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About Keylong |
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Keylong is the
district head quarters of Lahaul and Spiti. At an altitude of
3156 m, Keylong is located on the main trade route between the
Baralacha and Rohtang passes above the Bhaga river. Most of
the government offices are situated at Keylong. This is also
the hub-centre of all commercial activity with a regular
bazaar. Naturally Keylong is the most populated and busy
village of the Lahaul valley. As far as communication
facilities are concerned, there are police and telegraph radio
nets, telephone exchange at Keylong and postal service
throughout the valley. There are three light TV transmitter
has been installed one in Sumnam village, second in Baring &
third in Udaipur. In the past Keylong was home for the
Moravian missionaries.
During summers
Keylong is very green looking remarkable against a backdrop of
snow clad peaks and brown hills. Because of this panoramic
setting Lieut. Col., the Honble C.G. Bruce, M.V.O. likened
Keylong to a barbaric jewel-a roughly cut emerald in a silver
and bronze setting. There can not be a better simile to
describe the lush green charm of Keylong during summer's. "It
is an oasis of green fields and willow planted water courses
that was surrounded by snowy heights and brown hills "There is a P.W.D. rest house, a Tourist Bungalow , a Cricuit House, a
Sainik Rest House, and many hotels which offer accommodation
to the tourists. Several restaurants and eating joints are
also there for every taste.
Kardang,
Sha-Shur and Tayul which are the best known three monasteries
are within a few kms. from this village. Tourists may also
like to visit the temple of the local deity Kelang Wazir in
the house of one Sh. Nawang Dorje.
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Sights and
festivals |
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Keylong faces the
famous Kardang Monastery, the largest and most significant
monastery in Lahaul, of the Drukpa sect of Tibetan Buddhism,
which is on a slope across the river from Keylong.Sights near
Keylong include the Tayul , Shasur and Kardang monasteries, all
within a few kilometres of Keylong. There is also a small temple
devoted to the local deity Kelang Wazir in the house of Shri
Nawang Dorje that may be visited upon arrangement.
The annual Lahaul
Festival is held here each July with a big, busy market and a
number of cultural activities.
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Tourism |
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Keylong is the
district headquarters of Lahaul and Spiti district and is home
to most of the government offices and facilities in Lahaul, and
also hosts a regular bazaar. There are some
tourist facilities including a Circuit House, a Public Works
Department Rest House, a Sainik (Army) Rest House, a Tourist
Bungalow, and a number of small hotels.
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Access |
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Keylong is
accessed from Manali by Manali-Leh Highway, a part of
NH21. It is situated about 125 km (78 mi) north of Manali.
It is located at an altitude of 3,080 m (10,100 ft) and
cut off from the outside world from October-end to mid-May
due to heavy snowfall at Rohtang Pass that closes the pass
during the winter.
The peak
travel season is during May and June when a lot of
tourists visit Rohtang pass. There are enough buses in
summer season from manali. The time taken is 4 to 10 hours
depending upon the condition of the road and traffic jam
that occurs at Beas nallah and Rohtang pass near Marhi. It
is advisable to cross Rohtang pass before 8 am.
After
crossing Rohtang pass 51 km (32 mi) away, one has to
descend almost the same distance that one had to climb
from Manali. After crossing Rohtang, the first village is
Gramphu at 25 km (16 mi) where one has to turn left to go
to Sissu 25 km (16 mi) away, then continue to Tandi 8 km
(5.0 mi) away, and then right to reach Keylong. |
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