Vairocana
For centuries the trans Himalayan tracts of Spiti,
Lahaul and Ladakh have been enveloped by a grand mystic aura. Behind this
veil of geographical isolation and mystery lay wonders, that are unfathomable
even today.
In the insurmountable heights of Spiti, lies the Buddhist gompa, monastery of Tabo, established in 996 A.D. It was the Tibetan year of the Fire Ape and the founder was the great teacher Rinchensang Po, also known as Mahaguru Ratnabhadra. With its exquisite murals and stucco images, Tabo is often called 'The Ajanta of the Himalayas'.
Spiti (locally pronounced 'Piti') or the 'middle country', has its sub divisional
headquarters at Kaza. The river Spiti originates at the base of the Kunzam
range and flows eastward to join the Sutlej at Khab in Kinnaur. In practical
isolation for centuries, Spiti has an intensely introvertive culture centred
around its several monasteries- Dhankar, Ki, Tabo, Mud, Gungri, Lidang,
Hikim, Sagnam, Mane Gogma and Giu to name a few. Spiti was loosely ruled
for many centuries by a hereditary wazir, styled Nono. The majority
of the people are Buddhists, followers of the Geluk-pa sect. The repetition
of the mantra "Om mani padme hum" (literally, 'Behold, the jewel
is in the lotus'), is constant; it is believed to bring good fortune and
wash away all sins. For all the seeming bleakness, Spiti possesses a haunting
beauty. The wildlife in the region includes the elusive snow leopard and
ibex, found in the Pin valley.
