Ancient Lahul and Himalaya

The present work concerns the tiny tract of Lahul in the wide perspective of the geography and history of the great Himalaya. The Pali Literature referring to the river Chandrabhaga – which originates from Lahul – and its inhabitants, introduces to an important moment in the ancient history of Lahul, stating that there live Kinnaras on the banks of Chandrabhaga. Lahul is situated at the headwaters of Chandrabhaga. The river received this name at its head. Firstly its two heads were named viz. Chandra and Bhaga and the combination of the two became the name of the main river. As against this, its former name Asikni, Vedic, was received at its last end. Of its other two names one is the earliest and the second the latest.