Temples of Kalpa

Kalpa stands geographically at the confluence of Kinnaur that primarily follows Hinduism and Spiti Valley that follows Buddhism. You can see the confluence and co-existence of both the faiths at Kalpa. There are Buddhist temples here that look no different from Hindu temples from outside except may be a chorten as a sign. The Tibetan refugees who came to India with Dalai Lama built these Buddhist temples. Among Hindu temples in Kalpa, Chandika Devi Temple in Kothi and Nag Nagini in Chini town (old name of Kalpa) are worth a visit. Nag Nagini Temple has old carvings on top of the temple roofs. Chandika Devi Temple belongs to the reigning deity of Kalpa and you can see the skin of snow leopard here that is supposed to be the vehicle of the goddess. In most temples in Himachal, visitors and even locals are not allowed inside the temple. Only priests wearing the green Kinnaur cap and a waistband called Gachi can go inside the temples. Everyone else must pay his or her respects from a distance. Most temples are located at strategic points and more often than not, you get breathtaking views of the Himalayas from here.