Lahaul

Author:Laxman Burdak, IFS (R)

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Lahul (लाहूल) is city located in Lahaul and Spiti district in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh.

Origin

The word Lauhal is derived from the Tibetan word Lho-yul meaning 'Country in the South'. Another meaning of Lahi-yul is 'Country in the gods'.

Variants

• Lahula लाहूल, हि.प्र., (AS, p.817)
• Lahaul
• Lho-yul

History

The Lahaul and Spiti district in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh consists of the two formerly separate districts of Lahaul and Spiti. The present administrative centre is Keylong in Lahaul. Before the two districts were merged, Kardang was the capital of Lahaul, and Dhankar the capital of Spiti. The district was formed in 1960.

Kunzum la or the Kunzum Pass (altitude 4,551 m ) is the entrance pass to the Spiti Valley from Lahaul. It is 21 km from Chandra Tal. This district is connected to Manali through the Rohtang Pass. To the south, Spiti ends 24 km (15 mi) from Tabo, at the Sumdo where the road enters Kinnaur and joins with National Highway No. 5.

The two valleys are quite different in character. Spiti is more barren and difficult to cross, with an average elevation of the valley floor of 4,270 m (14,010 ft). It is enclosed between lofty ranges, with the Spiti river rushing out of a gorge in the southeast to meet the Sutlej River. It is a typical mountain desert area with an average annual rainfall of only 170 mm (6.7 in).[4]

In Mahabharata

Lohita (लॊहित) is mentioned in Mahabharata (II.9.8),(II.24.16),(IX.44.101),

Sabha Parva, Mahabharata/Book II Chapter 9 mentions the Kings Oceans and the Rivers who attended Sabha of Varuna. Lohita (लॊहित) (Naga) is mentioned in Mahabharata (II.9.8). ....And Vasuki and Takshaka, and the Naga called Airavata; Krishna and Lohita; Padma and Chitra endued with great energy;....

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Sabha Parva, Mahabharata/Book II Chapter 24 mentions countries subjugated by Arjuna that lay to the North. Lohita (लॊहित) (Country) is mentioned in Mahabharata (II.24.16). .... Having vanquished in battle the Puru king, as also the robber tribes, of the mountains, the son of Pandu (Arjuna) brought under his sway the seven tribes called Utsava-sanketa. That bull of the Kshatriya race then defeated the brave Kshatriyas of Kashmira and also king Lohita along with ten minor chiefs.

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Shalya Parva, Mahabharata/Book IX Chapter 44 describes the Kings and clans who joined the ceremony for investing Kartikeya with the status of generalissimo. Lohita (लॊहित) is mentioned in Mahabharata (IX.44.101).....Some bore white streaks on their bodies (शवेतलॊहित), and some bore red streaks. Some were of diversified colours and some had golden complexions, and some were endued with splendours like those of the peacock (मयूरसदृशप्रभा).

लाहूल, हि.प्र.

विजयेन्द्र कुमार माथुर ने लेख किया है .....लाहूल (AS, p.817): हिमाचल प्रदेश में स्थित प्राचीन स्थानों में से एक है। महाभारत के समय यह स्थान उत्सवसंकेत अथवा किन्नर देश के अन्तर्गत था। आज भी यहाँ पर प्रचलित विवाह आदि की प्रथाएं प्राचीन काल के विचित्र रीति रिवाजों की ही परंपरा में हैं। कुछ विद्वानों के मत में महाभारत, सभापर्व 27,17 में लाहूल को ही लोहित कहा गया है। लाहूल में 8वीं शती ई. का बना हुआ 'त्रिलोकनाथ का मंदिर' स्थित है। इसमें श्वेत संगमरमर की 3 फुट ऊंची मूर्ति प्रतिष्ठित है। मंदिर की पुस्तिका के लेख के अनुसार त्रिलोकनाथ अथवा बोधिसत्व की इस मूर्ति का प्रतिष्ठान पद्यसंभव नामक एक बौद्ध भिक्षु ने आठवीं शती ई. में किया था। भिक्षु पद्यसंभव ने तिब्बत के राजा के निमंत्रण पर भारत से तिब्बत जाकर बौद्ध धर्म का प्रचार किया था। त्रिलोकनाथ मंदिर को हिन्दू तथा बौद्ध दोनों ही पवित्र मानते हैं। भारत से तिब्बत को जाने वाला प्राचीन मार्ग लाहूल होकर ही जाता है।