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Chamoli
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Ten kilometres from Nandaprayag, historic Chamoli
is mentioned in the Taleshwar Copper Plate Grant, one of the plates left
behind by the ancient Katyuri kings, who ruled Kumaon from the time of
the Gupta dynasty (3rd century A.D.) onwards, till the 14 the century,
when the Chand kings, rose to power. The plate reveals
that the ancient capital of Brahmpura had one of its administrative centres
at Chamoli. |
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At a height of 960 metres, this pretty little town is the capital of Chamoli
which is the middle district of the three border districts and which is
covered by the basin of Alaknanda, the feeding tributary of the Bhagirathi,
which it joins at Deoprayag. A motor road links the two roads from Guptakashi
to Chamoli via Ukhimath, Gopeshwar. On the way is the lone peak of
the Tungnath temple, which is situatedat 3,890 metres, higher than both
Kedarnath or Badrinath. On the way to these temples are Ukhimath and Joshimath,
which are also important religious spots, while others are Trijuginarayan,
5 km from Soneprayag, and Madhyamaheshwar, to the north-east of Guptakashi. |
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The whole district is full of shrines, attracting thousands of piligrims
every year. Small and big temples are scattered all along the route and
there are places to stay called 'Chattis'. |
| Chamoli, the capital, was originally
a chatti type group of huts on the banks of the Alaknanda at the junction
of mule tracks that led to Badrinath and Kedarnath. The river was crossed
by a slender rope bridge that swayed precariously in the breeze, till the
British built a road from Rishikesh to Chamoli chatti, as it was then known. |
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After extending the road to Pipalkoti, a new settlement came up, it was
decided to make rocky Chamoli the capital, and the top of a nearby hillside
was flattened with bull-dozers. A new motor road bridge over the Alaknanda
was built for the road connecting the new town to Guptakashi. Later,
the headquaters were shifted to Gopeshwer, on the Chamoli - Guptakashi
road. In the lovely town are found brightly coloured flowers that
adorn it in the early summer, which includes the scarlet rhododendron.
Accommodation is available at the Tourist Bungalow, Forest Rest House,
P.W.D. Inspection House, besides chattis and Dharamsalas.
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Places
to See
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| Birahi
Eight
kilometers from Chamoli and at a height of 1,100 metres at Birahi, the
Birahi Ganga joins the Alaknanda. In the upper reaches of the Birahi valley
exists a beautiful artificial lake, Gohna, which blocks the river Birahi-ganga.
The lake was located north of Chamoli on the way to Badrinath. At
that time the lake was three times bigger than Naini lake at Nainital.
The
major portion of the lake, however, disappeared in 1970, but the remaining
portion measuring 300 yds. in length and 400 yds. in breadth, still exists.
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With the back-drop of the Nanda Ghunti snow-capped peak, the
reflection of which shimmers in the clear waters, the lake abounds in trout
and excellent fishing, along with a majestic view of snow-clad Trishul.
A rest house is conveniently located here. |
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Pipalkoti
At an elevation of 1,219 metres and ten kilometres from Birahi, Pipalkoti
is a busy and large town cradled in the lap of lush green mountain and
terraced fields. The simple eating places – chattis - are run by typically
warm hearted folk and offer rest and the hospitality of the hills. |
| Here, Dharamshalas and
a guest house is available for piligrims/tourists, which is maintained
and run by the Temple Committee. There is, besides, a Tent Colony and Tourist
Bungalow run by the Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam and a P.W.D. Rest
House. |
| Garur
Ganga
Five
kilometers from Pipalkoti located, on the banks of the Gurud Ganga, and
at an elevation of 1,372 metres, is a chatti, small, but rich in legend.
Here, it was that, when the lord Badrinath was on the way to Badrivan,
his Mount, Garud, the eagle, was left behind. |
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| Garud decided to live
on the banks of this stream and indulge in the favourite diet of eagles
--snakes. People believe that the pebbles and stones on the beach here
are antidotes to snake bite. These are eagerly collected and kept at home
to ward off snakes, scorpions and other poisonous insects.
Garud Ganga affords delightful views of the snow-clad Himalayan peaks.
A sheep breeding research centre is situated here.Garud Ganga and Patal
Ganga, both are 6 kms. apart. |
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Tangani
The road now rises to 1,673 metres, 6 kms.
away from Garud Ganga, there is located the quaint and charming chatti
of Tangani, a popular spot with visitors who buy
readily, the attractive but inexpensive baskets made here. |
| Helang
and Kalpeshwar
The
road goes to Helang, at an altitude of 1,524 metres (500 ft.) on
the way to Joshimath. |
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Nestling in the beautiful valley of Urgam is the Kalpeshwar Temple, one
of the Panch Kedars, where there is an ancient temple to Shiva, which is
approached by a route from Helang, nine kilometres from Tangani. Helang
is 13 kilometres before Joshimath. |
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Accommodation
There
are number of guest houses, ashrams and dharamshalas
at this place.
Accessibility
There are
a number of Buses and Trains from Delhi or Dehra Dun to Chamoli.
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