A part of district of Lahaul and Spiti, Spiti has its sub-divisional headquarters at Kaza. With mountains that form a part of the middle and greater Himalaya-several peaks across 6000m - the mean elevation of the area is 4570m. Spiti’s people have divided it into four units - 'Sham', the lower region, 'pin', which lies by the Pin river, 'bhar', the middle tract and 'tud' the high territories.
The river spiti that flows with cold snow melt through the region is formed at the base of the Kunzan range. It flows eastward to meet the Sutluj at Khab in Kinnaur. En route it is fed by several streams – Pin, Chiomo, Gyundi, Rahtang, Ullah, Lungze, Mane, Surahi, Hanze, Tagling, Thumpa Lumpa, Kaza, Lingti, Parechu and Tabo. The area’s valleys are narrow-except for the portions of the spiti which at places has a width of up to 3 Kms. Arable land is marginal and there are no trees except for a few patches of popular and willow.
In practical isolation for centuries, Spiti has had introvertive culture and life has remained focused around its several monasteries. It was loosely ruled by a hereditary wazir, styled ‘Nano’ and in between, for brief periods, this also came under the sway of various invaders. For example, Spiti was subjected to several attacks – first during the wars between the princely states of Kullu and Ladakh, and then parts were sacked by the armies of
The people of Spiti are largely Buddhists and followers of the Geluk-pasect. Religion plays a major role in everyday life as piles of ‘mani’ stones, prayer flags and 'chortens' testify. The repetition of the mantra "
Spiti is connected to Lahual by the
