The 500-Year-Old Mummy Sitting in Meditation | Spiti Valley

Hidden in the high-altitude village of Gue in Himachal Pradesh's Spiti Valley is a remarkably preserved Buddhist mummy, locally believed to be that of a monk named Sangha Tenzin. The body is preserved in a seated position, with a rosary in its hand, while hair, teeth and nails remain remarkably intact. Gue sits at almost 10,000 feet above sea level, where the cold and extremely dry environment can contribute to natural preservation. India's tourism website states that carbon dating places the remains around 1475 CE. However, the identification of the mummy as Sangha Tenzin is based largely on local tradition, and there is no definitive historical record confirming his identity. Likewise, the claim that he deliberately mummified himself through the Japanese practice known as sokushinbutsu should be treated cautiously. The evidence does not establish that this exact ritual was followed here. Local tradition also says that the monk sacrificed himself to protect the village from scorpions, but this is a cultural legend rather than a scientifically established event. What is certain is that the mummy's remarkable preservation, its remote Himalayan setting and the traditions surrounding it make Gue one of the most unusual sites associated with Buddhist mummification. 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/archevault 📺 Main Channel: @Archevault