|
|
|
|
|
Kinnaur | big>Kinnaur | | colspan="2" align="center" | | | Capital | Reckong Peo | | Area | 6,553 sq km | | b> Population | 78,400 (2001) | | Population Density | 12/km | | Literacy | 75.11% | | Urbanization | 0% | The Kinnaur district is located in the north-eastern part of Himachal Pradesh. The district capital is Reckong Peo. There are 12 adminstrative circles and 3 adminstrative sub dividsions, namely the lower, middle and upper Kinnaur. Geography Located at an elevation between 2320m and 6816m, it is probably one of the smallest districts in India. Kinnaur is also famed for its Mount Kailash, which is located on the Tibetan border. Climate Kinnaur enjoys a temperate climate due to its high elevation, with long winters stretching from October to May and short summers extending from June to September. Only the lower parts of the Satluj Valley and the Baspa Valley receive monsoon rains while the upper areas of the valleys fall mainly under the rain shadow area. These parts have a dry climate, similar to Tibet and they are considered as arid regions. Flora and fauna Kinnaur is situated in the higher elevations of the Himalayas, thus making vegetation in the area sparse. Temperate coniferous trees grow at lower elevations located at Lower Kinnaur. In addition, temperate plants such as oaks, chestnuts, maples, birchs, alders, magnolias can also be found in large numbers at the lower elevations. Apples and Oranges may be grown as well. Alpine vegetation can be found between 3,500m to 5,000m, such as juniper, pine, firs, cypresses and rhododendrons is found primarily in Middle Kinnaur. In the higher elevations, in Upper Kinnaur, only sparse clusters of harsh grass could grow. Especially in the Upper elevations, yaks and dzos are reared by the local farmers. Scattered populations of the Himalayan Black Bear and the small ponies amy also be found. People The local people, known as Kinner or Kinnauri, are of mixed Tibetan and Indo-Caucasian origin in varying degrees. Those in Lower Kinnaur posses more Caucasoid features, while those in Upper Kinnaur posses predominantly Tibetan features, especially in Hangrang, where Tibetan features is possesed in almost every individual. Strains of racial mixing is the greatest in Middle Kinnaur, however. According to myth, the Kinners were the descandants of the Pandavas a species that is halfway between Men and God, possesing certain supernatural powers. They also claim descent to the Rajput, Khosias and the Beru castes. The Kinners speak a dialect belonging to the Tibeto-Burman family known as Kinnauri or Kanauri, which has elements of Hindi influence. The Tibetan Jangram dialect is spoken by the Kinners living in Pooh and Sangla. There are still 2,000 speakers of the old Zhang Zhung dialect in the Sutlej valley today. Of late, Tibetan refugees from Tibet has settled in parts of the district as well. Lifestyle Generally, the Kinners have households that faciliates rooms for keeping grain and dried fruits. In addition, most of the houses have separate wooden grain storage structures locally called Kathar. Pakpa, a skin of made out of animal skin, notably the sheep or yak, is often placed on the khayarcha mat. Traditionally, the people use utensils made of brass, bronze and aluminium. With the coming of modernism, chinese crockery and utensils made of stainless steel are used as well. Woolen clothes is worn contributing to its cold weather. The Thepang, a grey woolen cap, is accompanied with a white colour velvet band. The Tibetan Chhuba, a long woolen coat which resembles an Achkan, is worn as well, with the accompaniment of another sleeveless woolen jacket. While men wear the woolen Churidhar Pajama and tailored woolen shirts such as the Chamn Kurti, the womenfolk wrap themselves up in a Dohru. The first wrap of Dohru is based on the back, with its embridered borders displayed throughout its length up, streching right up to the heels. Darker shades of colours are preferred for the Dohru, although other beautiful coloured shawls maybe worn, and they are usually draped over the shoulders. Choli, another full sleeved blouse worn by the women, may consist of decorative lining also. The Kinners are classified into two scheduled castes, Chomang and Domang, and such caste systems are frequently heard of among the Kinners of the Lower and Middle Kinnaur. Strictly speaking, the Chomang consists of weavers and tailors, while the Domangs are blacksmiths. Religion Hinduism and Tibetan Buddhism are the main religions professed by the people iving in the district, although Bn is also practiced by some as well. These three religions have undergone religious infusion, along with some indigenious shamanistic practices. In Lower Kinnaur, one can see some Buddhist influences in the Hindu religion, to the mixing of the Buddhist and Hindu beliefs in varying degrees in Middle Kinnaur, and even the influence of Hinduism in Buddhism in Pooh of Upper Kinnaur. However, Buddhist Hangrang remains largely untouched by Hindu influence. Especially in Middle Kinnaur, one can see Hindu gods being worshipped side by side with Buddhist deities in Buddhist and Hindu temples. Dabla, one of the major Bn deities, has great reverence among the Kinners in the area. Folk Hindu gods are also worshipped, especially in Middle and Lower Kinnaur. This necessarily include the Durga, where it is locally known as Chandi, Narayan, Vishnu, and many other folk Hindu-Animist gods. A folk deity plays a major role in the daily life of the Kinners. Superstions of Animist Ghosts such as Banchir, Rakshas and Khunkch also play an important role in the belief system of the Kinners. Pujas and horns of domestic animals are used to ward off the evil spirits, in order to bring good luck. Buddhist Lamas play an important role in the daily life of the Kinners, and young Kaner monks of Upper and Middle Kinnaur are trained from a young age on conducting religious ceromonies. Devoting their lives to Lamaism and learning to read Tibetan scriptures and Buddhist doctrines. When these people grow up to become Lamas and Chomos, they will be given religious duties to preside over the religious and secular affairs of the Kinners. They are generally divided into two groups, the celibate Gyolang, who shave their heads, and the Durpu, who do not shave their heads and marry, and there are no restrictions in their marriage. Mount Kailash is the most sacred peak by most Kinners. Every year, the peak received thousands of locals who were going on a Yatra Pilgrimage, both Hindu and Buddhist alike. History Little is known about the history of Kinnaur, except for the fact that it was known as Kanaurra or Kinnaura. Legendary and mythlogical accounts spreaded by the word from the mouth is also heard among the local folks. It is a known fact that it was placed under the control of the Magdha kingdom, followed by the Mauryan empire during the 6th Century B.C., which was then inhabited mainly by the Kirata, Kamboja, Panasika and Valhika. Kinnaur also came under the Sphere of influence from the Guge kingdom of Tibet between the 9th and 12th century. Kinnaur later divided into seven parts, known as Sat Khund. Further conflicts in the area gave rise to the formation of many small chiefdoms, who were constantly fighting against one other for power. The neighbouring Bhotes also seized the opportunity to jump into the fray but did not desist from creating trouble. Various forts such as Labrang, Moorang, and Kamru forts tells the history of this era, until emperor Akbar of the Mughal Empire conquered the area reunited and incoporated the Kinnaur valley into the empire. With the collaspe of the Mughal Empire, Kinnaur valley acted as a bulwark to Bushahr. With the lapse of paramountcy, Kinnaur, then known as Chini Tehsil, was merged to form a part of then Mahasu district, created by the ruler Tika Raghunath Singh. By 1960, the importance of reorganising border area was realised, mainly in the view of political, ethnic and cultural considerations that the area, which was part Rampur Tehsil, were reorganised and bifurcated into a separate District, forming the present Kinnaur district. Tourism With its beautiful scenery, a tourist can be easily captivated by the beautiful scenery of Kinnaur. However, owing to its cold weather, only in the months between April to October is Kinnaur is open to visitors, as most of it is cut off by the snow during the winter months. Owing to the fact that much of Kinnaur is not covered with tarred roads, one can only travel on foot, owing to the fact that there are few highways on Kinnaur. One can also enjoy the fascinating culture and people of Pooh, Reckong Peo Kalpa and Sangla. You may not only taste the sweet fruits of the orchards, planted by the local populace, but also see the evolution of Kinner culture as the Hindu and Buddhist religions interwine together over the centuries. See Also External links
|
 |
|
| Copyright 2005-2009 OnPedia.com. All Rights Reserved |
|
|