Keylong

BACKGROUND

Keylong is the managerial base camp of Lahaul and Spiti area of Himachal Pradesh. Among the white and earthy coloured mountain in the area, Keylong stands apart as the greenery desert garden in the region. With a hight of 3440 m, it is the most populated spot in Lahaul district. There are around 250 houses, and all administration workplaces exist in the area. This is a significant centre point for Lahaul district as transports to different places start from here. The other extraordinary thing about Keylong is that it is the only place in Lahaul which has an ordinary market, there are no other major markets present in the area. The site is also known for its roads and not in a good way, due to the location of Keylong the roads leading through steep and slippery roads have been significantly dangerous over the years, specific routes know to be so harmful and dangerous that they were featured on the worlds most hazardous roads show.

Keylong is so beautiful that it isn’t considered fit for human beings, that only god is appropriate for a place like this. The people have been dedicated to preserving nature at all costs and teach the same to tourists that visit. This is why Keylong is much cleaner than its neighbouring tourist destination and the Himachal rage.

CULTURE/ FOOD

Keylong has been home to monasteries and temples for a very long time and has been the centre of peace for quite some time now if you need to get away from the busy cities and town life then this the place for you. majority of the people living here are Buddhist and every major festival celebrated in the area have either a monk or a Lama heading it. the festival that stands out the most is the Lahaul festival which is celebrated in the month of July is the most popular amongst the locals. It is also considered the best time to visit the place as experiencing the festival first-hand lets one get the place’s full essence. There are a number of cultural activities organised on the day of the festival.

A visit to Keylong would be considered incomplete is one does not try their authentic Tibetan food served hot or cold on your plate. Tibetan food is a speciality in the region; the hand made noodles with different flavouring from soy sauce and other kinds of broths; they are a truly wonderful sensation for your taste buds.

KEY PLACES

Keylong is a place for worship, and finding one’s inner self, the true nature of the place is art and nature. Similarly, the three most crucial place one must visit when visiting Keylong is the three monasteries or Sha Sur monastery, Tayul and Guru Ghantal. All three offer a beautiful art piece, which is an absolute treat to one’s eyes. The details and story behind each art piece are so deep and pleasing that it is enough to motivate an individual to become an artist. Gondola castle Is another major attraction of the place, an architectural marvel, with enough space for 100 people with Ganesh seeming to be the deity that they prayed to as his statue has been carved on the wall. It has a separate chamber where all those weapons used in the olden days are still kept intact. Although there is some controversy around when it was built, the government claims that it was built in the 1700s. Ghemru monastery is famous for its dance and drama which would be considered a bit unusual from a monastery, but make no mistake in executing these works of art spots in with great storytelling and fantastic use of expressions and costumes.

POPULAR SHOPPING ITEMS

Keylong doesn’t have a lot of offer in this department, as it is on the same altitude and is usually cold throughout the year, Shawls and other locally made woollens have quite a lot of customers. Olives and almonds are also quite popular in the area as they tend to have a slightly better taste than what you would usually get. Metal and Bamboo is also something that is of excellent quality in Keylong, products are of very high quality and are readily available in a significant market, as Keylong has the only primary market in the area; most of these things can easily be acquired at one location.

BEST TIME TO VISIT

October and November are considered the best time to visit Keylong. The weather at night during February can drop down to 22°C, which is ideal for tourists coming from hot places such. As Delhi. Although if your someone who enjoys longer days then June is also an excellent option to travel Keylong as the days are the longest.

AVAILABILITY OF ACCOMMODATION

There is an abundance of hotels and bungalows for people to stay in, Airbnbs are also available in Keylong. The place isn’t costly, and people with all kinds of budgets can come and stay comfortably.