Myth Or Natural Phenomenon? Why Lahaul’s Colour-changing Stones Are Attracting Tourists

Lahaul Valley of Himachal Pradesh is a popular tourist destination due to its natural beauty, culture, and adventure activities. This valley, surrounded by the high mountains of the Himalayas, also encompasses several mysteries. One such unproved phenomenon includes the colour-changing mysterious stones in an unnamed village in Lahual Valley. It changes colour with the sunrise and sunset.

A pile of these mysterious stones can be seen on the river bank, 3 kilometers before Darcha. These stones change colour with the sunlight. It is often seen here that these stones appear red in the morning and blue with the setting sun. It was noticed by many onlookers when passing through Darcha. Various people believe that there is a shadow of ghosts here.

There are many folk tales about this place in Lahaul Valley. Famous litterateur Dr Surat Thakur told Local 18 that Lahaul Valley is a hub of mysteries as many places are unexplored in this region. It is believed that a village was situated in Lahaul Valley which was buried several years ago. There is a special story behind the burial of the village under the stones, which is quite famous in the area, Dr Surat Thakur added.

Dr Surat said there used to be a tradition in this village that before any feast, the eldest person was given respect. The food was then served to the young ones and the rest of the people. According to folklore, a programme was organised in this village, attended by the villagers and people of neighbouring areas.

People were sitting in a row to eat food. During this, an old villager was made to sit in the back. He got furious with this hospitality and cursed the village. He said that the punishment for his insult would be decided by nature itself. It is believed that the whole mountain crushed over the village that day.

As per folklore, only one woman of this village remained alive, who had gone to another village that day. It is believed that after that human settlement could not be established in this area. Now this village is settled on the other side of the river. But, this pile of stones looks different from a distance. The colour seems to change with the sunlight.