KHENZJEMANE

Khenjemane is a combination of two local terms ‘Khenje’ meaning ‘stone stairs’ and ‘ Mane’ which means a ‘place of rest formed of prayers inscribed on stone slabs’. It basically was the highway or corridor for trade and pilgrimage to Tibet. It was used to trade goods like rice, fruits, dyes from India and Bhutan in lieu of salt, clothes, lard, dried fish and brick tea from Tibet. It was a porous border until 1959, when the Dalai Lama escaped from Lhasa(Tibet) and arrived here. Consequent, to the 1962 Indo-China War, the borders were sealed. It is heavily patrolled by the Indian Military, Paramilitary and intelligence forces. Apart from its historical significance, it has religious sentiments attached to it as well. The walking stick that the Dalai Lama used during his escape was planted atop a stone mount. It later grew into a flourishing tree known as the Grung-Kukpa or the holy tree. It is revered by the locals. Visitors come to this place to see the border, and offer silken scarves as well as Frayer to this holy free.