Kunnu & Charang - A glimpse into the Himalayan hinterland

Tripoto
Photo of Kunnu & Charang - A glimpse into the Himalayan hinterland 1/1 by Sonu Negi
Tidong stream 

Charang is a remote hamlet nestled in shadows of the Greater Himalayan peaks like Phawrang (6050m) and Beshrang along Indo - China border. Charang & Kunnu(altitude 3400 mtrs )offers a delightful blend of spiritualism, culture and surreal trans Himalayan landscape with its Rangrik Tungma monastery, many chortens, and twin villages Kunnu & Charang — last villages on Indo-Tibet border — far from madding crowd with no internet and mobile network.  

Tidong stream. The green oasis in barren cold desert is Kunnu village. It lies on right bank of Tidong Nallah(stream). 

Photo of Charang Khas, Himachal Pradesh, India by Sonu Negi

Ladies from Charang village of Kinnaur.

Photo of Charang Khas, Himachal Pradesh, India by Sonu Negi

Pea fields of Charang villagers 

Photo of Charang Khas, Himachal Pradesh, India by Sonu Negi

A french traveller. 

Photo of Charang Khas, Himachal Pradesh, India by Sonu Negi

Ladies of Charang village

Photo of Charang Khas, Himachal Pradesh, India by Sonu Negi

French again.

Photo of Charang Khas, Himachal Pradesh, India by Sonu Negi

Kunnu village

Photo of Charang Khas, Himachal Pradesh, India by Sonu Negi

French travellers

Photo of Charang Khas, Himachal Pradesh, India by Sonu Negi

Rangrik Tungma monastery. 

Photo of Charang Khas, Himachal Pradesh, India by Sonu Negi

Goverment school Charang. Who wouldn't love to study in such setting?

Photo of Charang Khas, Himachal Pradesh, India by Sonu Negi

Camping on Lalanti meadows.

Photo of Charang Khas, Himachal Pradesh, India by Sonu Negi

Buddhist monks chanting mantras.

Photo of Charang Khas, Himachal Pradesh, India by Sonu Negi

My daughter, Archu. 

Photo of Charang Khas, Himachal Pradesh, India by Sonu Negi

A chorten near Rangrik Tungma monastery

Photo of Charang Khas, Himachal Pradesh, India by Sonu Negi

A monk preaching sermons.

Photo of Charang Khas, Himachal Pradesh, India by Sonu Negi

Monks dancing at Charang Monastery ground. Its called Cham or dragon dance.

Photo of Charang Khas, Himachal Pradesh, India by Sonu Negi

Charang has plenty to offer for adventure freaks too. One can climb peaks like Phwrang or Raacho or hike up to Raacho Kanda & Raacho glacier. Charang also serves as a base camp for Charang La ( altitude 5300 mtr) trek also known as Kinnaur Kailash Parikrama trek that will land you at another last village of Kinnaur — Chitkul village of Baspa valley. Having no phone connectivity, Kunnu & Charang villages is a heavenly match for city folks seeking a secluded refuge. One can get here by reaching Shurting ITBP check post which is around 20 km away from Moorang and around 60 km from Reckong Peo. From Shurting, it is a two hour easy hike to Charang village.

Photo of Charang Monastery, Giyung Lang, Himachal Pradesh, India by Sonu Negi
Photo of Charang Monastery, Giyung Lang, Himachal Pradesh, India by Sonu Negi
Photo of Charang Monastery, Giyung Lang, Himachal Pradesh, India by Sonu Negi
Photo of Charang Monastery, Giyung Lang, Himachal Pradesh, India by Sonu Negi
Photo of Charang Monastery, Giyung Lang, Himachal Pradesh, India by Sonu Negi
Photo of Charang Monastery, Giyung Lang, Himachal Pradesh, India by Sonu Negi
Photo of Charang Monastery, Giyung Lang, Himachal Pradesh, India by Sonu Negi
Photo of Charang Monastery, Giyung Lang, Himachal Pradesh, India by Sonu Negi
Photo of Charang Monastery, Giyung Lang, Himachal Pradesh, India by Sonu Negi
Photo of Charang Monastery, Giyung Lang, Himachal Pradesh, India by Sonu Negi
Photo of Charang Monastery, Giyung Lang, Himachal Pradesh, India by Sonu Negi

ITBP and PWD guys are building road upto Charang. Charang has its distinctive cultural traditions.People are deeply influenced by Buddhism and speak Bhoti language, although Kinnauri is also spoken by many.In spite of that , with the arrival of 21st century globalization , its cultural values are losing sheen. Change is palpable , village landscape is rapidly changing.So get here as fast as you can! Age old Tibetian Bhuddist monastery Rangrik is half hour walk from Charang. According to folklore this monastery was built by 'avtari' monk in a night and nobody knows about its inception year or date. In July and september month every year people celebrate 'Dugpa Cheji' a tibbetian festival where people dance around in circle and monks perform dragon dance. Climate of the village is similar to that of arid zones of Spiti or Leh Ladakh. People have built their house from stones and mud. In winters temperature plummets several degrees below zero and Charang river freezes completely like Zanskar river and one can walk or slide over it.