High in the folds of Spiti, a short detour off the road to Tabo, the tiny village of Gue guards one of the Himalaya's strangest treasures: the naturally preserved body of a Buddhist monk who died more than five hundred years ago. Sitting upright in a glass case, with skin, hair and teeth still intact, the Giu Mummy is unlike anything else you will see in India.
The story of Sangha Tenzin
The mummy is believed to be that of Sangha Tenzin, a monk carbon-dated by researchers to around 1475. Local accounts say he undertook a form of self-mummification, and Spiti's cold, dry, high-altitude air did the rest — no chemicals, no wrapping. The body was rediscovered in 1975 when an earthquake damaged the old stupa that housed it. It now rests in a small shrine in Gue, where villagers care for it and pilgrims come to pay their respects.
Visiting Gue
- Where it is: Gue (also spelled Giu) lies about 8 km off the main highway near Sumdo, on the eastern side of Spiti towards the Kinnaur border.
- Altitude: the village sits around 3,000 m (roughly 10,000 ft), so you will likely already be acclimatised if you have been travelling through Spiti.
- Entry: the village society charges a small fee (around ₹30 per person) that helps maintain the shrine.
- Etiquette: this is a sacred site, not a curiosity — remove shoes where asked, keep voices low and follow the photography rules inside.
How to reach Gue from Naggar
Gue is deep in Spiti, so it fits naturally into a longer valley circuit rather than a quick visit. From Naggar, most travellers drive via Manali, the Atal Tunnel and the Kunzum Pass to Kaza, then continue east towards Tabo; Gue is a signposted turn near Sumdo, roughly a couple of hours beyond Kaza. Many people combine it with Tabo's ancient monastery and the Dhankar cliff-top gompa on the same stretch of road.
Practical tips
- Best season: June to September, when the Spiti roads are open and clear.
- Acclimatise first: spend a night or two lower in the valley before heading this high.
- Carry essentials: fuel, cash and water are scarce this far east — stock up in Kaza.
A journey to Gue is really a journey through all of Spiti, and it pays to begin well rested from the green side of the mountains. Ghar in the Hills in Naggar makes a comfortable staging point before you set off for the high desert.
Curious to stand before a 500-year-old monk? Plan your Spiti loop from the Kullu valley and book your stay at Ghar in the Hills to start the adventure gently.