Keylong: A Mix of Virgin Nature And Buddhism

The Hindus regard Trilokinath as Lord Shiva, while the Buddhists regard the image to be that of Avalokiteshwara, the personification of compassion.

Udaipur, also 53 km from here, has an ancient temple dedicated to goddess Durga.

Besides the Rohtang Pass, the world's highest motorable passes that can be reached from here are Baralacha (16,020 ft) and Kunzum (14,931 ft), the gateway to the Spiti Valley from the Lahaul Valley.

The entire Lahaul-Spiti district is populated mainly by tribals. The climatic conditions are harsh as much of the land forms part of a cold desert where the mercury drops below minus 20 degrees Celsius in winter.
Most important local festivals and rituals fall when the villagers are marooned in the snow.

The consumption of 'arah', a local liquor extracted from barley, and 'challo', or gambling, are part of every occasion of the locals.

The staple food here is buckwheat. Barley, wheat and rice are also consumed as well as lots of 'chhang' (locally extracted beer) and salted tea mixed with butter.
The Buddhist-dominated Lahaul-Spiti district attracts globetrotters not only for its nature-based activities but also due to its ancient monasteries.

The district, spread over 13,835 sq km, is a place of remote, untouched beauty with just 31,528 people.

Away from towering concrete blocks, congested roads, screaming traffic and other unpleasant scenes of city life lies the uncluttered retreat where the hills with blue skies stretch out as far as the eye can see.

The entire district has just three petrol stations - one at Tandi in the Lahaul Valley, which is around 100 km from Manali, the second in Kaza in the Spiti Valley and the third in Keylong.