#places to visit near Rangrik Village

[clearholidaysindia]

Rangrik Village, located near Kaza in Himachal Pradesh, is a charming destination offering a glimpse into traditional Spitian life. This picturesque village is surrounded by stunning mountain views and is known for its peaceful atmosphere. Visitors to Rangrik can explore its ancient monasteries, interact with friendly locals, and experience the unique culture of the Spiti Valley. For those seeking more unique experiences, exploring offbeat places near Rangrik Village can add an extra layer of adventure to your trip.

When exploring places to visit near Rangrik Village, you will find several captivating spots worth checking out. The nearby Langza Buddha Statue is a must-see, offering both spiritual significance and breathtaking panoramic views of the Spiti Valley. Just a short drive away, the Key Monastery provides a deep dive into the region's rich Buddhist heritage and is renowned for its impressive architecture and serene setting. These attractions, combined with Rangrik's own charm, make for a fulfilling travel experience.

Additionally, don't miss visiting the Chaudua Fossil Center, which is relatively close to Rangrik Village. This center offers a fascinating look at ancient fossils and provides insight into the area's geological history. By exploring these diverse places to visit near Rangrik Village, travelers can enjoy a well-rounded experience that highlights both natural wonders and cultural heritage in the beautiful Spiti Valley.

[accuhunt]

“I Love Spiti” – How Travellers Must Help Save India’s Surreal Himalayan Desert.

Six years ago, I set out on my first solo trip in India. The destination was a barren, high altitude mountain desert in the Trans-Himalayas, and my mission was to volunteer and learn about sustainable tourism.

That trip changed my life.

One week after that trip, I resigned from my full-time desk-based job in Singapore, and started charting out a different path in life.

The destination was Spiti and the organisation I volunteered with was Spiti Ecosphere.

Remote and rugged – the upper villages of Spiti.

Back to Spiti after 6 years!

Six years later, in August this year, when I finally decided to go back, it felt like life had come full circle. I had only one agenda in mind: to give back in what little way I could, to the place that changed how I perceive local communities, travel choices, and my own beliefs. My decision to return was sparked by a conversation with Ishita – the founder of Spiti Ecosphere – who lamented how much Spiti has changed over the years, and the dire need to raise more awareness of responsible travel in Spiti.

I nearly cried when the shared taxi deposited us in Kaza, the administrative capital of Spiti. The town that I remembered with only a couple of shops and guesthouses, a handful of travellers, and nothing but the barren mountains all around, has changed beyond recognition, taken over by chaotic concrete construction and shops and tourists.

The issues this environmentally-sensitive Himalayan region is dealing with are too many to summarise in one post. However, in collaboration with Spiti Ecosphere, astro-photographer Saurabh Narang, artist Michael Hickenberg, Instagrammer Aakash Ranison and fellow travellers passing through Spiti, we decided to focus on one big issue: plastic bottles.

Cycling in Spiti – exhilarating.

Shocking facts about plastic bottled water in Spiti

Based on a very conservative number of tourist arrivals, it is estimated that 3,00,000+ plastic bottles are dumped in Spiti every season.

Imagine the irony of drinking bottled “Himalayan” water packaged in the plains and transported to the Himalayas, instead of drinking real (filtered) Himalayan water in Spiti!

On the arduous journey from the plains, usually Punjab, to Spiti, the exposure to heat often causes bottles to leach BPA (Bisphenol A) – a chemical known to cause cancer – into the bottled water.

Bottled water is known to have less oxygen than groundwater, and in a high altitude region like Spiti, you need all the oxygen you can get.

Even if discarded bottles are thrown in a dustbin, they typically end up in a dumping ground adjacent to the Spiti River. They take a minimum of 500 years to degrade, but no one knows exactly how long yet.

If reused by locals, these one-time use bottles leach harmful chemicals into the liquids stored in the bottle. The nearest recycling centre is ~500 kilometres away in Punjab.

If burnt or buried, the bottles release harmful chemicals into the air, groundwater or soil, ultimately landing in the local food or water. These chemicals are known to cause cancer, heart disease, hormonal imbalance and other serious ailments.

The dumping area by Spiti River, near Kaza.

The plan

To discourage the use of plastic bottles, we worked on three levels:

Local businesses in Spiti: Without safe alternatives to bottled water, it would be impossible to discourage their usage. So we began the conversation with hotels, restaurants and cafes across Kaza to install water filters and sell BPA-free water bottles that can be reused, as well as bottles fitted with a filter, like LifeStraw. Ecosphere is now working on a comprehensive map of Kaza, mapping out all water refilling stations across town – and we hope to replicate the efforts in major tourism destinations like Losar and Tabo. Through offline Google Maps, travel blogs and physical maps, we aim to make this map accessible to every traveller who visits Spiti in 2018.

Local community in Spiti: Turns out, most locals in Spiti have been reusing plastic water or fizzy drink bottles to store milk, araakh (the local liquor) and water. In a meeting with Kaza’s women’s self-help group, we shared studies that reveal how harmful chemicals leech from the bottles into the liquids over time – and showcased it with a live demonstration of an empty bottle exposed briefly to the heat of a candle. Try it yourself, to see how it melts and fumes. Pregnancy and heart problems, cancer and other diseases are on the rise in rural Spiti, and this could well be a contributing reason. The alternative for locals is simple – stainless steel containers to store liquids, available locally.

Travellers visiting Spiti (and the Himalayas in general): Lack of awareness among travellers visiting Spiti – both about the health / environmental damage caused by plastic bottled water and the option of drinking filtered Himalayan water – results in 3,00,000+ bottles dumped on the riverbed every season, and that number will only grow with the surge of tourism. So we came up with an idea…

The “I Love Spiti” installation

The idea occurred to me on the shared taxi ride from Manali to Spiti. We were awaiting our turn as each vehicle ahead of us tried to manoeuvre the stream flowing past the road. Outside, I could see mounds of trash along the river bed. Just then, a fellow passenger opened a candy bar and threw the plastic wrapper right out of the window! It angered me and my other co-passengers, and we started explaining to him why he should keep his trash in his pocket till he finds a dustbin.

If you keep throwing wrappers like this, there’ll be no mountains left. All we’ll have are mountains of plastic. And as I told him that, it struck me that we should create exactly that – an artwork of a mountain of plastic to illustrate what we are doing to our mountains.

The artwork idea emerged into a lifesize “I Love Spiti” installation after a discussion with Spiti Ecosphere. All around the world, people take photographs with “I Love New York” and “I Love Amsterdam”. We decided to join the bandwagon, except that our “I Love Spiti” is made entirely of discarded plastic bottles, that we gathered from across Kaza and even retrieved from the dumping ground! The heart alone is made of 300+ bottles, and everyone who takes a photo with the installation pledges to say no to plastic bottled water, atleast while in Spiti.

Ishita, the founder of Ecosphere, as the “I” of “I Love Spiti”.

Michael Hickenberg, an artist from Australia, played an integral role in shaping the installation. It is an amalgamation of the creativity, sweat and physical hardwork of locals and fellow travellers, many of who just happened to see us work on it while passing through Kaza!

The installation can be found near the Kaza gate (near Rangrik Bridge, on the way to/from Kee Monastery); it’ll be dismantled at the end of October 2017 for the harsh winter and reinstalled in June 2018.

Fellow travellers helping out with the installation.

Thanpa-ji, helping us install the lifesize installation.

Michael Hickenberg, the artist who helped shape the installation.

InstaMeet at 12,000+ feet in Kaza

When I heard that the Worldwide InstaMeet was taking place from 8th to 10th September, I knew right away that we had to do one in Kaza, probably the highest InstaMeet in the world – and my first one as a host. Even at 12,000+ feet in this remote Himalayan town, we had a roomful of locals and travellers, and a thought-provoking discussion around responsible travel and how to eliminate plastic bottled water from Spiti.

At the InstaMeet, my fellow traveller and photographer Saurabh showcased a video he shot around Kaza, interviewing locals on how the town has changed, and travellers on the use of plastic bottles. Then we piled into the cars / camper trucks of locals, headed down to the installation spot, and had the King of Spiti (yes!) unveil it.

It so happened that the local politician and his convoy were driving past as we were photographing the installation, and they stopped by to pledge off plastic bottles themselves! How often do you get to say that your InstaMeet was crashed by a local politician?

Even though our shitty internet connection in Spiti didn’t let us post on Instagram in real time, we were really grateful for the support of fellow Instagrammers who had travelled to Spiti in the past, and supported our campaign real-time with #IloveSpiti.

The installation inaugurated by the King of Spiti!

Our InstaMeet at 12,000+ feet, crashed by the local politician and his convoy.

The road ahead

This is just the beginning. By next season, we hope to have a sizeable number of hotels, restaurants and cafes across Kaza equipped with water filters and filter-fitted bottles, the groundwater in Spiti tested for minerals, a comprehensive map of Kaza marking out all water refill stations, cute signs made with discarded plastic bottles indicating water refill stations, and posters that reveal shocking facts about plastic bottled water. If you plan to travel to Spiti, consider volunteering with Spiti Ecosphere to help accomplish these objectives.

The Milky Way from Kaza ❤

How can you help as a traveller visiting Spiti

Take a photo with the installation and pledge to say NO to plastic bottled water in Spiti. As of now, you can refill your bottles with safe, filtered drinking water at Taste of Spiti, Sol Cafe, Hotel Deyzor, Zostel and Delek House in Kaza. Most homestays in the upper villages of Spiti also have water filters.

Before you book your tour, hotel, homestay or guesthouse in Spiti, ask in what ways they contribute to environmental conservation in Spiti. The best way to make businesses care is to demand it as their potential customers.

Volunteer with Spiti Ecosphere – in Spiti or virtually – to take this project to the next level.

Carry your non-biodegradable waste back from Spiti, and dispose it in a big city where some form of waste management or recycling is in place. For me, doing this puts in perspective how much plastic waste I generate, and inspires me to consume less plastic-wrapped junk food!

Encourage your fellow travellers to do all of the above.

I’m hardly an optimist, but even as we overcame apathy from locals, travellers and commercial establishments in Spiti and faced some setbacks, I still felt like everything we do as individuals counts. Every less plastic bottle used and disposed counts. Every voice discouraging their usage counts. Every blog post that urges travellers to switch to eco-friendly alternatives counts. Every responsible travel choice counts.

The team behind “I Love Spiti”.

Do you use plastic bottled water when you travel? What alternatives have you found? Any bright ideas to take the “I Love Spiti” campaign to the next level?

If you have interesting ideas for environment-focussed travel campaigns, drop me a note!

Join me on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook for more responsible travel ideas. Subscribe to my newsletter to receive travel inspiration in your inbox.

Also read:

Why long term travel is more like real life and less like Instagram How responsible tourism can challenge patriarchy in India Sarmoli, Uttarakhand: A Himalayan village where locals run their own Instagram channel

“I Love Spiti” – How Travellers Must Help Save India’s Surreal Himalayan Desert. published first on http://ift.tt/2w0EToM

[vbrahma]

#Repost @shivya (@get_repost) ・・・ Our InstaMeet at 12,000+ feet in Kaza on 8th September was quite a success! And ended in the (not so surprise) unveiling of an art installation we've worked on over the last 3 weeks - a lifesize "I love Spiti" made entirely with discarded plastic bottles, now installed near the Kaza gate / Rangrik bridge as a reminder to every traveller, local and business about the need to say NO to plastic bottles in this eco-sensitive mountain desert. . . We estimate that more than 3,00,000 plastic bottles are dumped in Spiti every season. Burning, burying and reusing them results in harmful chemicals being leeched into the groundwater and soil, and the nearest recycling centre is all the way in Punjab! Instead of drinking "Himalayan" water packaged in the plains, we can refill our bottles with clean, filtered Spitian water (with good minerals) at hotels across Kaza and in homestays in the upper villages. As part of this campaign, we are working with more restaurants and cafes to offer filtered water as well as creating awareness among locals on the ill effects of re-using these cheap plastic bottles to store water / alcohol. . . On a lighter note, after our afternoon of thought-provoking discussions around responsible travel and the inauguration of the installation, our InstaMeet was crashed by the MLA, ADC and their convoy who happened to be driving past 🤠 How often does that happen?! . . A big shoutout to the team @spitiecosphere, fellow volunteers @ibttu @aakashranison and everyone who stopped by to help in the days leading up to the meet, our artist Michael and installation leader Thanpa-ji, and everyone who showed up for the meet... in person and virtually on Instagram! Cliched though it sounds, I really think we can change mindsets and our impact on the places we visit if we continue working together 😇 . . #ilovespiti #theshootingstar #responsibletravel #wim17 #incredibleindia

[mysterioushimachal]

Kinnaur surrounded by the Tibet to the east, in the northeast corner of Himachal Pradesh, about 235 kms from Shimla is a tremendously beautiful district having the three high mountains ranges i.e. Zanskar, Greater Himalayas and Dhauladhar, enclosing valleys of Sutlej, Spiti, Baspa and their tributaries. All the valleys are strikingly beautiful. The slopes are covered with thick wood, orchards, fields and picturesque hamlets. The much religious Shivlinga lies at the Peak of Kinner Kailash Mountain. The beautiful district was opened for the outsiders in 1989. The old Hindustan-Tibet road passes through the Kinnaur valley along the bank of river Sutlej and finally enters Tibet at Shipki La Pass. And it is not only the scenic beauty which appeals to the young and old alike but also the life styles of the people, their culture, heritage, customs and traditions.

Temples & Monastries

Hindu gods being worshipped side by side with Buddhist deities in Buddhist and Hindu temples, especially in Middle Kinnaur. Dabla, one of the major Bön deities, is greatly revered by the Kinners in the area. Folk Hindu gods are also worshipped in Middle and Lower Kinnaur. These include the Durga (locally known as Chandi, Narayan, Vishnu) and many other folk Hindu–animist gods. Folk deities play a major role in the daily life of the Kinners.

Chandika Temple Kothi 

A handsome temple dedicated to goddess Chandika, more especially designated as Shuwang Chandika has spread the fame of village Kothi in greater part of the district. The local people hold the goddess in great reverence and consider her to be one of the most powerful goddess. For want of social contact by the local people with their more advanced and brahmin ridden brethren they have evolved their own peculiar procedure of ritual and worship to this presiding deity. There is an image of gold, seated in an ark. It is danced up and down by four persons at the time of worship.

Mathi Temple at Chhitkul

Mathi is the local goddess of the people of chhitkul having three temples the main one said to have been constructed about five hundred years ago by a resident of Garhwal. The square ark of the goddess is made of walnut wood and is covered with clothes and surmounted by a tuft of yak tail. Two poles called bayanga are inserted into it by means of which it is carried. Her legend goes that she started from Brindavan and passing through Mathura and Badri Nath reached Tibet. Afterward she came to Garhwal, and via Sirmour reached Sarhan in Bushahr and ultimately reached the Barua Khad. Beyond Barua Khad she found the territory divided into seven parts. The deity of Shaung village was Narenas, her nephew. She appointed him to guard the territory.Then she proceeded to Chasu village. There too she appointed the Narenas of Chasu, her nephew as a guard.

Then she visited the Kamru fort where her husband Badri Nath, was a guard of the throne of Bushahr. She further went to Sangla where her another nephew, Barang Nag, was responsible for safeguarding the Rupin Ghati. Thereafter she proceeded to Batseri village, where Badri Nath of Batseri, her husband was responsible for guarding a place named Dhumthan. Thence onward she arrived at Rakchham where Shanshares, yet another nephew was appointed as a guard of Dhumthan. Finally she arrived at Chhitkul and settled there permanently assuming the overall responsibility of safeguarding the seven divisions. After her arrival, people had plenty of food, animals had sufficient grass and the village began to proper. She had also a pujares. In the morning the pujares bring water from the nearby spring and worship goddess by burning incense, while musical instruments are played by Domangs.

Maheshwar Temple at Sungra

The portals of Maheshwar temple of Sungra have superb wood panels on either side. deeply cut images of prominent Hindu deities are a treat for the art historian. On the eastern wall are panels depicting the Vishnu Avatars and the symbol of the Hindu zodiac. The friezes on the eaves are beautiful and the buildings arround the temple courtyard are similarly embellished . A small stone shrine of eighth century stands a short distance from the temple doorway, evidence of the site’s antiquity. The Sungra Maheshwar was once said to have been attacked by an enemy of superhuman strength, often linked to the Pandava hero, Bhima. Bhima hurled a huge boulder at the temple from the mountain tops across the Satluj. The Maheshwar deflected the missile to one side. It now lies close to the road, a short way from the temple and still shelters the alpine flowers found only in the high mountains.

Chango Temples at Chango

Chango Temple

Chango has three temples. In lower Chango, the red walls of Rinchen Zangpo temple stand out atop a little promontory  but contain little of note. Nearby, the village temple, in more regular use as a place of worship, has a large prayer wheel, clay idols and contemporary wall paintings. A large image of Avalokiteshwara, crudely carved in stone, lies on the path between these two shrines. It was found in some out of the way and the monks decided to place it in a temple but the combined strength of many men was insufficient to lift the stone. Then the present location was though. The temple in upper Chango is the best kept but of relatively recent vintage. Close by, a new prayer hall, library and guest rooms are nearing completion. Across the Chango stream, perched above yellow, alkaline cliffs, is an older collection of religious buildings.

Rarang Monastery at Rarang

Just outside Rarang, on the Thopan side is the newly built Monastery of Tashi Choeling. This new monastery has come in the wake of post-1960 Tibetan influences from the Drugpa sect. Close to the monastery are older dwellings and temples, merging into the rugged surface of a rocky mountain side. These older units are traced to Nyingmapa adherents.

Durga Temple at Ropa

There is a Durga temple at Ropa also known as the Chandika temple. Chandika had apportioned to herself this semi-arid tract when she divided Kinnaur amongst her brothers and sisters. Her temple at Ropa, a new structure with a reinforced cement concrete frame, is an architectural malapropism.

Charang Temple

Just beyond Charang is a temple of the eleventh century known as Rangrik Tungma complex. The temple takes its name from the goddess Rangrik Tungma and her small metal image, astride a horse is the oldest at the temple. In all likelihood Rangrik Tungma must have been a pre-Buddhist deity, absorbed into the pantheon of the later religion. Two other bronze statues appear to be of considerable value; a Maitreya seated with legs pendant, in bhadrasana and a Buddha in bhumisparsha mudra. The walls of the main hall are linked with clay idols, in the same style as the mandala in the dukhang at Tabo.

The wall paintings below are old although the wheel of life outside the door has been redone lately. There is also an interesting hoard of ivory and bonehandled knives and daggers at the temple. Many centuries ago, it is said a robber gang from across the Tibetan border raided the temple. The clay images of protective deities at the entrance set up a terrific noise, resembling the thundering hooves of galloping horses. The terrific robbers droped their weapons and took off, running up valley to vanish in the crevasses of the huge glaciers streaming down from the high peaks above.

Brelengi Gompa at Brelengi near Peo

Near Reckong Peo in Brelengi there is a Buddhist Monastery also known as the Brelengi gompa.This is an impressive modern Buddhist edifice. The monastery of Mahabodhi society was constructed specially for the Dalai Lama to perform the Kalachakra ceremony in 1992. Next to the monastery is a 10 meter statue of the standing Buddha, which is visible from a considerable distance.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Mystical Kinnaur – Land of Gods Kinnaur surrounded by the Tibet to the east, in the northeast corner of Himachal Pradesh, about 235 kms from Shimla is a tremendously beautiful district having the three high mountains ranges i.e.

[clearholidaysindia]

Key Monastery, also known as Ki Monastery or Kye Gompa, is one of the most important and picturesque monasteries in the Spiti Valley of Himachal Pradesh, India. Perched on a hilltop at an altitude of about 4,166 meters, this monastery offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. Founded in the 11th century, it is an essential part of the local culture and spiritual life. Visitors are drawn to its rich history and beautiful architecture, which includes colorful murals and intricate sculptures. For those seeking unique experiences, exploring offbeat places near Key Monastery - Ki Monastery (Kye Gompa) can make your trip even more memorable.

When visiting Key Monastery, there are several places to visit near Key Monastery - Ki Monastery (Kye Gompa) that you shouldn't miss. A short drive away is the village of Rangrik, known for its traditional Spitian charm and stunning mountain views. Just a few kilometers from the monastery, you'll also find the Langza Buddha Statue, a majestic figure offering peaceful vistas and a serene atmosphere perfect for reflection. These destinations provide a wonderful mix of cultural exploration and natural beauty, enriching your journey through the Spiti Valley.

Another notable spot is the Chaudua Fossil Center, located relatively close to the Key Monastery. Here, you can explore fascinating fossils and learn about the ancient history of the region. Whether you're interested in the unique landscapes or the rich cultural heritage of the Spiti Valley, these places to visit near Key Monastery - Ki Monastery (Kye Gompa) offer a diverse range of experiences to enhance your travel adventure.

[clearholidaysindia]

Chaudua Fossil Center, nestled in the serene landscapes of Himachal Pradesh, India, stands as a unique testament to the region's ancient history. This center showcases a fascinating array of fossilized remains dating back millions of years, offering visitors a glimpse into the Earth's past. Situated amidst breathtaking natural beauty, the center not only educates but also inspires curiosity about the geological evolution of this picturesque region.

There are several places to visit near Chaudua Fossil Center that enhance the travel experience. Just a short distance away is the picturesque village of Rangrik, known for its traditional Spitian culture and stunning landscapes. Another nearby attraction is the Langza Buddha Statue, which offers serene views and a peaceful setting perfect for reflection. These locations, combined with the fossil center, provide a rich mix of natural beauty and cultural experiences.

Additionally, don't miss the opportunity to visit Key Monastery, a significant spiritual and cultural site located not far from the Chaudua Fossil Center. This monastery is renowned for its beautiful architecture and panoramic views of the surrounding mountains. Exploring these diverse places to visit near Chaudua Fossil Center offers a well-rounded experience, combining historical, cultural, and natural attractions in the heart of the Spiti Valley.