Darcha
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![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/42/New_Darcha_Village_Lahaul_Oct20_D72_18311.jpg/220px-New_Darcha_Village_Lahaul_Oct20_D72_18311.jpg)
Darcha (elevation 3,360 m or 11,020 ft)[1] is a pair of villages (Darcha Sumdo and Darach Dangma) on the Bhaga River in the Lahaul sub-division in the Lahaul and Spiti district in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. It is the northernmost permanent settlement in Himachal Pradesh along the Manali-Leh Highway.[2] With the opening of the Atal Tunnel, Darcha is likely to see a large influx of tourists as it is now connected to Manali throughout the year.[original research?] The Nimmu–Padam–Darcha road which is being constructed, will improve connectivity of Kargil, Zanskar and Leh District of Ladakh to Darcha.[citation needed]
Demographics and amenities
Darcha consists of two adjacent villages, Darcha Sumdo and Darcha Dangma with a total area of 51.3 ha (127 acres). Information on Darcha from the Census of India 2011 is given in the table below.[3]
Measure | Darcha Sumdo | Darcha Dangma | Darcha (total) |
---|---|---|---|
Area (ha) | 10.6 | 40.7 | 51.3 |
Population | 172 | 166 | 338 |
Households | 38 | 34 | 72 |
Scheduled Caste | <5% | Nil | |
Scheduled Tribes | 41-50% | >75% |
Schooling from primary up to senior secondary (Class 1 to 12) is available in the village. There is a Primary Health Centre at Darcha. Drinking water is available, and the village has power and telephone connections.[3]
Transport
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/66/Darcha_Bridge.jpg/220px-Darcha_Bridge.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0e/Darcha_Bridge_NW_Lahaul_Himachal_India_Oct22_A7C_03526.jpg/220px-Darcha_Bridge_NW_Lahaul_Himachal_India_Oct22_A7C_03526.jpg)
Some buses between Manali and Leh stop for the night at Darcha where travelers sleep in tents.[citation needed] A new all weather steel bridge of 360 meters length has been built over the confluence of the Bhaga river and Jankar Nala on the Leh-Manali Highway.[4] The village is the end-point of a popular trek beginning in Padum, Zanskar. Roadside stalls offer basic food.[2]
All passing vehicles must stop at Darcha's police checkpoint for identification and passport checks.[2][5]
Gallery
- Darcha village, Oct 2020
- R. Bhaga, Darcha to Gemur, Oct '20
- R. Bhaga from Darcha past Jispa to Gemur, Jun '24
- Fields on the Bhaga river bed, Oct '20
References
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- ^ "Himachal Tourism | Darcha". Archived from the original on 23 September 2009. Retrieved 12 December 2014.
- ^ a b c Singh, S.; Bindloss, J. (2007). India. Lonely Planet. p. 341. ISBN 9781741043082. Retrieved 12 December 2014.
- ^ a b Census of India 2011: District Census Handbook: Lahul & Spiti: Village and Town Directory. Vol. Series-03, Part XII-A. Directorate of Census Operations, Himachal Pradesh. 2011. pp. 164, 303, 304, 308, 310.
- ^ "Of 44 bridges dedicated to nation, HP gets two on Manali-Leh highway". The Hindustan Times. 12 October 2020. Archived from the original on 27 November 2020. Retrieved 19 November 2020.
- ^ Bradnock, R.; Bradnock, R. (2000). Indian Himalaya: The Travel Guide. Footprint Handbooks. p. 196. ISBN 9781900949798. Retrieved 12 December 2014.
- v
- t
- e
Kangra division | |
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Mandi division | |
Shimla division |
- Image gallery at Wikimedia Commons
- Bhanupli–Leh line
- Atal Tunnel
- Tourism