The village of Hikkim is situated at a towering altitude of around 4,572 m (15,000 ft) above sea level, on the India-Tibet border in the Spiti Valley in Himachal Pradesh. The village is is one of the highest year-round inhabited villages in India. The majority of the people in Hikkim are Buddhists.
This tiny village is known for being the home to the highest post office in the world and also the location for the highest polling station.
The Hikkim post office was opened on November 5, 1983, and Mr. Rinchon Chhering has been the postmaster here since it started at the age of 22. This little post office (also Chhering’s home) is the only mode of communication for the residents of Hikkimis, there is no cell phone signal or internet to connect with. Like the rest of the valley, the post office is also shut for six months of the year because of snow.
Two runners take turns in carrying mail on foot from Hikkim to Kaza, 23 kms away, every morning. From Kaza, mail bags are taken by bus to Reckong Peo, onward to Shimla. From here it’s moved to a train to Kalka, then loaded on to a bus again headed to Delhi. From there the mail is sorted to make their journey by train or plane towards its destination.
Stamps:
Legendary Singers of India
(Issued 30-12-2016)
Nature - Drawing Competition
(Issued 25-01-2017)
Dancing - Joint Issue with Portugal
(Issued 07-01-2017)
