VALLEYS

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1. THE CHANDRA VALLEY:-                                                   

The valley of river Chandra is locally known as 'Rangloi'. It begins from the snow-bed on the south-eastern foot of the Baralacha Pass. The valley contain high mountain peaks, large glaciers and snow fields. The habitation starts only after 72 km with patches of vegetation and pastures where Gaddis camp during summer months. The Rangloi contains four kothis of Khoksar, Sissu, Gondhla and Gushal. Khoksar is the first village in the valley. After Khoksar the scenery becomes greener. There are several villages situated on the right bank of the river Chandra and on the left, there is almost a wall like mountain rising from the bed of the river and going upto the crest.

2. THE BHAGA VALLEY:-

The valley of the river Bhaga is locally called 'Gara'. It starts from the south-western foot of the Baralacha Pass. It looks deserted and uninhabitated upto Darcha, which is the first village in the valley. From Darcha to Kolong, the valley is called 'stod', and from Kolong to Keylong it is called 'Gaar'. It contains four kothis: Kardang, Barbog, Kolong and Gumrang. Darcha is situated at the junction of Yoche nullah and the Zanskarcha with the main river. Keylong , on the right bank of Bhaga river is the largest village in Lahoul and is the headquarter of the district. Kardang, the capital of Lahoul in ancient times and also famous for monastery, lies on opposite Keylong. The right bank has large tracts of level and cultivable land. After every seven - eight kms we can see small village.

3. THE CHANDRA BHAGA VALLEY:-

The valley of the combined rivers of Chandra and Bhaga is called Chandra-Bhaga valley, popularly known as Pattan valley. It starts from Tandi, where Chandra and Bhaga meet. This valley contains six kothis: Tandi, Warpa, Ranika, Shansha, Jalma and Jobrang. This valley is termed as 'orchard and granary' of Lahoul because maximum of the cultivation is done here. This valley is wider, fertile and thickly populated. 

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