Monday, October 10, 2005

Sosa : My Village


At 2500 mts. you feel like the king of world, especially when you can see might Kali river 1.5 kms straight down looking like a fading line. When echo of your voice from the mountains spread your identity. When the beautiful view of Pangu and adjoining mountains make you believe that you are in heaven. When cold water of "Dhara" make you shiver even in May-June.When silence of woods and talking of wind reminds you of the most beautiful moments in life.

This is Sosa (or Sauso) for you, the most beautiful place i've ever seen in my life. In childhood i never realized why my father is in love with Sauso and wanted to be there all the time. But now i know the true reason, when you are born and brought up in heaven, will you ever want to come down?
Enough of nostalgia, now here some stats about my village. This was compiled by my cousin Hemraj Hyanki.

Fact: Sosa is the more known name of a village called Sauso in Chaudas valley of Rung-rajoo.

Geography: Sosa is at an altitude of 2440 meters from the sea level. The village can be called the heart of Chaudas valley as it is almost at the centre of thevalley. It is at the radius of maximum 6-7 kilometers from any rung-village in the valley.

People: The village comprises of total 48 families. Total human population of Sosa as on April, 2005, was 327 precisely. Demographically it may be interesting to note that the village has sex ratio in favour of females. Out of 327 people in village, 167 were females and 160 were males.

Like every other rung village, the village consists of various lanes (Haroos) of houses one above another. There are three such lanes of houses in Sosa, namely; (i) Lowest lane of houses (Pungpung Haroo), (ii) Middle lane of houses (Gundha Haroo) and (iii) Upper most lane of houses (Yuryur Haroo).
Pungpung Haroo and Gundha Haroo are predominantly inhabited by Hyankis of Syangte Raath while Yuryur Haroo is occupied by Hyankis of Pongsong Raath and Garkhals. Both the Burathoki families stay in Pungpung haroo. Apart from houses in aforementioned 3 lanes, a group of families are settled little away from the main village. That particular settlement is occupied by Kunwars and called as Pongsausau.
As the winter season approaches Hyankis (Syangte) migrate to villages named Jhee (Jayakot) and Jhyaree. Burathoki families migrate to village named Sunamangam while couple of Garkhal families migrate to Nayang.

Places to visit:

Syang-sthan, the abode of almighty Syangsai Gabla (who is worshipped by one and all in Chaudas valley), is just about 2 kilometers from the main village. On the auspicious day of the Full Moon in the Hindu month of Kartik (Oct-Nov), worshippers from all the villages of Chaudas come in groups playing drums and cymbals and congregate at Syangsthan for Auraat (waking-up throughout the night to worship the deity). Whole night lamps are lit, incense is burnt, bells are rung, drums and cymbals are beaten to call the deity to bless it worshippers. Auraat and Saithoom (rituals to worship deity) at Syangsthan are managed and looked after by the Hyankis (Syangte) and Garkhals of Sosa.

Narayan Ashram is one of the major tourist attractions of the Rung-rajoo. The Ashram is at the height of 2735 meters from sea level. One can see peaks of Himalayan range all lined-up toward its north-west as if they are frozen by the charming beauty of Narayan Ashram.

Teesyangkang, is basically a meadow (bugyal) almost 2.5 kilometers from Sosa on the way to Sirdang. This place is more recognized locally for being the picturesque cricket ground.
Syangwi-Top, is little farther from Teesyangkang and is considered to be abode of Gabla (a local deity). This place marks the boundary between Sosa and Sirdang.
Swum-Tonkar, is the highest peak around Sosa. From here, one can take bird’s eye view of Chaudas valley.