Kaza, also spelled Kaze, Karze, Karzey, is a town and the subdivisional headquarters of the remote Spiti Valley in the western Himalayas in the Lahaul and Spiti district of the northernIndianstate of Himachal Pradesh. Spiti is a high altitude or cold desert having close similarities to the neighbouring Tibet and Ladakh regions in terms of terrain, climate and the Buddhist culture. Kaza, situated along the Spiti River at an elevation of 3,650 m (11,980 ft) above mean sea level, is the largest township and commercial center of the Spiti valley.
The town is divided into the old, as Kaza Khas and new as Kaza Soma sections. The new town contains the administrative buildings. The Tangyud (Tang-rGyud) Gompa dates to the early 14th century and is built like a fortified castle with massive slanted mud walls and battlements with vertical red ochre and white vertical stripes. It is on the edge of a deep canyon and overlooking the town of Kaza, 4 km from the town.[1][2] Approaching it from the south one sees Kyu-ling (Skyid-gling), the stately palace of the Nono (king) on the other side of the river.[3]
Access
Kaza is overlooked by high mountain ridges on the NE and SW sides. The Spiti River runs from NW to SE past Kaza. Kaza has two access routes: one from Kinnaur valley and the other from the Lahaul valley. The route via NH 505 through Kinnaur is open throughout the year, except for occasional short periods resulting from landslides or heavy snowfall. This road, starting from Shimla, follows the Sutlej river unto a little beyond Poo, thereafter turning northwards to follow the Spiti river all the way to Kaza. The other road starts from Manali and after crossing the 13,090 ft (3,990 m) high Rohtang Pass to reach Gramphoo where it joins the road from Keylong and proceeds south along Chandra River till Batal then climbs up to cross the 14,928 ft (4,550 m) high Kunzum pass, enters the Spiti valley to reach Kaza. It remains closed during winter months, normally from October end to June due to heavy snowfall on both the passes.[4]Kaza is one of the coldest towns in India. The temperature varies greatly in different seasons as well as within a day. January is the coldest month of the year with an average temperature of -25 °C, while July is the hottest month with an average temperature of 10 °C.[citation needed]
Festivals and tourism
Kaza is known for its colorful festivals and the ruins of the ancient Sakya Tangyud Monastery, located near village Komik,14 km from Kaza. It is also popular with tourists and adventure seekers during the period of June, July and August and September because of its central location and connections to the rest of the valley (Connects to Leh-Manali Highway via Kunzum Pass). This central location also makes Kaza an ideal base camp for trekking, mountaineering, and tours directed to other parts of the valley.
The prominent festivals celebrated in Kaza are Ladarcha (mid-August), Spiti Losar (around November), and Dachang (around February). Kaza's Ladarcha fair is the most renowned fair of Kaza; it indicates the termination of summer season in the region.
Previously, Ladarcha fair used to be celebrated in Kibbar maidan in Spit in the month of July where traders from Ladakh, Rampur Busher and Spiti meet in this fair to barter their produce. Due to closure of Tibetan traders, this fair is now being celebrated at Kaza, the headquarters of Spiti Sub Division in the 3rd week of August. A large number of visitors and traders from Kullu/ Lahaul/ Kinnaur meet there. It has now become a conference of cultures of Spiti, Ladakh & Kinnaur as also of the Indian plains.
The highest post office in the world at Hikkim village (PIN 172114) at an elevation of 4,400 m (14,400 ft) is situated 46 km (29 mi) from Kaza. It sends postal letters to and receives postal articles from Kaza post office.[5][6]
Monasteries
Sakya Monastery, Kaza
Sakya Tangyud monastery; built in the year 2009, Sakya Tangyud monastery is situated in Kaza town of Spiti Valley. Key (Ki) Monastery was built by Dromton, a student of the renowned instructor, Atisha, in the eleventh century and is located at a height of 4,166 m (13,668 ft) about 12 km (7.5 mi) north of Kaza town.
Facilities
Community Health Centre, Kaza, 2004
Petrol bunk at Kaza
In 2022, the Himachal Pradesh government constructed an indoor gym at a cost of Rs. 10 lakhs (1 million). With development of the region over the past few years, local residents get less physical activity. They report that lifestyle diseases such as heart diseases, blood pressure and diabetes have made an appearance. The gym is expected to provide an alternative over addition to gadgets and drugs for the youth. Tourists may also use the gym to adapt to high-altitude. The gym is said to be the highest in the world, though this is yet to be verified.[7]
The only petrol bunk in Spiti is located in Kaza. The town has a Community Health Centre and a Police Station. Mobile internet services are provided by BSNL, Airtel 4G and Jio 4G.[8]
Rangrik airbase
Thr Indian Military is constructing an airbase at Rangrik (7 km northwest of Kaza & 100 km west of Kaurik on LAC) in Spiti valley which will also cater for the civilian flights. It was announced in the January 2023, and it will be completed by end of 2024. [9]
NH505 connects Kaza to Manali in southwest, and Kaurik, Sumdo, Pooh & Tabo in east. Kaza-Pooh-Tabo-Shimla route is open whole year, but the Manali-Kaza route is closed for 7 winter months every year during which Kunzum Pass (15,000 ft) is closed. NHAI is planning to construct a tunnel under the Kunzum Pass to provide all-weather connectivity between Manali and Spiti valley.[10]
^. Himachal Tourism. Archived from the original on 6 December 2011. Retrieved 13 February 2009.
^"The world's highest post office". from the original on 29 August 2018. Retrieved 28 August 2018.
^"The world's highest post office!". Rediff News. India. 20 September 2007. from the original on 22 July 2011. Retrieved 28 August 2018.
^Bisht, Gaurav (16 July 2022). "Himachal govt sets up highest gym at Kaza in Spiti valley". Hindustan Times. from the original on 18 July 2022. Retrieved 18 July 2022.
^"Government of Himachal Pradesh, District Lahaul and Spiti: Facilities". from the original on 7 October 2022. Retrieved 18 July 2022.
^To counter China, Nyoma airfield in Ladakh to be full-fledged base in 2 years 25 January 2023 at the Wayback Machine, The Tribune, 5 Jan 2023.
^Rs 200 cr for Sumdoh-Gramphu road 25 January 2023 at the Wayback Machine, The Tribune, 14 June 2020.
Francke, A. H. (1914, 1926). Antiquities of Indian Tibet. Two Volumes. Calcutta. 1972 reprint: S. Chand, New Delhi.
Handa, O. C. (1987). Buddhist Monasteries in Himachal Pradesh. Indus Publishing Company, New Delhi. ISBN978-81-85182-03-2.
Kapadia, Harish. (1999). Spiti: Adventures in the Trans-Himalaya. Second Edition. (1st edition 1996). Indus Publishing Company, New Delhi. ISBN81-7387-093-4.
External links
Kaza travel guide from Wikivoyage
Kaza Hill Station
Kaza:A complete travel guide
April 13, 2023
kaza, himachal, pradesh, kaza, also, spelled, kaze, karze, karzey, town, subdivisional, headquarters, remote, spiti, valley, western, himalayas, lahaul, spiti, district, northern, indian, state, himachal, pradesh, spiti, high, altitude, cold, desert, having, c. Kaza also spelled Kaze Karze Karzey is a town and the subdivisional headquarters of the remote Spiti Valley in the western Himalayas in the Lahaul and Spiti district of the northern Indian state of Himachal Pradesh Spiti is a high altitude or cold desert having close similarities to the neighbouring Tibet and Ladakh regions in terms of terrain climate and the Buddhist culture Kaza situated along the Spiti River at an elevation of 3 650 m 11 980 ft above mean sea level is the largest township and commercial center of the Spiti valley Kaza Himachal Pradesh KazaKarze or KarzeytownKaza Losar Entry GateKaza Himachal PradeshLocation in Himachal Pradesh IndiaCoordinates 32 13 32 N 78 04 17 E 32 22556 N 78 07139 E 32 22556 78 07139 Coordinates 32 13 32 N 78 04 17 E 32 22556 N 78 07139 E 32 22556 78 07139Country IndiaStateHimachal PradeshDistrictLahaul and SpitiElevation3 800 m 12 500 ft Population Total3 231Languages OfficialHindiTime zoneUTC 5 30 IST PIN172114Telephone code01906 STD codeVehicle registrationH P 41Sex ratio974 Downtown Kaza Family at home with visitors Kaza 2004 Contents 1 Description 2 Access 3 Festivals and tourism 4 Monasteries 5 Facilities 6 Rangrik airbase 7 Highways 8 See also 9 References 10 Bibliography 11 External linksDescription EditThe town is divided into the old as KazaKhas and new as Kaza Soma sections The new town contains the administrative buildings The Tangyud Tang rGyud Gompa dates to the early 14th century and is built like a fortified castle with massive slanted mud walls and battlements with vertical red ochre and white vertical stripes It is on the edge of a deep canyon and overlooking the town of Kaza 4 km from the town 1 2 Approaching it from the south one sees Kyu ling Skyid gling the stately palace of the Nono king on the other side of the river 3 Access EditKaza is overlooked by high mountain ridges on the NE and SW sides The Spiti River runs from NW to SE past Kaza Kaza has two access routes one from Kinnaur valley and the other from the Lahaul valley The route via NH 505 through Kinnaur is open throughout the year except for occasional short periods resulting from landslides or heavy snowfall This road starting from Shimla follows the Sutlej river unto a little beyond Poo thereafter turning northwards to follow the Spiti river all the way to Kaza The other road starts from Manali and after crossing the 13 090 ft 3 990 m high Rohtang Pass to reach Gramphoo where it joins the road from Keylong and proceeds south along Chandra River till Batal then climbs up to cross the 14 928 ft 4 550 m high Kunzum pass enters the Spiti valley to reach Kaza It remains closed during winter months normally from October end to June due to heavy snowfall on both the passes 4 Kaza is one of the coldest towns in India The temperature varies greatly in different seasons as well as within a day January is the coldest month of the year with an average temperature of 25 C while July is the hottest month with an average temperature of 10 C citation needed Festivals and tourism EditKaza is known for its colorful festivals and the ruins of the ancient Sakya Tangyud Monastery located near village Komik 14 km from Kaza It is also popular with tourists and adventure seekers during the period of June July and August and September because of its central location and connections to the rest of the valley Connects to Leh Manali Highway via Kunzum Pass This central location also makes Kaza an ideal base camp for trekking mountaineering and tours directed to other parts of the valley The prominent festivals celebrated in Kaza are Ladarcha mid August Spiti Losar around November and Dachang around February Kaza s Ladarcha fair is the most renowned fair of Kaza it indicates the termination of summer season in the region Previously Ladarcha fair used to be celebrated in Kibbar maidan in Spit in the month of July where traders from Ladakh Rampur Busher and Spiti meet in this fair to barter their produce Due to closure of Tibetan traders this fair is now being celebrated at Kaza the headquarters of Spiti Sub Division in the 3rd week of August A large number of visitors and traders from Kullu Lahaul Kinnaur meet there It has now become a conference of cultures of Spiti Ladakh amp Kinnaur as also of the Indian plains The highest post office in the world at Hikkim village PIN 172114 at an elevation of 4 400 m 14 400 ft is situated 46 km 29 mi from Kaza It sends postal letters to and receives postal articles from Kaza post office 5 6 Monasteries Edit Sakya Monastery Kaza Sakya Tangyud monastery built in the year 2009 Sakya Tangyud monastery is situated in Kaza town of Spiti Valley Key Ki Monastery was built by Dromton a student of the renowned instructor Atisha in the eleventh century and is located at a height of 4 166 m 13 668 ft about 12 km 7 5 mi north of Kaza town Facilities Edit Community Health Centre Kaza 2004 Petrol bunk at Kaza In 2022 the Himachal Pradesh government constructed an indoor gym at a cost of Rs 10 lakhs 1 million With development of the region over the past few years local residents get less physical activity They report that lifestyle diseases such as heart diseases blood pressure and diabetes have made an appearance The gym is expected to provide an alternative over addition to gadgets and drugs for the youth Tourists may also use the gym to adapt to high altitude The gym is said to be the highest in the world though this is yet to be verified 7 The only petrol bunk in Spiti is located in Kaza The town has a Community Health Centre and a Police Station Mobile internet services are provided by BSNL Airtel 4G and Jio 4G 8 Rangrik airbase EditThr Indian Military is constructing an airbase at Rangrik 7 km northwest of Kaza amp 100 km west of Kaurik on LAC in Spiti valley which will also cater for the civilian flights It was announced in the January 2023 and it will be completed by end of 2024 9 Highways EditHanle Kaza Tabo Road is being construction by the BRO under Indo China Border Roads ICBR scheme NH505 connects Kaza to Manali in southwest and Kaurik Sumdo Pooh amp Tabo in east Kaza Pooh Tabo Shimla route is open whole year but the Manali Kaza route is closed for 7 winter months every year during which Kunzum Pass 15 000 ft is closed NHAI is planning to construct a tunnel under the Kunzum Pass to provide all weather connectivity between Manali and Spiti valley 10 See also EditIndo China Border RoadsReferences Edit Wikimedia Commons has media related to Kaza Spiti Handa 1987 pp 83 85 Kapadia 1999 p 204 Francke 1914 p 44 Lahaul amp Spiti land of lamas OR little Tibet OR Country of the gods OR The Land of haunting and unforgettable beauty Himachal Tourism Archived from the original on 6 December 2011 Retrieved 13 February 2009 The world s highest post office Archived from the original on 29 August 2018 Retrieved 28 August 2018 The world s highest post office Rediff News India 20 September 2007 Archived from the original on 22 July 2011 Retrieved 28 August 2018 Bisht Gaurav 16 July 2022 Himachal govt sets up highest gym at Kaza in Spiti valley Hindustan Times Archived from the original on 18 July 2022 Retrieved 18 July 2022 Government of Himachal Pradesh District Lahaul and Spiti Facilities Archived from the original on 7 October 2022 Retrieved 18 July 2022 To counter China Nyoma airfield in Ladakh to be full fledged base in 2 years Archived 25 January 2023 at the Wayback Machine The Tribune 5 Jan 2023 Rs 200 cr for Sumdoh Gramphu road Archived 25 January 2023 at the Wayback Machine The Tribune 14 June 2020 Bibliography EditCiliberto Jonathan 2013 Six Weeks in the Spiti Valley Circle B Press 2013 Atlanta ISBN 978 0 9659336 6 7 Francke A H 1914 1926 Antiquities of Indian Tibet Two Volumes Calcutta 1972 reprint S Chand New Delhi Handa O C 1987 Buddhist Monasteries in Himachal Pradesh Indus Publishing Company New Delhi ISBN 978 81 85182 03 2 Kapadia Harish 1999 Spiti Adventures in the Trans Himalaya Second Edition 1st edition 1996 Indus Publishing Company New Delhi ISBN 81 7387 093 4 External links Edit Kaza travel guide from Wikivoyage Spiti Tourist Places Kaza Hill Station Parasol Retreat KAZA Kaza A complete travel guide Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Kaza Himachal Pradesh amp oldid 1149585012, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
