.....
Uplifted by the divine atmosphere and charmed by the scenery it is
difficult to tear oneself away from Kedarnath but
one has to resist the temptation for, it is a must to go to Badrinath and
complete the Teerth. It is now necessary to return
to Rudraprayag where Mandakini and the Alaknanda
mingle. Two roads branch off from Rudraprayag,
one to Sri Kedarnath along the banks of the Mandakini and the
other, along the banks of the Alaknanda to Sri Badrinath. The
border district of Chamoli begins from Gholtir,
10 kms. from Rudraprayag.
....
Gauchar
|
At an altitude of 790 mts., once a landing ground for
small planes used by the British and Pandit Nehru, in 1938,
it is now the same for the planes and helicopters of V.I.P.s as well as
a venue for an annual trade fair attracting thousands
from all over Uttrakhand to Gauchar. Gaily dressed and with
shining, smiling faces, the women adorned with heavy
silver ornaments, sing, twist and twirl to the gay rhythm of
ancient musical instruments. Before the Chinese occupation of Tibet,
the Gauchar Fair was for the main purpose of exhibiting Tibetan goods
with which Uttarakhand did a brisk trade. It is 12 kms. from Gholtir and
22 kms. from Rudraprayag. |
Karanprayag
|
Twelve kilometres from Gauchar and at a height of 788 metres Karanprayag
is the place where centuries ago, Karna, hero of the
Mahabharata, worshipped Surya, the Sun God, to grant him the
boon of the impregnable shield, which gave him invincibility in battle
and made him a hero. Named after him, it is also the confluence of
the Alaknanda and the Pindara Ganga, which rises from the Pindari Glacier
on the eastern flank of the great peak. Nanda Devi, towers above at 7,816
mtrs. and is surrounded by an array of glittering peaks, Trishul,
Duna Giri, Narad Ghunti, Mrigathuni and Maiktoli. Here is the ancient temple,
devoted to Uma and Karna. A road from here bifurcates from Ranikhet via
Gairsain ( Ranikhet -Karanprayag ....135 kms.). Beautifully located on
the banks of Pindar river, the tourist bungalow is a boon for pilgrims/tourists
who will find it most comfortable and relaxing. Karanprayag is linked by
a 49 kms. long motorable road to Gwaldam, which is the base for Roopkund,
Bedni Bugyal and Pindari Glacier treks. |
....
Roopkund
|
Anchored between Nanda Devi and the Nandakot peaks, the Pindari glacier,
though only eight kilometres long, has a steep gradient, to the pool named
Pindari Kanda, or Trail's pass, is over 5,000 metres high . Near the snout,
is a big abandoned moraine, grassed on the outer side, from the top
of which is obtained a magnificient view of the glaciers and the snowy
peaks around. Here, the Pindar has cut a gorge in thick glacial deposits,
yielding to terraces, while further down are numerous waterfalls,
hanging valleys and tremendous rock cliffs. The spurs are truncated by
an old giant glacier since melted and all along the splendid route can
be seen the outer cliff like face of the sanctuary wall.
The Pindar river turns west and joins the Alaknanda at Karanprayag. On
its north, there is a steep rise to the edge of the great snowy rampart
of the Nanda Devi sanctuary, where rise the cones of the Trishul massif,
7,122 metres. There is the glacial lake of Roopkund at a height of
4,778 metres and enveloped in mystery. In the crystal clear
waters of the lake were found the remains of 200 year-old
human skeletons and of horses. Some believe them to be those of General
Zorawar's soldiers, who died here in a vain attempt to conquer Tibet, while
others maintain that they are the skeletons of the zealous piligrims, who
200 years ago, went on the Raj Jat Yatra to Hemkund, at the base of Trishul.
....
This piligrimage is undertaken every 12 years when thousands of piligrims
from the northern hill districts, starting from the Nauti village, near
Karanprayag, escort the golden image of the Goddess Nanda Devi esconced
in a silver planquin to the rocky heights of the bugyals the beautiful
high altitude meadows, through the snow fields of Roopkund
and ultimately to the shrine of Nanda Devi. A four
horned ram leads the procession from the very beginning, yet after it reaches
the shrine of the Goddess, the ram suddenly disappears. The recurrence
of this phenomenon has led to the belief that the ram
is only born to lead the procession and,
when its mission is complete, it just fades away never to be seen
again. |
...
Route
-1
....
|
Place
|
Altitude
in mtrs.
|
Distance
in km.
|
Distance
in km.
|
| Karanprayag |
788 |
-
|
-
|
| Thrali |
333 |
44 (Motorable) |
44 |
| Debal |
1218 |
- (Motorable) |
57 |
| Faldiagon |
1354 |
8 (Trek) |
8 |
| Mundoli(T) |
2134 |
9 (Trek) |
17 |
| Wan (T) |
2439 |
14 (Trek) |
31 |
| Gairoli Patali |
3049 |
9 (Trek) |
40 |
| Patar Nauchauni |
3658 |
11 (Trek) |
51 |
| Roopkund |
5020 |
10 (Trek) |
61 |
....
Route
-2
....
|
Place
|
Altitude
in mtrs
|
Distance
in kms.
|
Distance
in km.
|
| Tharali |
333 |
-
|
-
|
| Debal |
1218 |
13 (Motorable) |
13 |
| Bagrigadh |
1645 |
8 (Trek) |
21 |
| Mundoli |
2134 |
3 (Trek) |
24 |
| Lohajang |
2133 |
1 (Trek) |
25 |
| Bedni Bugyal |
3354 |
10 (Trek) |
35 |
| Bistola |
4667 |
8 (Trek) |
43 |
| Roopkund |
5020 |
5 (Trek) |
48 |
| Jyurighatindhar |
5335 |
5 (Trek) |
53 |
| Homekund |
4061 |
8 (Trek) |
61 |
| Sutola |
2192 |
18 (Trek) |
79 |
| Badni Kund |
- |
10 (Trek) |
89 |
| Ghat |
1331 |
6 (Trek) |
105 |
The treks to Roopkund, passes through delightful alpine pasture lands and
snow fields, offering magnificent views of the Trishul Nanda Ghunti, Badrinath
peaks. The trek is usually extended to Homekund and Ghat which is 19 km
from Nandprayag.
...
The
nearest motor head is Debal (via Tharali), 57 km. from Karanprayag, a bufurcation
on Karanprayag - Ranikhet road. There are two routes to Roopkund, the 61
km trek, which is long and is followed during Rajat Yatra and another one,
35 km, which is taken by most of the trekkers. For these treks, both the
tables may be consulted.
....
From
Roopkund, one can approach Homekund directly or via Shailsamudra Glacier
and then trek to Ghat, 19 km from Nandprayag. For this round trek guide
is must.
.... |
