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"High in
the Himalayan ranges of Garhwal hills of Uttaranchal lies
an enchanted valley. Here flowerful pastures with clear
running streams are set against silver birches and shining
snow peak. Dew lies thick on the flowers, birds sing in
the surrounding forest and the air is pure and charged
with floral smells. Hidden from the probing eyes of
civilization, this valley had been known to the
inhabitants as the Bhyundar Valley, the playground of
fairies and nymphs.
Trespassing their celestial abode was avoided although
shepherds did take the liberty to graze their cattle here.
Legends associate this valley with the area from where
Hanumanji of Ramayana collected. 'Sanjeevani' herbs to
revive Lakshmana, the younger brother of Rama. Hanuman had
to visit far-flung areas in his search for the life-saving
herbs, some named after him."
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The Valley of Flowers National Park (87.50 km2,
latitude 30° 41' - 30° 48'N and longitude 79° 33' - 79°
46'E) is located in Chamoli Garhwal, about 595 km
northeast of India’s capital Delhi in the state of
Uttaranchal. The Valley of Flowers was declared World
Heritage Site in July 2005. Its altitude ranges from 3,200
m to 6,675 m. Such a variation in the altitude provides a
great diversity of landscape and microhabitats.
The
Valley was introduced to the world as the Valley of
Flowers by Frank S, Smith - mountaineer, explorer,
botanist who camped here for several weeks in the monsoon
of 1937 and did valuable exploratory work. He authored a
book called "The Valley of Flowers" which unveiled the
beauty and floral splendours of the valley and thus threw
open the doors of this verdant jewel to nature-enthusiasts
all over the world.
In 1939, Miss Margarate Legge, a botanist deputed by the
botanical gardens of Edinburgh arrived at the valley for
further studies. While she was traversing some rocky
slopes to collect flowers, she slipped off and was lost
for ever in the garden of the gods. Her sister later
visited the valley and erected a memorial on the spot
where she was buried by the locals.
The Track
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The
trek towards the Valley begins at Govind Ghat, after
crossing the Alaknanda river on a hanging bridge. The
zig-zag mule track straightens through an ascending
valley of terraced fields and vegetation. In the
midst, Laxman Ganga tumbles down in a haste to join
the Alaknanda. 3 kms. further is the small, pretty
hamlet, Pulna. Beyond this, the trek becomes more
exciting - the Laxman Ganga becomes swifter,and
betweenthe green, rocky mountains, you can catch a
glimpse of snow-clad peaks.
The 7 kms. trail from Pulna to Bhyundar village is
full of nature's scenic splendours including cascading
waterfalls and cold water springs. |
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Shrubs and wild roses grow abundantly and
Rhododendrons colour the area with pink and dark red.
Small wayside tea stalls run all across the route and
young and enthusiastic tourist guides can be engaged
at Bhyundar village. After resting awhile here, the
trek on the right bank of the Laxman Ganga continues
through the rich vegetation till a log bridge,
supported on huge boulders, is reached. Crossing over
to the left bank now, the trail becomes steeper and
harder and 2 kms. from here, you will reach Ghanghria,
the base camp for treks to Valley of Flowers and
Hernkund Sahib.
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Since
camping and overnight stay Is not allowed in the
Valley of Flowers, Ghanghria is the logical base camp
for the trek.
Travel beyond Ghanghria is on foot at Nature's pace
since the entry of ponies is prohibited. The trek is
subject to strict ecological discipline and the
trekker is expected to be concerned about the
ecosystern of the region.
After crossing a log bridge over the Laxman Ganga, 3
kms. from Ghanghria. the route of the Valley of
Flowers separates from that going to Hernkund
Sahib.The Laxman Ganga joins the Pushpawati river 400
mtrs. downstream. |
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The trek continues along
Pushpawati. A couple of kilometres ahead, the river is
crossed overto its right bank on another bridge and
this trail goes upto the Valley of Flowers. Snow
bridges can be seen spanning the river but their
strength should be properly judged if they are to be
used to cross the river. |
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