Spiti is the sub division
of Lahaul & Spiti district with its hqrs.
at Kaza. It is called "Little Tibet"
because it has almost the same terrain, vegetation & climate
. Spiti also means "Middle Country".
It lies between Tibet, Ladakh, Kinnaur, Lahaul & Kulu.
From Shimla via Kinnaur there is a motorable road which remains
open upto Kaza for 8 to 9 months. About 10kms. ahead of Pooh,
satluj enters India near Shipki la & Spiti river joins
it at Khab. The road then goes to Sumdo via Hangrang valley.
From Sumdo Spiti valley starts. The Spiti river flows fast through deep gorges at some places. The valley
is not wide but there are villages and some fields where people
grow barley, buck- wheat, peas & vegetables. It has an
area of 4800 sq. kms. Some inhabitants have adopted Budhism
as there faith and Bhoti is the spoken language. The people
are simple and honest. The main Spiti valley is split into
eastern and western valleys. They are connected with Ladakh
& Tibet on eastern side & Kinnaur and Kulu on western
side through high passes.
There are a large number of gompas in this valley but it has
also some important and famous monasteries, a brief description
Monasteries : It is situated 12 kms. north
of Kaza and serves the western population of Spiti. It is
the oldest and biggest monastery of the valley and located
at (4116 m) above Kye village. It houses beautiful scriptures
and paintings of Budha and other goddesses. Lamas practice
dance, sing and play on pipes and horns. Many Lamas get religious
training here. It has murals and books of high aesthetic value.
Gompa: It is located 13kms. above kaza serving
western part of central Spiti. Situated in a secluded place
in the narrow gauge of Kaza Nallah, it generally has a Lama
from Tibet. Above this there is a long plateau which leads
to Shilla peak.
Gompa: It is situated in the Pin valley about
10 kms. from Attargo where Spiti river has to be crossed to
enter Pin valley. It is serves the population of Pin valley.
Monastery: It is situated about 25 kms. east
of Kaza and serves eastern part of central Spiti. Dhankar
is a big village and erstwhile capital of Spiti Kingdom. On
top of a hill there is a fort which use to be the prison in
olden times. The Monastery has about 100 Lamas and is in position
of Budhist scriptures in Bhoti language. Principal figure
is a Statue of " Vairochana" (Dhayan Budha) consisting
of 4 complete figures seated back to back. It has relics in
the shape of paintings and sculptures.
Monastery: It is another big gompa for serving
the population of eastern side. It belongs to the tenth century
and is located 50 kms. from kaza. It is a famous gompa next
to Tholing Gompa in Tibet. It has about 60 Lamas and a large
collection of Scriptures, wall paintings etc. Murals of this
gompa have a great similarity to that of the Ajanta paintings.