KALPA

 

LOCATION: Kalpa village, formerly Chini Village, is situated at a distance of 13 KM and about 770 M higher altitude from Recong Peo, the District HQ of Kinnaur District and 250 KM from Shimla. The National Highway No. 22 (NH-22) runs eastward from Shimla area along the River Sutlej and connects Kaza on the North-Eastern fringe of Himachal Pradesh. After crossing Rampur, Tapri, Karcham, leave the NH-22 at Powari and move upward along the road which goes to Kalpa via Recong Peo through the Pine, Deodars and apple orchard and meets with the ancient Hindustan Tibet Road at Kalpa. While traveling from Recong Peo to Kalpa, one can feel that heaven is not far off. There is another short route from Tapri which connects Tapri with Kalpa, Pangi, Puh, etc. and this road was the Hindustan Tibet Trade route and quite dangerous, so normally this road is not kept open to traffic in general due to narrowness, steep gradient, etc. However, it is used as an alternate route in case of any emergency. The distances from Kalpa to Tapri is 26, Sangla 52. The place is accessible throughout the year despite heavy snow fall during January, the road is regularly cleaned and kept motorable. Click here for Road Map. Kalpa map

 

The massive snow clad ranges that provide a regal dignity to the scene are dominated by the peak of Kinner Kailash. Kalpa is one of the biggest and beautiful villages of Kinnaur.  One can enter Kinnaur district via Rampur, Jeori after crossing Badhal village and follow a straight line road constructed in vertical rock. It is a rare treat to travel on this road which is a great engineering feat.

 

GENERAL DESCRIPTION: Kalpa situated at an altitude of 2950 M from mean-sea-level and deep in the Himalayan Mountain remains cool throughout the year. It receives snow during the months from October to May. The heavy snow covers the entire area in the months of Jan-March. The village was possibly the meeting point of the traders from Hindustan and Tibet in ancient time. Mythological the place is believed to be the winter abode of Lord Shiva. The village once the District Head Quarter of Kinnaur District (presently at Recong Peo) is now a heritage village. The river Sutlej flows through the deep gorge from north to south below Kalpa. On the eastern slope there is Kinner Kailash, Jorkhandain and Raldang peaks and Kalpa is on the Western slope. The average temperature of Kalpa area in Degree Celsius is given below:

 

	Jan	Feb.	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Max.	1	4.1	8.9	14.	20	24	22.2	19.7	20	18	13.5	5.2
Min.	-5.6	-3.5	-0.5	2.6	7.9	11	13	12	10	4.5	1.7	-2.5

The majority of local people are economically affluent due to high income from good quality apple grown in that area. But their total dependence of apple production is also a great concern. Moreover, the people's habit of simple living, honesty and hospitality are worth mentioning. The area is rich in exotic fruits viz. very high quality of apple(Royal, Red), golden apple, grapes, walnut, almonds, different varieties of peach & apricot, chiljoza (nut of neoza pine), kiwi fruits, etc. Almost every house brew a small quantity of wine from apple, apricot, grapes, etc. for their own consumption and worshipping.

 

Folk architecture: In Kinnaur, the use of local slate for slant roofing at the top with clay for flat roofing underneath is a typical example of folk architectural patterns over the years. The flat roofs are made with the wooden beams and bark of birch tree (Bhojpatra) which serve as waterproof sheets and are laid in one or two layers over the wooden planks covered with beaten earth smoothed into a flat surface. The lower part of the house is used for cattle and the upper one serves as dwelling place of the family.

 

TRANSPORT: Kalpa is directly connected by the road transport from Chandigarh and Shimla. 6.45 AM bus to Shimla takes about 10 hrs. and 10.30 AM & 2.30 PM bus reaches Chandigarh in 12 hrs. Although, Kalpa has a small bus stand in the village, the main Bus Stand (Ph: 01786-222444) is situated at Recong Peo. All the buses starting from Kalpa touches Recong Peo. The Deluxe bus starts from Chandigarh Inter State Bus Terminus at Sec 17 at 5.55 AM and reaches Recong Peo (via Kalka,Shimla, Rampur) at about 8.00 PM. For return journey, it starts from Recong Peo at 6.15 AM and reaches Shimla at 4 PM, then Chandigarh at 9 PM via Kalka (8 PM). The major bus timings from Recong Peo are: Sangla at 9.30, 16,00; Jeori at every half an hour; Kaza: 7.30; Hardwar 6.00,Nako 13.00; Chango 12.00; Delhi 10.30; Chandigarh 5.30, 6.15 (Deluxe), 10.30, 15.30; Kalka 5.30,7.00, 10.30, 15.30;Kullu 4.15, Manali 7.00, Shimla 4.15, 5.30, 7.00, 7.45, 8.30, 9.30, 10,30, The timings are given for some ideas about frequency of bus service. However, the travelers are requested to check current timings from the Bus office.

The private taxis are plenty available from the taxi stand at the market area of Recong Peo, not from the Bus stand area. The tourists for Kalpa traveling by Chandigarh-Recong Peo Deluxe Bus are to alight at the taxi stand and book a taxi for coming to Kalpa. The fare is Rs. 200/- full vehicle. In day time, tourists can avail of local mini bus against a fare of Rs 8/- per head from Peo to Kalpa. The full size buses ply between R Peo to Roghi village via Kalpa 3 time a day. The bus/mini-bus serve are not available after 5 PM.

 

Places of interest: It is place of peace and tranquility. The village is surrounded by snow covered mountains and apple orchard, pine, deodars trees on the ground. To the south of Kalpa lie the dense forest, the paradise for the bird watchers. One can see different types of Himalayan birds. Many animals viz. grey bear, snow leopard, deer, etc are sometimes visible. A 65 ft vertical rock piece standing by the side of Kinner Kailash peak is worshipped by Hindus as 'Shivalinga'. One can trek to the Shivalinga (5500 M) and return to Kalpa in 3 days. There is no need to carry tents since the natural caves serve as shelter for the nights. The Shivalinga is clearly visible from Kalpa. It changes colour several times during the sun-shine hours of the day. The dazzling peak which breaks the sunrays into the spectrum of rainbow throughout the day is of spectacular delight. The silhouette view of the mountain range with silver lining during sun rise and colours like fire in the sky during sunset mesmerizes the viewers.

 

Perhaps the deepest and steepest incline in the world is situated at a distance of 2 Km walk along the Hindustan-Tibet Road. The River Sutlej is visible flowing through the deep gorge like a fine thread from such a great height. The age old Nagin Narayan Temple and a Buddhist Monastery (Hu-Bu-Ian-Car Gompha) standing side by side at Kalpa indicates the people's religious bondage.

From Kalpa as base station, the tourists can also visit Nako, Sangla/Chitkul and Kafnu in one day each instead of spending nights at all places.

 

RECONG PEO (2670M): Located 240 km from Shimla, 7 km from Powari and 13 km from Kalpa.  Recong Peo is the headquarter of district Kinnaur.

KOTHI: Just 3 km from Recong Peo. Kothi has a temple dedicated to the goddess Chanadika Devi. Set against a backdrop of mountains and graves of the deodar the temple has an unusual architectural style and fine sculpture.  An exquisite gold image of goddess is enshrined in sanctum.

SANGLA VALLEY: If a landscape had the powers of casting spells, then the Sangla valley would be a magician extraordinary. Once seen, it is a place that can never be forgotten. Even the rushing waters of the Baspa river, that flow through its 95 km length, seem to absorb some of the magic and slow down to savor its snow-frame beauty. 2 km from Sangla is the fort of Kamru (300 m) its tower like architecture resembles that of the Bhima Kali complex and this was the origin of rulers of Bushehar. Chitkul (3450 m) is the last village of the valley and beyond lies Tibet.

RIBA (2745M): Just 18 km from Powari on NH-22 is famous for its vineyards and local wine 'Angoori' made from grapes.

JANGI: 26 km from Powari, the inner border is located here beyond which foreigners require permit to travel up to Tabo.   From this point the famous Kinner Kailash Parikarama Trek starts touching Morang, Thangi and Kunocharang villages and entering Chitkul village in Sangla Valley.

PUH (2837m): Lush green fields, orchards of apricot, almond trees and vineyards, are to be seen on route to Puh.   Just 58 km from Powari along the NH-22, Puh has rest house and basic hotel facilities.

NAKO (3662m): 117 km from Kalpa. In Hangrang Valley is the largest village above sea level. It is also famous for Nako Lake which has boating facilities in summer and during winter its frozen surface is used for ice skating.  Buddhist monastery is located here.

TABO (3050m): 163 km from Kalpa and 27 km from Sando the ancient village, Tabo is situated on the left bank of river Spiti.   Flanked on either side by hills, it is one of the most important Buddhist monasteries regarded by many as only next to the Tholing Gompa in Tibet.  It is also known as the Ajanta of the Himalayas. Tabo is the largest monastic complex of Spiti which has since been declared a protected monument under the Archaeological Survey of India.

KAZA (3600m): 210 km from Kalpa 47 from Tabo. The headquarters of Spiti sub-district, Kaza is on the bank of river Spiti.  In earlier times, it was the capital of Nono, the chief of Spiti.  It has a Buddhist Monastery and Hindu Temple.

KEY GOMPA (4116m): 7 km from Kaza. The largest monastery in Spiti Valley. Established in the 11th century, it has ancient Buddhist scrolls and paintings.  Also houses the largest number of Buddhist monks and nuns.

KIBBER (4205 m): 18 km from Kaza. The highest village in the world which is connected by a motorable road and also the highest village in the world which has its own polling station during elections.

KUNZAM PASS (4551m): 76 km: One of the highest motorable passes. Goddess Kunjum keeps guard over the pass and wards of the evil.

 

Special mention: A place for peace, rest and recuperation besides its charming beauty and tranquility.