Mummies usually remind us of Egypt. But did you know that India has a mummy too perched at a height of around 10,000 feet in the remote Gue village of Himachal? Gue is one of the spectacular villages in Spiti Valley, near the Indo-China border. Interestingly, the formation of this mummy took place without any artificial preservation process. This unique mummy in Spiti Valley is over 500 years old and was formed by the self-mummification process. The mummy is believed to be of Buddist monk Sangha Tenzing, who had sacrificed his life to stop the scorpion plague in the valley.
View this post on Instagram
The Mummy Appeared Inside A Dilapidated Tomb After The 1975 Spiti Valley Earthquake
There is a mysterious tale behind the discovery of Sangha Tenzing’s mummy. In 1975, Spiti Valley had faced a harrowing earthquake which had unveiled an ancient hidden tomb. Inside the tomb, the mummy of Sangha Tenzing was found. In 2004, the Indo-Tibetan Border Police finally excavated the tomb and officially dug out the mummy. Since then, the natural mummy lies inside a glass box in the Gue monastery. The monastery is flanked by lofty snow-clad mountains.
View this post on Instagram
Also Read: Live In The 80-Year-Old Zomsa Mudhouse In Remote Lahaul Valley And Soak In Local Culture
According to folklore, several centuries ago, an overwhelmingly large number of scorpions were leading to the death of many in the valley. During that time, Sangha Tenzing sat on meditation and started depriving himself of fats to save the valley from the massacre. He was consuming only tree sap, roots and herbs while carrying out his meditation. Due to slow starvation, this soul gradually left his body. Locals say that the day his spirit left, a rainbow was visible on the horizon and it ended the scorpion epidemic.
Also Read: Need Mobile Connectivity In The Remote Spiti Valley? Here Are Some Tips And Tricks
Sokushinbutsu: The Process Of Self Mummification
The process of self-mummification in Buddhism is known as Sokushinbutsu. In this process, the monks start the self-mummification process while they are alive. They sacrifice their lives by observing slow starvation over a period of time. Sangha Tenzing too mummified himself by following Sokushinbutsu.
This mummy is a gem of Spiti Valley and is a must-visit when you’re at the destination. On that note, here is a list of 6 Stunning Places To Explore In Spiti Valley That Will Blow Your Mind.