Story of the Ravi A large part of the Chamba district is the valley of the RaviRiver. Although it is one of the less prominent rivers of theHimalayas, it is one of the major tributaries of the Indus river,which is joined by many rivers to form the Indus river system.This river is also one of the principal rivers in theagriculturally rich Indian state of Punjab. The Ravi rises in theform of two streams -- the Kalihain and the Buddhal. While theKalihain rises from the glaciers in the Bara Banghal basinregion, the Buddhal originates in the snowfields of Kugti andManimahesh.

Spectacular gorge of the Buddhal. Credit: Karamjeet Singh

The Manimahesh range, which is named after the mountain, isconsidered holy as it is believed locally to be the abode of LordShiva.

After flowing past the Brahmour region, the Buddhal, which is anapt name because it resembles an old man's flowing white beard("buddha" = old, old man), has carved out a fantastic gorge inthe granite rocks, which towards the end is reduced to a fearsomeoverhang.

Another sheer gorge has been carved by the Ravi upstream of thetown of Chamba. This gorge becomes an overhang near Brahmour andlater widens up at an altitude of over 7000 ft.

Downstream from Chamba, Ravi is joined by the Biara Siul stream.The Biara Siul rises in the snowfields on the Sach pass. The Sachpass is the traditional route into Pangi and one of the mostremote and inaccessible areas in the whole of India. Pangi liesin the Chenab-Chandrabhaga valley. The route goes over the 14,000ft Sach pass, with the only alternative being the helicopter, aservice run by the government for its employees and the localresidents of the region. The trek across the Sach pass startsfrom Satrundhi with Tissa being the nearest town.