>Jaswanth141199 at 15:58, 21 July 2021

2021-07-21T15:58:45Z

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{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2017}}
{{Use Indian English|date=April 2017}}
{{Infobox mountain pass
| name = Bara-lacha la
| photo = BaraLaachaLa.jpg
| photo_caption = Bara-lacha la
| elevation_m = 4850
| elevation_ref =
| traversed = [[Leh–Manali Highway]]
| location = India
| range = [[Himalaya]]
| coords = {{coord|32|45|31|N|77|25|13|E|type:pass|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
| topo =
| map= India Himachal Pradesh
}}
[[File:Baralachala signpost.jpg|thumb|Baralachala signpost]]
[[File:Baralacha la.jpg|thumb|188x188px|Baralacha Top Signpost with Snow capped peaks in the background.]]
'''Bara-lacha la''' also known as '''Bara-lacha Pass''', or '''Bārā Lācha La''',<ref>{{cite web |title= Bārā Lācha La|author=Geonames.org|access-date=2009-08-06|url= http://www.geonames.org/1277098/bara-lacha-la.html}}</ref> (el. {{convert|4850|m|ft|disp=or|abbr=on|sigfig=4}})<ref>[http://www.himachalworld.com/himachal-geography/passes-and-jots-in-himachal.html]</ref><ref>[http://www3.utsidan.se/corax-e/routes/zmanleh.htm]</ref> is a high [[mountain pass]] in [[Zanskar range]],<ref name="Gosal"/> connecting [[Lahaul]] district in [[Himachal Pradesh]] to [[Leh district]] in [[Ladakh]]. The [[Leh–Manali Highway]] traverses the pass.
[[File:Baralacha monsoon.jpg|left|thumb|View of Bara-lacha La Top during Monsoon with melting snow.]]
The two headwaters of the [[Chenab River]], Chandra and Bhaga, originate near the Baralacha Pass. The [[Bhaga river]] originates from [[Surya taal]] lake, which is situated a few of kilometers from the pass towards Manali. The Chandra originates from glacier in this region.<ref name="Gosal">{{cite journal |last= Gosal |first= G.S. |year= 2004 |title= Physical Geography of the Punjab |publisher= Center for Sikh and Punjab Studies, University of California |journal= Journal of Punjab Studies |volume= 11 |issue= 1 |page= 31 |issn= 0971-5223 |url= http://www.global.ucsb.edu/punjab/journal_11_1/3_gosal.pdf |access-date= 2009-08-06 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120608214642/http://www.global.ucsb.edu/punjab/journal_11_1/3_gosal.pdf |archive-date= 8 June 2012 |url-status= dead }}</ref> The native name of Chenab, "''Chandrabhaga''", represents the union of Chandra and Bhaga rivers downstream.

The pass also acts as a water-divide between the Bhaga river and the [[Yunam river]].<ref name="Pant">{{cite journal |author=R. K. Pant |author2=N. R. Phadtare |author3=L. S. Chamyal |author4=Navin Juyal |name-list-style=amp |date=June 2005 |title= Quaternary deposits in Ladakh and Karakoram Himalaya: A treasure trove of the palaeoclimate records |journal= [[Current Science]] |volume= 88|issue= 11|pages= 1789–1798 |url= http://www.ias.ac.in/currsci/jun102005/1789.pdf |access-date=2009-08-06 }}</ref>

==Legend==
Folklore states that the two divine lovers, Chandra, daughter of the [[Chandra|Moon god]], and Bhaga, the son of the [[Sun god]], decided to perform their eternal marriage atop the Bara-lacha-la. From there they ran in opposite directions. Chandra being active and smart, easily found her way and reached [[Tandi]] after covering the distance of {{convert|115|km|mi|abbr=on|sigfig=2}}.

Soon Bhaga was found coming with great struggle through the narrow gorges to Tandi, where consequently, they both met and the celestial marriage was performed. Bhaga covered about {{convert|60|km|mi|abbr=on|sigfig=2}} distance, which was very difficult.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.hill-stations-india.com/lahaul-spiti.html |title=Lahaul & Spiti |access-date=16 November 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190416151413/http://www.hill-stations-india.com/lahaul-spiti.html |archive-date=16 April 2019 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Geography==
Cross roads from Spiti, Ladakh, Zanskar and Lahaul meet at the Baralacha Pass. In ancient times it was part of a trade route. On the northwest originates the Bhaga River while the Chandra flows south-east. Below the Baralacha-la is an emerald lake, the ''Suraj tal'' (Sun lake), the source of the river [[Bhaga]].

<blockquote>"Mr. Shaw thus describes the region:
"The Bara Lacha is the boundary between two separate regions distinguished by their physical characteristics. That which we have already passed through may be called the true Himalayan region. Here the gigantic ranges are covered with perpetual snow, furrowed by glaciers, and they arise from amid dense forests which clothe their flanks up to a certain elevation. They are separated by deep gorges, whose sides are precipices, and though which large rivers flow. In fact the scenery is Alpine.
Henceforward, however, we must bear in mind that we are in the barren or Tibetan region, where green spots are about as rare as islands in the ocean, and universal gravel is the rule."<ref>''Central Asia. Travels in Cashmere, Little Thibet and Central Asia''. Compared and arranged by [[Bayard Taylor]]. New York. Charles Scribner's Sons. 1893, p.107.</ref></blockquote>

==Miscellaneous==
In [[Rudyard Kipling]]'s novel ''[[Kim (novel)|Kim]]'', there is a reference to Bara-lacha la pass the source of the Suraj Tal having been used by Kim's [[Lama]] to enter India from [[Tibet]].<ref>[http://www.mystichimalayantrails.com/manali_lehjeepsafari2.html Manali - Leh Jeep Safari-II]</ref>

A trekking route leads from Bara-lacha la to [[Chandra Taal]], situated by the bank of [[Chandra River]] in the [[Spiti Valley]]. In about a week's time, trekking in this region involves camping and walking at reasonably high altitude, and crossing a few glacial rivers. The basic day wise itinerary that trekkers can follow is:<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.alienadv.com/activityDetails/1496/Chandratal-to-Baralacha-La-Trek/|title=Chandratal to Baralacha La Trek - AlienAdv.com}}</ref>
# Manali (2000 m) - Batal (3907 m) drive
# Batal (3907 m) - Chandrataal (4300 m) hike
# Chandrataal (4300 m) - Tokpo Gongma (4320 m) hike
# Tokpo Gongma (4320 m) - Tokpo Yongma (4640 m) hike
# Tokpo Yongma (4640 m) - Baralacha La (4900 m) - Manali

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

==Gallery==

<gallery>
File:A View of Bara-lacha la in June.JPG|View of Bara-lacha la in June
File:Bright Sunny day at Bara-lacha la.JPG|Bright Sunny day at Bara-lacha la
File:Bara-lacha la snow covered mountain.JPG|Bara-lacha la snow-covered mountain
File:Baralacha La Lahaul D32 13255.jpg|Baralacha La looking towards [[Chandra Taal]], July 2016

</gallery>

==External links==
{{commons category|Bara-lacha La}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20070211170143/http://library.advanced.org/10131/lahaul_baralacha.html Lahaul and Spiti - Baralacha Pass]
*[http://www.trekearth.com/gallery/Asia/India/North/Himachal_Pradesh/Baralacha_La/ Bara-lacha-la photos on Trek Earth]
*[http://www.trekearth.com/gallery/Asia/India/North/Himachal_Pradesh/Baralacha_Pass/ More Bara-lacha-la photos on Trek Earth]
*[http://himalayan-quest.com/moon_lake.html Moon lake trek - Over baralacha la]
*[http://www.stikage.com/map_baralacha.htm Batal Bara-lacha-la road and trekking map] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722034058/http://www.stikage.com/map_baralacha.htm |date=22 July 2011 }}

{{Leh-Manali Highway}}

{{Mountain passes of India}}

[[Category:Mountain passes of Himachal Pradesh]]
[[Category:Mountain passes of the Himalayas]]
[[Category:Geography of Lahaul and Spiti district]]

Bara-lacha la - Revision history

>Jaswanth141199 at 15:58, 21 July 2021