be the very best purpose of Rohtang. Vendors usually crowd there with stalls for chana-kulchas. Who will resist these hot, nee warm, snacks within the biting cold and chilly breeze? Alongside, one also can get pleasure from ride on the newly introduced all weather bikes, giving a feel of a mini journey sports arena.
The real beauty begins beyond Rohtang, where the character unfolds its mystique, virginity and purity! The lofty Himalayas appear to be kissing the sky. attributable to high altitude, the Sun gets therefore shut that the shadow of clouds is clearly seen on mountains - a rare spectacle, that deserves to be aptly captured. One will witness the distinct amendment in vegetation. The tree-line gets away, creating means for little bushes. The mountains become naked, sandy and rocky. within the absence of thick forestry and reduced distance between ground and therefore the sky, the sharp glare of the Sun makes the donning of goggles inevitable.
A few kilometers later, one enters Khoksar, the primary village of Lahaul Valley. The stopover, at the bank of river Chandra, gift a typical hill facet atmosphere - a river bank, a suspension bridge, a large naked rocky mountain, bad road, a PWD Rest house alongside and little roadside outlets giving paranthas, noodles, momos, rice and Siddu, a neighborhood dish. One have to be compelled to push in one thing, as this can be the sole major stop on this road, before reaching Keylong.
As one moves deeper into the Lahaul valley, the terrain becomes therefore lovely that one forgets the displeasure of travelling on unmetalled roads. At several places, mountain streams flow over the road whereas at several alternative places, the pot holes, accumulated rainwater, landslides, bumpy tracks are the sole signs of what we have a tendency to decision a 'road'. Unmindful of this, one should get pleasure from the grandeur of Himalayas, interspersed with waterfalls, streams, rocks and gorges. Wild roses and alpine flowers deck the slopes in an unforgettable feast of colors. Suspension bridges add excitement to journey. Atop one such bridge, one will see the gorgeous Sissu fall cascading over the cliff from a high valley between 2 mountains. Crossing another bridge takes one to Tandi - the confluence of rivers Chandra and Bhaga. From here, the 2 rivers travel in unison as ChandraBhaga. The meeting purpose, with rocky ranges and a noticeable village Ghoshal within the background, is therefore spectacular that it seems in promotional images for this region.
Mountains, rivers, plains, greens all meet at one purpose and make a wide ranging show of the richness of nature. when humility, unity is another lesson taught by Nature on this route!
Legends add feather to the present natural crown of Tandi. it's believed that the wedding procession of Lord Shiva, passing through the tall mountains, had left sinusoidal imprints, visibly distinct from alternative impressions on this vary. There are alternative mythological stories concerning Draupadi and Rishi Vashishta. Tandi is alleged to possess return from 2 words 'Tan Di', i.e. Rishi Vashishta is alleged to possess relinquished his body at this time.
Travellers got to high up their tanks at Tandi, that has the last fuel station before Leh, another 365 km from this place.
Spending moments of leisure at Tandi, one drives ahead for Keylong - a reputation that ignites passion and challenge; a reputation that epitomizes undaunted human spirit of living in frozen conditions and virtual solitude.
For travelers wanting to travel beyond, Keylong is that the ideal place for an evening halt, because it is headquarter of Lahaul and Spiti district. Besides a HP Tourism Hotel, Keylong has several personal hotels. One will visit nearby Udaipur valley or proceed towards Leh, through the gorgeous Jispa valley and therefore the famous Darcha valley. Keylong city additionally includes a little monastery besides a neighborhood market (called because the Mall - equivalent to the other hill station!) that sells things like woolens, handicrafts and olive oil.
Whichever direction one takes consecutive morning, one cannot afford to miss the eternal charm of a dawn in Lahaul.
A gleam of sunshine peeps through the curtains and wakes up the tourists quite early. Pulling open the curtains will leave everybody, and not simply a nature-lover, overwhelmed. The morning Sun is golden and obvious. The meadows are shining and splendid. The cattle graze quietly and birds chirp politely. The moments are packed with cheerful calm and radiant resonance. it's a singular expertise to rouse to such a serene however extravagant morning, that echoes Dickinsons's verse,
"Nature's 1st inexperienced is gold, her hardest hue to hold; her early leaf's a flower, however solely therefore an hour."
One will anticipate to the journey beyond, absolutely overcome by the paranormal nature - indeed unbelievable and unfathomable!
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