Dah Hanu, also known as Dah and Hanu, are the last Aryan villages in the country, in addition to being the only place in India where you can meet the Aryan tribe. Home to the Brokpa community, Include this famous place in your Ladakh trip and get a chance to learn a lot about the Indo-Aryan history, cultures and traditions.
Dah and Hanu are two villages located in the Dahanu valley of Leh district of Ladakh, which is the home of the Brokpa community. It is the only village of the Brokpa community in India that is open to tourists. The community here is believed to be Indo-Aryan, who came to the Indus Valley centuries ago. It follows Buddhism and worships animism.
Dah Hanu is popularly called the last Aryan village in India and is the only place in the country to meet the Aryan tribe. The community here still follows its tradition and marries within its own community, as the people here believe that Aryans can marry only Aryans.
Due to the low number of women in the tribe, some of them still practice polyandry. Although the education system has changed the marriage scenario to some extent in Dah Hanu, there are many of these youths who marry outside their community. They are not easily accepted by the tribe, and as a result, they need to settle their homes away from the village.
The temperature here in Dah Hanu is warmer than other parts of Leh as it is situated at a comparatively lower altitude. This climate helps the cultivation of apricot, walnuts, wine-grapes, and cherries here.
The harvesting time usually begins in September which is celebrated here as a festival, known as Bonona festival. The tribes also celebrate their local language festival, which is called the Brokpa language festival.
Highlights
• Pay a visit to the Dahanu Valley, home to the two villages of Dah and Hanu, known popularly as the only remaining Aryan villages in India
• Learn about the Aryan race from the Brokpa community that has been residing here for centuries, and are the only living descendants of the original Aryan or Indo-European race
• Witness the cultural diversity of these villages, and get a chance to interact with the people of the Brokpa or Drogpa tribes
• Capture the tribe in action, whilst they make their distinct headgear and ornaments by hand
• Enjoy taking a stroll in the local farms and orchards, and get your hands on delicious apricots, walnuts, cherries and wine-grapes at Dah Hanu
• Don’t forget to enjoy the Brokpa Language Festival when you visit these villages, and see how the community celebrates their local language here
How To Reach
Dah Hanu is at a distance of 188 km from Leh near the Indo-Pakistan border. It is situated between Khalaste and Batalik.
1. By Taxi: The best way to reach Dah Hanu is by road. To get there you have to follow the direction of Indus River flowing towards Pakistan via Leh-Srinagar Highway, NH, 1. You can either rent a taxi or self-drive, which takes approximately five hours to reach the village.
2. By Bus: You can also take a bus from Leh to Dah Hanu, whose fare is around Rs. 200 and it takes 6 hours to reach.
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Best Time To Visit
The best time to visit Dah Hanu is from June to October when the weather is not too hot or cold. Summers are quite hot here as the temperature reaches 40 degrees. The coldest season in Dah Hanu falls from November to April and at this time, the temperatures fall to -15 degrees.
The winter in Dah Hanu lasts from November to April and at this time the temperature drops to -15 degrees. So avoid going in the winter season.
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Other Essential Information
Travellers’ tip before visiting Dah Hanu
1. To witness the colourful Dah Hanu, visit at the time of the festival.
2. Dah Hanu is located in a remote area where you will not find any restaurants or restrooms. Therefore, pack plenty of food and water for the journey to the Aryan's village.
3. Always seek the permission of the villagers before clicking their photos.
4. As Dah Hanu is located near the border, you will need an Inner Line Permit to visit the village, which you will need to show in Khaltse.
5. You need to walk more here so keep comfortable shoes with you and only pack flats and hiking shoes.
6. If you are travelling even in summer, do not forget to carry your warm clothes, as Dah Hanu and the surrounding areas are cold throughout the year.
7. Dah Hanu has no accommodation, so it is advisable to take a day trip here.
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Tourism Board Alliances
Dah Hanu FAQs
Why is it called the Last Aryan village in Ladakh?
Centuries ago, Alexander the Great reached the Indus Valley from Rome to conquer it and then went on to spread his kingdom at Beas. Alexander retreated from Dah but some of his descendants settled here. They later lived here, built houses, started their own family, did farming and started living a peaceful life in the Indus Valley. Since then Das Hanu is known as the last Aryan village.
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How old is Dah Hanu?
Which god do Dar people worship?
The Dah people or Dar people worship their own stone god, which was in vogue for centuries. Although there is no record or literature related to this, the tribe people continued to follow what was left by their ancestors. They have been following Buddhism since the years when stories and beliefs have dimmed.
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What are the languages spoken in Dah Hanu?
What are the major attractions in Dah Hanu?
The major attraction of Dah Hanu is their two-day Aryan festival. During this, the Aryans come in their traditional costumes and perform for tourists. The festival is full of singing, dancing, and food. Apart from this, the lush green fields where villagers grow everything in the village itself are worth seeing. Apart from this, the lush green fields where villagers grow and cultivate everything are worth seeing.
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