Watching the mighty Himalayas do their thing by just standing put can be therapy for the most troubled soul. The mountains are a constant reminder of your insignificance in the scheme of things. On a road trip through Spiti Valley, a Himalayan region, the author found villages protected and provided for by the colossal range. As the vehicle navigated precariously narrow kuchcha roads, under ledges formed by falling rocks, even as the unbothered River Spiti lazily carried on with its business, some breath-taking discoveries were made.
Sarahan (7,589 feet above sea level)
After a brief stop at the scenic and cold Jalori Pass that floats among the clouds, we reached the sleepy Sarahan village, that’s merges well the modern and the traditional. A rocky road leads to the Bhimakali Temple, a quiet abode for the spiritually inclined. The temple with Chinese influences has a courtyard which offers a spectacular view of snow-clad mountains that look like someone set the peaks on fire as they slowly swallow the evening sun. With your footwear and other belongings, leave behind all worries and surrender yourself to a belief of the simple, yet all-knowing village folk.
Quirky things to do at Sarahan: Sit on the high wall bordering the village, watch cars in the distance finding their way through mountains. Chat up villagers, play with their kids and get to know what the mountains mean to them.
Nako (12,014 feet ASL)
Nako is a beautiful village that’s home to approachable and talkative villagers. Nestled on the sidelines of the village is the holy Nako Lake that’s surrounded by willow and poplar trees. The stone fencing around the lake makes it look like a well-designed amphitheatre, where reflection of the dancing trees will be the most silent, yet lyrical performance you will have witnessed. Despite limited amenities, the village has provisions for solar power conversion. Villagers grow carrots, cauliflowers and cabbage in fields that are again separated by stone bunds.
Quirky things to do in Nako: Walk around the Nako Lake and the village to soak in the culture. Admire the roofs for their utility or stare at the stone walls and find a method to the madness of lanes in Nako.
Tabo (10,760 feet ASL)
This village houses the 1018-year-old Tabo Monastery, a place where the current Dalai Lama plans to retire to. Made of mud, the monastery could give the most advanced air-conditioning technology a run for its money. Statues of Dalai Lama’s disciples, paintings of followers, Buddhist scriptures and the overall aura gives you a peaceful, personal encounter with a higher power. You don’t have to be a practising Buddhist to experience the surroundings, it will engulf your being even before you realise it. The friendly monks are more than happy to enlighten you on the teachings of the Buddha.
Quirky things to do in Tabo: Check into the monastery guesthouse, a quaint, wooden structure with glass roof to let natural light in. The rustic environment at the guesthouse where monks live and meditate, will teach you to appreciate the simple way of living, for example, treating hot water as luxury. Break Tibetan bread at the open air monastery café and trade stories with other travellers.
Dhanker (12,774 feet ASL)
This dusty yet picturesque village gives a spectacular view of the Dhanker monastery in the distance. From afar, the monastery and houses look like civilisation atop brittle anthills that are protected by gigantic snow-clad guardians so nothing crumbles. But the icing on the mountain, quite literally, is the Dhanker Lake. The one-hour trek up to the lake is not for the fainthearted. When you’re out of breath, thanks to the lack of oxygen as you ascend, you could well turn back and miss the inexplicable beauty of the lake. Serene blue, green water reflecting the black forest cake-like mountains in the far background is the stuff photoshopped postcards are made of.
Quirky things to do in Dhanker: Take your footwear off and feel your feet go numb as you step into the icy cold lake. Take a 360 degree selfie and preserve the experience for posterity. Stay at a dormitory and when night falls, star gaze through the glass wall to know the true meaning of ‘surreal’.
What else
- Conduct an impromptu jam and dance session at a homestay in Kibber.
- Visit Kye Gompa, a monastery situated on a hill, and learn about the eight symbols in Buddhism
- Walk around Mane, one of the few villages, and appreciate the early morning laziness of the countryside
- Check out the mummy Lama at Giu, a fairly lesser known attraction
