A huge pile of garbage on the side of Manali-Leh Road at Gata Loops marks the grave and spirit shrine built for a ghost that supposedly haunted the area after dying in a snowstorm. What is the strange story behind the Gata Loops Spirit Shrine?
Are you planning an adventurous road trip from Manali to Leh in the Indian mountains of Himachal Pradesh? Chances are, you will pass through the celebrated Gata Loops on the way, a fairly unknown destination except for the locals. While this stretch of road is known for its challenging 21 hairpin bends, it also hides a chilling history that travelers often encounter.
Gata Loops, true to its name, is a series of twisty and loop roads that create 21 hairpin bends. Situated on the Manali-Leh road at an altitude of around 17,000 feet, these loops stretch for 10.3 kilometers, with each loop being between 300 and 600 meters long. However, the last two loops deviate from this pattern, being 800 and 1,000 meters long, respectively.
What is the Spirit Temple in Manali
Among cyclists hiking the mountains or travelers passing through, they gather and tell stories about the mysteries of the area. One of these stories concerns the strange Gata Loops Spirit Temple, which has a terrifying story behind it.
A huge pile of garbage, plastic water bottles and cigarettes marks the site of the Spirit Temple in Manali, around the 19th bend of the Gata Loops. But what exactly is it and who is the ghost haunting this particular stretch of road?
The exact time it happened varies depending on who tells the story. Some place it in 1999, perhaps on an October night. The truck carrying the goods found itself in a tragic situation, as winters in these areas can be quite treacherous.
Although trucks have been known to exploit these loops, there are shortcuts available for those looking for a less demanding route. The steep, elevated roads are wide enough for trucks, making them a preferred choice for transporting goods.
While crossing the treacherous Rohtang Pass in the cool autumn, heading into a winter night with snow already falling in places, this truck encountered mechanical problems and the driver was unable to repair it. With no lend a hand in sight and facing tough weather conditions, the driver and his helper decided to wait for lend a hand.
A desperate journey
The driver made the tough journey to the nearest village, Sarchu, to find a mechanic, leaving his ailing helper to protect the load. But weighty snowfall stopped the driver and prevented him from returning.
A few days later, when the weather improved, the driver returned and found the dead body of his assistant. Severe cool, hunger and thirst had taken his life. The locals buried the deceased at the 19th bend of the road, which soon became The Ghost Temple of Gata Loops.
Ghostly Sighting at Gata Loops Spirit Temple
For years, travelers have reported seeing a adolescent man while traveling, searching for water and provisions near The Ghost Temple of Gata Loops. Those who stopped and gave the man a bottle of water saw it slip through his fingers.
Believing this figure to be the spirit of a deceased helper, local villagers set up a miniature shrine to appease his spirit. Passersby often leave mineral water and cigarettes at the shrine to prevent potential anger or misfortune along the way.
What happened that winter night is tough to prove or disprove. People still pour water into the bricks that make up the miniature clearing at The Ghost Temple of Gata Loops. Inside is a real human skull. Or so the saying goes.
Regardless, some travelers claim to have experienced the apparition of a spirit helper in the area around The Ghost Temple of Gata Loops. If you dare to venture down this eerie path, tread carefully, but remember that a world of enchanting landscapes awaits you beyond Gata Loops.
References:
https://gomissing.in/blog/travel/ladakh/ghost-of-gata-loops-other-mysteries-of-leh-ladakh
The Spirit of the Gata Loop | TDA Global Cycling
Do You Know The Ghost Temple On Gata Loops On Manali-Leh Road? | Times of India TravelThe Spirit of the Gata Loop – Vargis Khan
Image Source: Pixabay.com
