Keylong, Himachal Pradesh – The valley, river, and the lofty mountain range together with the green landscape make it a charming destination
The administrative headquarters of Lahaul and Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh, Keylong is situated at an altitude of 3350 m. After crossing the cool, rough and rugged desert the place of Keylong seems to be the “oasis of desert” with the forest of Poplar and Willow trees. Rudyard Kipling, the famous author rightly said that “it is surely the God live here; this is not the place for men.” The valley, river, and the lofty mountain range together-with the green landscape make Keylong a charming destination.
Places to see in Keylong: Keylong is an exotic hill station with varied sight seeing spots. These include:
The Lady of Keylong Himachal
The Lady of Keylong glacier is a very popular attraction in Keylong. This spectacular glacier was named by ‘Lady Elashainghday’ at the time of British rule. It is located at an altitude of about 6,061 meters. It remains snow covered throughout the year. But in the middle, there is a dark bare patch visible which looks like the figure of a woman, walking with a load on her back. It is also recorded as ‘Lady of Keylong’ by the geological survey team of India.
Khardong Monastery
It is a 200 years old monastery. The head Lama here is called ‘Narbo’. The monastery has an architectural and sculptural style typical of ‘Lahaul and Spiti’. One of the most revered places of the Durga-Pa Sect, the monastery has a large library of Kangyur and Tangyur volumes of Buddhist scriptures in Bhoti and a huge storeroom where you will find some exquisite thangka paintings, musical instruments such as lutes, drums, horns and old weapons. The frescoes are colorful and the murals fascinating. This monastery has a huge prayer drum containing strips of paper upon which is the sacred mantra ‘Om Mani Padme Hum’. This mantra has been written a million times.
Tandi
8 km, short of Keylong, on the Manali – Leh Raod, situated on the confluence of Chandra & Bhaga rivers. Last point to tank up if traveling north of Keylong as it has the last fuel station on this stretch.
Sissu
On the bank of Chandra, 15 km from Koksar, every spring and autumn wild geese and ducks halt here on their way to and from Siberia.
Gondla (3110m)
18 km from Keylong on the right bank of river Chandra. Famous for ancient Fort.
Udaipur
53 km from Keylong, home of the Mrikula Devi Temple, which is famous for wood carvings.
Triloknath (2660m)
4 km from Udaipur famous for Triloknath temple. Sacred both for HIndu and Buddhist.
Gemur Monastery
Just 8km from Keylong, Gemur Monastery is a Buddhist Monastery, 600 to 700 yards above the village of Gemur, Kullu district, Himachal Pradesh, northern India. It is located 38 kilometres from Manali. The Monastery is around 700 years old. It contains a sculpture of the Goddess ‘Marichi Vajravarahi’ which dates back to the 11th century AD. The ‘Devil dance’ is carried out in the month of July. The Monastery also contains ancient Buddhist miniature paintings, wall paintings, Stupas, Statues and Buddhist artifacts.
Guru Ghantal monastery
The oldest monastery in Lahaul area, it is located eight kms. from Keylong.
Shaspur Monastery
The Monastery is situated on a hill 3 kms. away from Keylong. It is famous for the paintings of the history of the 84 Buddhas and the devil dance of the Lamas in June / July that originated in the 17th century.
Nearby attractions from Keylong: While in Keylong, you must visit:
Baralacha La Pass
Baralacha La means the pass where many roads meet. The pass connects Lahaul in Himachal Pradesh to Ladakh in Jammu and Kashmir. The Baralacha La is better described as a plateau where three mountain ranges meet (Pir Panjal, Zanskar and the Himalayas). The Baralacha La towers over three valleys that meet at a height of over 16,000 ft.
Darcha
Situated at an altitude of 3360 metres, this is a camping ground for trekkers. It is 24 kms. from Keylong on the Leh road.
Things to do at Keylong: Trekking, Hiking, bird watching, rock climbing, skiing and fishing, Keylong is the suitable base for all these activities.
Best time to visit Keylong: Mid May to mid October is the best time to visit Keylong.
How to go ?
By Air
There are airports at Manali and Shimla (375 kms.) and Bhuntar Airport in Kullu.
By Rail
The nearest railway stations are at Jogindernagar, Shimla and Chandigarh.
By Road
Keylong is 126 kms. north of Manali. The place is just 120 kms. from the Indo-Tibetan border. There is sufficient number of buses from Manali to Keylong during the summer season.
Where to stay ?
Keylong offers an array of accommodation options. Some options are:
The Chanderbhaga: +91–01900 – 222247, 222393
Hotel Deykith: +91- 094 18 157650
Hotel Deluge: +91- 094 18 063677
Note : Phone numbers given above are according to the information available with us. If you find any contact number/s given above is/are incorrect or not in use, please let us know.
