Lasser Yankthi River in Darma valley ,October, 2009
There is an early snowfall in Darma valley this year. The people are yet to vacate their summer villages. The agricultural operations for the season are almost over. They are busy making their last minute preparations like drying the grain and herbs.
Here are some images of my day hike to Sipu village from Tidang along Lasser yankthi river. The weather was absolutely clear. Not a single trace of cloud in the sky.
Dhauli Ganga river as seen from Dakar village (Towards Dantu )
Lasser Yankthi river: A view from Marcha
The path to Bidang - From where one can cross Sin la to enter into Byas valley and see Parvati Tal. Chota kailash at Jolingkong. Also from Bidang, by following Dhauliganga to its origin, Dawe, Darma pass can be reached.
Dakar village. See the stone temple and Alam ( Birch pole ) worshipped by the people
From Dakar village towards Dantu.
The field are not cultivated thesedays as more and more natives stay in the lower hills or plains. Dakar is virtually deserted. Not more than ten villagers come here in the summers for cultivation.
It's Autumn time.
The upper Lasser yankthi river valley is a riot of browns, oranges, yellows, scarletts. A view from Sipu village. Down flows Lasser yankthi river.
Tidang village. It is situated at the confluence of Lasser yankthi and Dhauli Ganga rivers.
Apart from native villagers, Gaddi shephards from Himachal Pradesh bring their flocks of sheep for grazing in the high altitude pastures.
Lasser Yankthi river at Tidang. In the distance you can see the snow laden track that goes towards Bidang..
This too wears a deserted look. It is said that that the Marcha bhotiyas of Niti- Mana valleys in Garhwal migrated from this village ( or it could be vice versa ). In the heydays of trade with Tibet, all these high valley people must be meeting in the trade centers of Tibet and some migration must have taken place. It's easier and less time taking in summers to go to the valleys in Garhwal via Tibet plains than crossing high passes in the Himalaya.
Another view of Marcha village.
A view of Tidang from Marcha.. In the middle is Lasser Yankthi river.
The bridge across Lasser yankthi. Sipu is some 2 km from Marcha village. One goes about 1 km along the Lasser yankthi and then crosses the river. Then there is a climb to reach the higher ground on which Sipu is situated..
The road to Sipu village.
See the ridge in the middle of the picture, where Sipu is located.
Sipu temple premises.
Round and elongated stones are worshipped as Sivalinga.
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Sipu mandir where Shiva is worshipped/ I guess it's Chaudhara mountain peaks in the background..
Sipu village landscape.
As it's October and the the cultivation for the season is completed, the handful of villagers started moving to their winter homes in Tall Naya Basti near Kalika ( Dharchula Tehsil )
Upper Lasser Yankthi river valley from Sipu village. Towards Pokong, Dongrong, Kharsa, Domolia, and Nassa. Follow the river upstream for 12km to reach Anchari tal.
Mani Stone found near Sipu village.a reminder that once there was greater interaction with traders from Tibet and the religion too. These stones are found in many villages and worshipped, though there is no trace of Buddhism practiced in this part of India
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Chaudhara peaks from Sipu. Beyond these peaks is Ralam valley.
