Gue is a high altitude village in Spiti Valley on the way to Kaza. The small sleepy, indiscreet village at an altitude of almost 3000 metres houses India’s only known mummy preserved naturally. Village is located deep in the valley. Just three kilometres ahead of Sumdoh towards Tabo is a diversion towards Gue. Village is another 20 kilometres from there. Mummy is housed in a temple on a small hilltop at the end of the village.  Temple normally remains locked and one has to search for the keys at the neighbourhood, down in the village. There is a big temple under construction close to current temple.

Not much is known about the origin or identity of the mummy. No literature, just stories from the local villagers and hearsay. The mummy has been supposedly identified as that of monk Sangha Tenzin. It was found inside a tomb at Gue village in the cold and remote Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh, India. It is being said that Gue villagers have known about the mummy since 1975, when an earthquake struck the region and brought down a part of the tomb.

However due to the remoteness of Gue, the mummy’s existence has remained under wraps. Gue has camp of paramilitary Indo-Tibetan Border Police because of its proximity to China border. Hence it has lot of restricted movements as well. 

This is the spot on the road between Sumdoh and Hoorling where there is diversion for Gue

Small village of Gue located deep in the valley

View from the Gue temple site

On the left is the small temple where mummy is presently being kept, while on the right is the new temple being constructed

Small temple which houses the mummy

Mummy of monk sitting in a ‘dhyan’ (meditation)position

See the right hand of the mummy, as if holding beads

Another closer look of the mummy. Eyes are clearly visible

Closer look at the mummy. See how one hand supports the chin

People, mostly locals come to pray and offer here

Mummy inside the glass cabin

View of mummy from the top