iDemystify | The Spitian Enigma

If I recall this correctly then the first time I’d heard about Spiti was when I’d travelled to Manali with family about four years ago.

Lahaul – Spiti is how they spoke of it.
Land beyond the already breath-taking Manali with its pines and snow-capped mountains; and far beyond even the tourist ridden Rohtang Pass.

Four years later, in what seems like a random placement of events (i.e. where Spiti wasnt even under consideration to begin with), I found myself packing my bags to travel to this still relatively unheard of place.

“Spiti? Where’s that?” they’d asked; every single one of them with the exception of a select few. Spiti, I’d heard myself say, is Ladakh’s lesser known sibling.

And for someone who’d already travelled to Ladakh twice before, charmed and mesmerized with the picaresque-ness of the place that was a desert at an altitude, Spiti would be similar, I’d thought to myself (what with the images found all over the internet alluding to the same notion).

Spiti translates to “middle land” and is quite similar to Ladakh in terrain and climate, although it’s a lot more greener. It is accessible from Manali (through the world’s worst road - I can and will testify to this in my next post) and Shimla (through the world’s most dangerous road) between the months of April-May until October-November.
People in Spiti are followers of Tibetan Buddhism and it’s no surprise that you’ll chance upon a monastery – some dating back to more than a couple of hundred years ago – around every cliff in the Valley. Legend has it that one of the earliest monasteries to be built is going to be the last one to fall - even though as you read this it's currently pegged as being one of the most dangerous structures in the world given its precarious and delicate situation!

Villages in Spiti are sparsely populated with some as little as 3 people (Kalamurti). The average population seemed to hover between 30 - 50 and the maximum I came across was 67 (Fukchung). The total population of Spiti however is just about 10500.

In spite of its resemblance to Ladakh in every sense of the term I realised that I couldn’t shake the vibe I seemed to have caught from Spiti…
Where Ladakh was welcoming and warm despite the aridness, Spiti seemed aloof and hostile. And where Ladakh wowed you with the sheer magnificence of its imposing mountain ranges, Spiti couldn’t seem to be bothered whether you were wowed or not.

And as ironical as this may seem, the local people have been ever so gracious and hospitable in both Ladakh and Spiti ensuring that whoever shows up at their doorstep (even unannounced) is treated well (read: fed and kept warm under a roof).

If there ever were a fable of Ladakh and Spiti it'd be this: Once upon a time, two siblings were separated at birth. One of them was picked up by the gods and grew up to love and be loved by everyone. The second wasn't as fortunate and grew up among mere mortals therefore never knowing or experiencing kindness and warmth!

Anyone who has visited both places will be able to tell this difference. 

Spiti does turn out to be a lesser tamed version of Ladakh - the unruly kid who neither got its way nor buckled under pressure to conform.

In the past week, I've been tried and in return Spiti has been tested. Fun has been had albeit in a very twisted sense. More deets to follow shortly.

So for now to whet your appetite on the mystery that is Spiti, here are a few of my clicks -- 

Continues with iDemystify | En route Spiti with Murphy...