Lahaul and Spiti district, Administrative district in Himachal Pradesh, India
Lahaul and Spiti is an administrative region in Himachal Pradesh, India, that covers wide valleys, mountain villages, and river courses across the western Himalayas. The landscape sits mostly above around 3,050 meters (10,000 feet) and connects two separate valley regions through mountain passes.
The two valleys of Lahaul and Spiti were joined into one administrative territory in 1960, with Keylong chosen as the headquarters of the new district. This merger followed earlier administrative periods under different local rulers and British colonial control.
The district demonstrates a fusion of Buddhist and Hindu traditions through its monasteries, festivals, and local practices, with Bhoti language prevalent among inhabitants.
Roads are usually open from June to October when the Rohtang Pass from Manali becomes passable. In winter, snow and extreme cold make most routes impassable, leaving many settlements isolated from the outside for months.
The district maintains one of India's lowest population densities with only 2 inhabitants per square kilometer, preserving its natural mountain desert environment.
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