Keylong Himachal Pradesh

A modest Old World Buddhist shrine of the Drugpa sect, Shashur Gompa, was constructed in the sixteenth century. It is situated two kilometres from Keylong, a mountainous town. It is positioned at 6000 metres above the valley and is surrounded by gorgeous blue pine trees. The Gompa is renowned for both its outstanding architecture and its instructional centre.

The Kardang monastery, located in the foothills of the Himalayas, has been around for 900 years. The Kardang monastery is one of the first artefacts of the Drukpa lineage. The monastery is notable historically because it is a part of Kardang village, which was once the administrative hub of Lahaul. The monastery is located at a height of 3500 metres above sea level on the bank of the Bhaga River. After the monastery was created in the later years of the 12th century but eventually completely destroyed, it was rebuilt in the 20th century by two lamas, Lama Norbu Rinpoche (who died in 1952) and Lama Kunga. The monastery is renowned across the world for its aesthetic appeal and spiritual significance. A beautiful collection of Thangka paintings, frescoes, murals, old weapons, and musical instruments like horns, flutes, and drums can be found inside the monastery.

Jispa, a quaint little village in the Lahaul region of Himachal Pradesh, is a spectacular must-see. The most spectacular views of the surrounding mountains may be seen in Jispa, which is two hours from Baralacha-la and is located on the banks of the river Bhaga. It is commonly considered a rest stop on the Manali-Leh Highway on the way to Leh, but I beg to differ. This place is unquestionably worthy of a planned vacation all by itself! For those making the arduous journey to Leh-Ladakh, this tiny settlement, with its 78 houses and breathtaking elevation of 10,500 feet, serves as a rest stop.

A holy lake, Suraj Tal, also called Surya Taal, is encircled by stunning valleys and magnificent mountains. It is reported to stem from the Bhaga tributary of the Chandrabhaga river and is located in the Lahaul Spiti valley beneath the Bara-Lacha-La pass. This gorgeous lake has the distinction of being the third-highest lake in India and the 21st-highest lake in the entire world. It is also renowned as the lake of the Sun God, and it is said that bathing in this holy lake will purge you of all your sins. Wintertime brings out the best in this lake’s splendor, as the mountains surrounding it are completely covered in snow, giving the area an almost divine appearance.

On the Manali-Leh Highway, 20 kilometres from Jispa and 43 from Keylong, is a small lake known as Deepak Tal. This lake and Suraj Tal are the two lakes you’ll pass by on your journey to Baralacha La Pass. Even though it is a little body of water, it is located in a beautiful environment and acts as a stopover for travellers heading from Manali to Leh or the other way around.

The Zanskar range is home to Baralacha La, also referred to as Baralacha Pass. It is a high mountain pass that connects the Himachal Pradesh districts of Lahaul and Leh along the Leh-Manali route. Viewers find the sparse landscapes, which are devoid of any hotels or shops, to be really lovely.

Sissu serves as a gateway to the three well-known Indian Himalayan regions of Ladakh, Spiti, and Lahaul on the Manali-Leh highway, roughly 40 kilometres from Manali. While posed with breathtaking glaciers all about, this tiny Himalayan community gives visitors a taste of the traditional Lahauli way of life through everyday activities. You can anticipate taking many day trips as well as going hiking, camping, trekking, and stargazing in this region.

The charming hamlet of Udaipur is situated on the banks of the Chandrabhaga River in the Himachal Pradesh province’s Lahaul and Spiti region and is known for housing the historic Marikula Mata Temple. Both Hindus and Buddhists regard the pilgrimage destination as sacred. Udaipur, which is at a 2,743-meter elevation, is 53 kilometres north of Keylong. Because of the temple honouring Markula Devi, a manifestation of Goddess Durga, it was formerly known as Markul. It was renamed Udaipur in 1695 AD in honour of King Udai Singh of Chamba.

One of the names of Lord Shiva is Trilokinath, which translates to “lord of the three realms.” Hindus adore Trilokinath’s marble idol as Lord Shiva. Buddhists venerate a picture of Amitabha Buddha, the Buddha of limitless light, that lies atop the idol known as Avalokiteshwara. The history of the temple has been the subject of several theories. According to one school of thinking, Padmasambhava later changed the temple from being a Lord Shiva temple to a Buddhist temple. The temple is thought to be a prime example of Kashmiri-Kannauj architecture.

The Atal Tunnel is nothing short of a miracle in Himachal Pradesh. Since the Atal Tunnel was built, a large number of people have come to visit. This tunnel, which was constructed at a height of 10,000 feet above sea level, has been recognised as the longest road tunnel in the world by the London World Book of Records. In around 8 to 9 minutes, you will have travelled through the 9.02 KM long tunnel and be entering a whole different world. Even higher mountain peaks covered in snow can be found in this new environment, along with barren landscapes (similar to those in Ladakh) and a river named Chandra that flows adjacent to the tunnel and is a tributary of the Chenab. Amazingly, the north and south portals of the tunnel, located in Manali and Lahaul, respectively, provide views of utterly different geography and landscape.

The Solang Valley, sometimes referred to as the “Snow Valley,” is well-known for hosting a number of winter adventure sports, including skiing, paragliding, and mountaineering. At an average elevation of 2,560 metres above sea level, this brilliant valley is one of Manali’s most gorgeous vistas. It is one of the most popular trekking destinations for visitors staying in Manali. Between the Solang hamlet and Beas Kund, the Solang Valley provides magnificent views of glaciers and snow-covered mountains. There is a small lodge and a guest house that is owned by the Mountaineering and Allied Sports Institute, and the Mountaineering Institute of Manali has erected a ski lift for training purposes. Every year, the winter skiing festival is also held in Solang, where tourists may enjoy sports like zorbing, horseback riding, and riding snow motorbikes.

If you’re considering taking a trip to the stunning areas adjacent to Kullu and Manali, you must visit Rohtang Pass. Due to its unrivalled natural beauty, the well-known Vistas Point is one of the most significant tourist destinations in the region. The pass is close by and easily accessible by automobile, about 50 miles from the main town. One of Rohtang La’s great attractions is that it is one of the highest passes in the Himalayas. The pass, which soars to a breathtaking 3978 metres above sea level, offers some of the Himalayas’ most pristine views.