Ancient Trade Route: Rohtang Pass has been historically significant as a trade route between the Indian subcontinent and Central Asia. Traders, merchants, and travelers used this route for centuries to transport goods, spices, and cultural influences between regions.
Military Importance: Due to its strategic location, Rohtang Pass has played a crucial role in various military campaigns throughout history. It has been used by armies for centuries to ac ...
The 50km journey from Manali to Rohtang pass is one of the most breathtaking spectacles of nature. Spellbinding escapades and strategic location of the Rohtang Pass make it one of the most popular places to visit in Manali.
May to October
Ancient Trade Route: Rohtang Pass has been historically significant as a trade route between the Indian subcontinent and Central Asia. Traders, merchants, and travelers used this route for centuries to transport goods, spices, and cultural influences between regions.
Military Importance: Due to its strategic location, Rohtang Pass has played a crucial role in various military campaigns throughout history. It has been used by armies for centuries to access and control territories in the region.
Cultural Significance: Rohtang Pass holds cultural importance for the indigenous communities living in the region, such as the indigenous people of Lahaul and Spiti Valley. These communities have a rich cultural heritage, and the pass often features in their folklore, traditions, and rituals.
Colonial Era: During the British colonial period, Rohtang Pass gained attention as a potential route for connecting the Indian plains with the remote regions of Lahaul and Spiti Valley. However, due to its challenging terrain and harsh weather conditions, the construction of a road through the pass was a formidable task.
Modern Development: In the 20th century, efforts were made to improve connectivity through Rohtang Pass. The construction of roads and infrastructure projects aimed to enhance transportation and accessibility to the region, facilitating trade, tourism, and military movements.
Rohtang Tunnel: One of the most significant developments in recent history is the construction of the Rohtang Tunnel. This engineering marvel, inaugurated in 2020, provides an all-weather road link between Manali and Lahaul-Spiti Valley, bypassing the need to traverse the pass itself. The tunnel has greatly improved connectivity and reduced travel time, especially during the winter months when the pass remains closed due to heavy snowfall.
Rohtang Pass is one of the most spectacular natural delights in India. It serves as a gateway to the picturesque Spiti valley home to the famous Pin Valley National Park and numerous Buddhist Monasteries. The pass is inaccessible during winters, but visitors are allowed during summers once they have obtained the necessary permits. Once you enter the pass, you will immediately notice a transformation in the landscape, and you will come back spellbound and mesmerised by the raw and untouched beauty of the region.
There are many myths and legend associated with how Rohtang Pass got its name. Some say the pass is named after the mighty mountain ranges that serve as a link between Kullu and Lahaul valleys. And since it’s the only point of connection between the valleys, some say the gods themselves made the pass. The folks in Kullu believe that Lord Shiva created the pass and in Lahaul, the people believe Gyapo Gyasar, the king of Western Tibet who made the pass.
Although, the most common and believable origin story lies in the name itself. Rohtang in Ladhaki language means Bhoti which translates to a “Pile of Corpse”. The pass got its name because of the numerous people who died trying to cross the pass.
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