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ROHTANG PASS - END OF THE HABITABLE WORLD...

The famed Rohtang Pass(ht-13050feet) formed a historically significant connect between kullu valley and the twin valleys of Lahoul and Spiti in the western Himalayas.This connect was significant as it was an important" link to the Silk Route".

Horse mounted traders from Punjab would ply their wares through this route

to reach Leh and beyond.The Indians would trade in precious stones for the Chinese Silk,Pashmina,horses,carpets, and also opium.

My forefathers from Hoshiarpur(Punjab) in the 1870s were amongst the early pioneers to trade on this route.

The ancient name of kullu is Kulanthapitha and literally translates into "the end of the habitable world.Been on this pass a number of times.And it certainly evokes this feeling of looking at the end of the habitable world.It also conjures up images of Central Asia.

Shown in the image is the western face of the mighty Rohtang Pass at last light.

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Uploaded on March 6, 2010
Taken on August 5, 2007