Kalpa is a small town in the Sutlej river valley, above Recong Peo in the Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh. Kalpa is inhabited by Kinnauri people and famous for its apple orchards. The apples in Kalpa are a major cash-crop for the region. The local inhabitants of Kalpa follow a syncretism of Hinduism and Buddhism, and many temples in Kalpa are dedicated to both Hindu and Buddhist Gods and Goddesses. Kalpa is among apple orchards, pine-nut forests and the stately deodars. It is above the town of Reckong Peo, the district headquarters of Kinnaur, which has a hundred-year-old Buddhist monastery.
Location of Kalpa
Kalpa is at 31.53 degree north to 78.25 degree east. It has an average elevation of 2,960 metres. It is located 265 kilometres (165 mi) beyond Shimla on the National Highway-22 in Kinnaur district. It is located at the base of the Kinnaur Kailash snow-capped ranges. The Shiwalik Himalayan Range has the peaks rise up to 20,000 feet.
Climate of Kalpa
In winter all the villages of Kalpa are covered by about 5-7 feet of snow, and the temperature can drop to as low as -20 degree Celsius, heavy woollens are required even most of time in summer. Kalpa enjoys a temperate climate due to its high elevation, with long winters from October to May, and short summers from June to September. During the winter time heavy woollens are required when temperature goes below freezing point around -15 degree to - 20 degree.
Demography of Kalpa
Kalpa is one of the biggest and beautiful village of Kinnaur district. Kalpa has an average literacy rate of 83.75 percent.
Tourism of Kalpa
Kalpa is a town with a history of ancient temples dedicated to The Hindu Gods and Goddesses. The Sutlej River below hurtles through deep gorges, the winding mountain road is bordered by chilgoza forests. The serenity of this sleepy hamlet was not often visited by foreigners until recently, but there are still relatively few visitors. The view from Kalpa is beautiful with an observer getting the feeling that he is sitting in the lap of the mountains with the entire range of peaks being visible. The landscape beauty of Kalpa is also visible from this place is the sacred Shiwalik rock on the Kailash mountain that changes its colour at different points in the day. This hill station also consists of two tourist"s destinations like Reckong Peo and Kothi.
