Rohtang Pass is a high mountain pass in Himachal Pradesh, situated at an altitude of about 3,978 meters (13,050 feet) in the Pir Panjal Range of the Himalayas. It lies roughly 51 kilometers north of Manali and serves as a critical gateway between the Kullu Valley and the arid highlands of Lahaul-Spiti. For centuries, this route has enabled the movement of people, livestock, and trade across two sharply contrasting ecological regions.
The name “Rohtang” comes from the Tibetan words “ro” (corpse) and “thang” (plain), reflecting the pass’s grim reputation in earlier times when sudden snowstorms, avalanches, and extreme cold often proved fatal for travelers attempting the crossing without modern equipment.
Rohtang Pass holds strategic and economic significance as part of the Leh-Manali Highway, connecting the Indian heartland with Ladakh and playing a vital role in military logistics and regional trade. It also acts as a watershed for rivers flowing into the Chenab basin, including the Beas River which originates nearby. Today, tourism has increased access and economic activity, yet the pass continues to reflect the Himalayas’ formidable terrain and the effort needed to cross it.
