Pilot Survey & Documentary film on ICH of Lahaul District, HP

The ICH division conducted a pilot survey to explore intangible cultural aspects of Lahaul sub division of HP. Lahaul is a cultural continuation of Ladakh. Hinduism and Tibetan Buddhism are mingled with local beliefs. A popular local deity who is believed to be the “protective deity” of Lahaul, a pre-vedic Himalayan god, Raja Gyepang, is not represented by any form but by his horse and the mountain sheep. The vernacular architecture is one of the most endangered aspects of this area as the people have turned to concrete and tin/aluminium to replace the old mud and wood structures. The local cuisine is also disappearing gradually in favour of mainstream “rice and curry”.