A creepy sanctuary in the Himalayas, buried in plastic bottles (6 photos)

In the Himalayas, in the middle of treacherous winding roads, there is a small temple that is literally filled with used plastic bottles. It really looks like a garbage heap, but in fact - that's how it should be. Because all this garbage is an offering to the local Ghost of the mountain winding serpentine of Ladakh.





A creepy sanctuary

In fact, the mini-temple looks pretty creepy and dirty, as if it was built by crazy Lafkrat or other gods of garbage. Foreign motorcyclists and sportsmen often go for a ride on this serpentine road, and they get scared when they see these piles of garbage with empty bottles.

Some even take pictures and complain that other tourists do not take care of the Himalayas and have polluted them worse than the Alps. But they are quickly told to keep their hands off, not to dare play Chistomenov here and take their garbage.



This serpentine road, it is completely unrealistic to drive here in winter

Superstition for those who take risks

The fact is that the winding serpentine in those mountains is very dangerous and difficult. And many are afraid of dying at the turn, so before visiting it, they leave an offering in this shrine to the Ghost of the Loop of Gat.

According to legend, the soul of a poor fellow who died here decades ago from thirst and extreme cold wanders here. And they leave him water so that he can quench his thirst at least in the next world.



When someone suggests removing this shrine, all believers in the ghost of the loop of Gat:

Some people believe that by passing by without leaving a bottle of water, you will upset the ghost and bring bad luck on your difficult journey.

The tradition of leaving bottles here is believed to have started in 1999 (or earlier) when a truck driver and his helper became stranded on the dangerous trail after their truck broke down on the 19th bend.



Another traveler stopped to bring gifts

With the snowfall threatening to completely isolate them, the driver decided to try to reach the nearest settlement and return with help, while the other stayed behind to guard the truck and their cargo.

Unfortunately, the snowstorm worsened, and when the driver returned three days later, the helper had died from exposure and lack of food and water. The man was buried on the side of a gravel road. But then travelers began reporting strange occurrences.

Years after the poor guy's death, travelers passing through the Ghat Loops began telling each other stories about a man who asked for water. But when people approached him, he disappeared into thin air.

Fearing that the ghost of the dead trucker was haunting the area, locals built a temple in his honor and tried to appease the restless spirit. The offering they chose was a bottle of water.

Soon, everyone who passed by the Ghost Temple and learned of its history began leaving bottles of water there. It costs nothing, but it ensures that they will not meet with misfortune along the way.



In general, traveling by motorbike in the Himalayas is a cool experience, but there are not many gas stations there

Nowadays, those who know about the Ghost of the Ghat Loop and plan to pass by its modest temple, make sure to take an extra bottle of water with them to leave as an offering to the thirsty spirit.

This slightly scary place is often the subject of debate. Is it right to deliberately pollute the Himalayas with plastic? Why not build a fountain there or just water the place?



They also put food and apples

Although eco-tourists on social networks are trying to promote this trend - to water instead of leaving a bottle, it does not work. Because the ghost needs to be left a bottle so that he can take it later when people leave. Do they not understand anything at all?

Would they have left a bottle just in case? Yes, I would, I feel sorry for the ghost.