Rammed earth buildings, a distinctive architectural feature, are commonly found in the Spiti river valley within the 'Lahaul and Spiti' district of Himachal Pradesh and the union territory of Ladakh.
This building style, also known as 'Spitian Architecture' in scholarly literature, originated from the Buddhist cultural heritage of the region. It is particularly suited to the mountainous desert terrain where rammed earth is abundant, while natural resources like stone and timber are scarce.
The practice of rammed earth construction is deeply ingrained in the Spiti Valley's traditions, persisting even in contemporary building endeavors. Notably, the 'Key Gompa Monastery', standing for approximately a millennium, serves as a testament to this ancient technique's endurance.
Rammed earth construction remains prevalent in rural areas such as Lahaul and Spiti district villages like Lasar, Hansa, Kyato, and others along the Manali to Kaza route. Similarly, it can be observed in Leh's union territory villages like Rumtse and Miru along the Manali to Leh route, as well as in Ladakh's Nimmu, Nurla, Lamayaro, and others along the Leh to Srinagar route. These regions, falling under seismic zone IV according to India's current seismic zonation map, are also characterized by gentle to moderate slopes.
In these constructions, rammed earth forms the walls, while stones are utilized for foundations and raised platforms. Bamboo or timber, combined with mud, is employed for flooring and roofing systems. This blend of materials reflects the adaptability and sustainability ingrained in the architectural heritage of the region.
In these constructions, rammed earth forms the walls, while stones are utilized for foundations and raised platforms.