The cave temples demonstrate an exception concerning temple typologies in the Western Himalaya. The caves of Saspol are a well preserved example of this type.
The cave temples of Saspol were connected with hermitages and are situated in a nearly vertical rock out of conglomerate in the North West of the village of Saspol, which is littered with several caves. On the hill nearby an impressive castle ruin constructed out of rammed earth emphasizes the importance of the site. From this fortress the Alchi chos’kor can be seen which has their origin in the same period according to Ch. Luczanits.
The main temple (2) in the middle was originally hard to get access to, nowadays there are stairs which make the access easier. This temple is a simple, compact room which is covered with wall-paintings of high quality. The ceiling is a naturally vault, the walls have been rectified and prepared with clay for the paintings. The temple left to the main temple (1) is open to the front like a niche. The wall-paintings are very much bleached out however the original paintings can be recognized. An adjoining smaller room shows no decoration.
The cave at the right of the temple (3) is smaller and something special because it is the upper floor of a two-storied cave. Due to the wall-paintings the wall with the entrance has been added later. The fourth cave (4) which is located afield and higher reminds of the outmost left temple (1) in it’s shape of a niche. Though the ceiling collapsed fragments of paintings are left.

Fotos: Carmen Auer / Holger Neuwirth