Village Square journeys along the river Spiti, in Himachal’s Lahaul and Spiti district, and discovers that though most settlements in the region have sprung up around it, the river itself serves little practical purpose to inhabitants.
The Spiti river, which meanders through the arid climes of the trans-Himalayas for about 220 kilometres, originates high in the northern reaches of the eastern slopes, nestled between the Lahaul and Spiti mountain ranges. It begins at the base of the Kunzam range, where the Kunzam La Togpo converges with the Kabzima and Pinglung streams to form the river.
These streams gather in the high-altitude terrain, contributing to the river’s flow as it winds through the remote Spiti Valley, ultimately joining the Sutlej river further downstream.
The Spiti river flows through several key settlements in the valley, including Kaza, the largest town, as well as Tabo. It is joined by its major tributary, the Pin river, which originates from the Pin valley. The two rivers meet at Shishuna, creating a striking confluence.
From the village of Dhankar, once the capital of Spiti, visitors are treated to a breathtaking view of this confluence.
Most settlements in the Spiti valley don’t rely on the river’s water for irrigation, with villages like Shebo, Schilling, and parts of Kaza being the notable exceptions. These areas make use of the limited water available to support agricultural activities, though such practices remain scarce given the region’s harsh, arid climate.
The Spiti river winds through one of the driest regions of the Himalayas, an area that is almost desert-like in its aridity. With little rainfall throughout the year, the river’s flow is largely sustained by streams fed by the melting glaciers of the surrounding mountains. These glacial streams provide the primary source of water for the river.
After winding its way through the Spiti valley, the river eventually enters Kinnaur at Sumdo. From there, it continues for a few more kilometres before merging with the Sutlej river at Khab, completing its journey through the region.
Atiqur Rahman is a Delhi-based photographer who hails from Nagaland, and is passionate about bringing stories from the Himalayan region.
