When God was creating the earth, he kept a tiny little portion of it hidden for himself. Thousands of years later, humans named it Spiti. Sacred, serene and secret, there is a magical and spellbinding quality about this land. It’s not so much a place as it a #LifeAlteringExperince.
Spiti or #SpitiValley is a cold desert that’s nestled in the upper or Trans #Himalayas. It lies in the north-east part of #HimachalPradesh, bordering #Tibet on one side. In fact, "Spiti" literally means "The Middle Land" and got its name as it lies between India and Tibet.
Spiti still preserves of a supremely distinctive #BuddhistCulture, that is very similar to that found in #Ladakh and Tibet. The people bear the same features, wear similar clothes, celebrate common festivals, eat almost the same food and speak a similar language. They also share the same #HimalayanArchitecture and practice #MahayanaBuddhism. Combined with that they share the most stunning topography is the world. But similarities apart, Spiti remains unparalled in its essence, its spirit, its pristine core and it’s very being.
Spiti has it own distinct and #RuggedLandscape. It’s a marvelous open-air geological museum and natural #FossilPark. The mountains are magnificently huge and humbling, and nature is moody and tempestuous. Yet there is a benign gentleness that ensconces, and there is a strong #chi or life force in the air. There is a sense of deep #spirituality in everything and everyone. Some of the oldest and most spectacular #HimalayanMonasteries quietly and resolutely hang by the rugged cliffs. There’s a strong #EnergyField and a deep silence that makes you hear the hum of the earth, the beating of your heart.
Spiti alters your #consciousness and your worldview. But it’s certainly not a place for everyone. It’s for those of us who truly #LoveNature. Who derive pleasure from simplicity. Who consider #silence and #solitude as a privilege, a blessing. Who see divinity in small things. It’s for seekers and believers. It’s for those who are willing to place themselves in the embrace of nature and all that is divine. It’s where my #SoulSherpa guided me years ago, and it has been my #SpiritualHome ever since.
I wish to welcome you here, and through this blog, share more about this little known magical valley. But I request you to treat this #DelicateEcosystem and amazing old culture with love, kindness, and respect. And when you visit, please don’t leave a footprint. Visit gently, as an observer. Respect traditions. Take it all in. #FeelBlessed by being present in the #MostSpiritualPlaceInTheWorld.
A small footnote: If you love warm weather, multi-lane highways, malls, shopping, crowds, parties and luxury, you will find yourself in the deep waters without a lifeboat. It would be better for you to choose another destination. It’s also not the path to take if you fear bad roads, unpredictable weather, treacherous mountain roads or get mountain sickness. However, if you can work past all these hurdles, rest assured, a trip to Spiti will transport you in to another world. A world where Shangri-La comes to life.
Ke Monastery, Spiti
All Rights Reserved 2014.
