World's 1000 beautiful tourist places

**Perfection** · 11-19-2007, 01:36 AM

Uttarakhand, India is the abode of the largest number of Hindu gods and is called "Dev Bhoomi", meaning Valley of Gods. Uttarakhand is a region of exquisite beauty and floral charms. It is a land of gods, garlanded by glaciers.

The Great Himalayan Range stretches from Krishna Giri mountains (Karamkoram) in the west to the river Brahmaputra in the east. The three highest peaks of the world - Mt. Everest, K2 and Kanchenjunga - are on this range.

**Perfection** · 11-21-2007, 11:10 AM

Haridwar is one of the holiest of holies of the Hindus located at around 200 km from Delhi. Dronacharya, the guru of the Pandava princes was born at Haridwar. There are always hundreds and thousands of people who come here to have a bath in the holy river.

The most popular bathing ghats at Haridwar are Har-Ki-Pairi, meaning the stepping stones of Vishnu. It is here that nectar fell out of kumbha (Pitcher) being carried by Jayanta. The tinkling temple bells fills the atmosphere with music. The devotees cast off small earthern lamps placed in tiny paper boats onto the river. The reflection of these myriad lights lends a magical aspect to the river.

From Haridwar,we proceed to Rishikesh for Yamnotri/Gangotri/Kedarnath/ Badrinath.

**Perfection** · 11-21-2007, 11:15 AM

Rishikesh is a land of worship and Yoga situated on the banks of the holy river Ganga. Numerous well known hermitages can be seen all along the road. It is 24 km from Haridwar located at the foot hills of Himalayas. The famous temple of Bharat, where he meditated and offered prayers for the well being of Ram, was constructed by Shri Guru Shankaracharya. Rishikesh is 310 km from New Delhi.

Lakshman Jhoola suspension bridge with a span of 140 m was constructed in 1939. Lakshman performed deep meditation for many years to rid himself of the sin of killing Meghnad in the battle with Ravan. A temple is located on this spot near Lakshman Jhoola.

Shivanad jhula, another suspension bridge across river Ganga is 2 km from Lakshman Jhoola. The banks of the river are filled with Ashrams and Yoga centres.

A bath at Triveni ghat, the confluence of Ganga, Yamuna and the subterranean Saraswati earns special merit.

From Rishikesh, the road is on the right banks of river Ganga up to Dev Prayag.

**Perfection** · 11-21-2007, 11:19 AM

Dev Prayag It is the first major confluence on this route, the confluence of Alaknanda and Bhagirathi rivers. In sanctity it comes next only to Triveni Sangam. Most of the priests of Badrinath live here during winter. Dev Prayag has a number of small temples. The Devi temple has a huge bell and can be heard from a great distance.

At Dev Prayag, we cross the holy Bhagirathi named after king Bhagirath who was instrumental in bringing her down on earth. The sons of his ancestor, Sagar, were cursed by a sage and could only be redeemed by taking a dip in the holy river Ganga which flowed in heaven. The unwavering perseverance of Bhagirath accomplish the task of bringing Ganga to earth. So Ganga is also called Bhagirathi on account of the superhuman efforts of the great king.

A 32 km road journey from Dev Prayag takes to Srinagar.

**Perfection** · 11-21-2007, 11:20 AM

Srinagar is believed to be established by Shri Guru Shankaracharya. The very name 'Shri Nagar', the dwelling place of god, conveys the immense sanctity of the town. Srinagar is situated in a vast plain and is famous for the Kamaleshwar Mahadev temple.

On the route one can see verdant forests of beautiful trees like deodar, blue pine, fir and spruce. Ganga shines like a streak of silver during the day and on moonlit nights. Here the river flows in plain forming vast white sand deltas.

From Srinagar, the road zigzags to Rudra Prayag.

**Perfection** · 11-21-2007, 11:22 AM

Rudra Prayag is at the confluence of Alaknanda and Mandakini rivers. The place derives its name from Rudra, one of the names of Shiva. There are various temples of Shiva and Annapurna Devi. An iron chain has been fixed at the confluence where steps lead to the fast flowing water.

Rudra Prayag was also a witness to an infamous man eating leopard. From 1918 to 1926, the beast killed more than 300 people before it was shot dead by the legendary Jim Corbett. India's first national park is named after Jim Corbett for his efforts for preserving wild life. The place where it was shot is just short of Rudra Prayag on the road from Srinagar. A monument stands at the exact spot of it's death.

ON THIS VERY SPOT WAS KILLED THE MAN EATING LEOPARD OF RUDRA PRAYAG BY JIM CORBETT ON 1 MAY 1926 AT 10 PM.

The road to Kedarnath temple bifurcates a Rudra Prayag. A new Rudra Prayag bypass road has been made on Srinagar - Kedarnath road.

The Badrinath road leads us to Karna Prayag.

**Perfection** · 11-21-2007, 11:24 AM

Karna Prayag is at the confluence of Alaknanda and Pindari rivers. The hillside around Karna Prayag are covered with jungles of pine. The morning breeze produces gentle rustling sounds in the pine jungles. At the confluence, the roaring rivers bring huge quantities of logs. Karna, the son of Kunti and Surya propitiated Surya at the holy confluence and was blessed with unusual might. Badrinath route from Kuamon (Almora) and Garhwal unites at Karna Prayag.

One road bifurcates from Karna Prayag to Gwaldam/Almora and the other goes via Nand Prayag to Badrinath. From the Karna Prayag - Gwaldam route, one can visit the mystery lake of Rookund and Homkund via Zorawar gali (5350 m).

**Perfection** · 11-21-2007, 03:36 PM

Nand Prayag is at the confluence of Alaknanda and Mandakini rivers. From here an old track leads to Tapoban over the Kuari pass. The route is an absolute trekker's delight.

After Nand Prayag, the Badrinath road reaches Chamoli. From here a road goes to Okhimath via Gopeshwar and meets the Kedarnath road. Chamoli is 15 km from Nand Prayag.

Another road from Nand Prayag leads to Ghat, from where one can trek to the famous Roopkund lake. The lake shot into fame in 1954 when scores of dead bodies were discovered in the area.

**Perfection** · 11-21-2007, 03:42 PM

Roopkund (5029 m) is a small glacial lake situated on the north eastern corner of Chamoli district in the lap of the famous peaks - Nanda Ghunti (6300 m) and Trishul (7120 m). Visitors has taken Skulls as memento with them. Presently one will get a single skull an around 25 leg bones on the banks of Roopkund. There are many theories and legends about the human skeletons found at the lake.

Once, hundreds of years ago, the king of Garhwal had a young daughter of great beauty called Bala Ampa. The king of Kannauj had a handsome son. This prince named Jasidhal, came to Garhwal on a shoot and stayed on as a royal guest. He fell in love with the princess and asked her hand in marriage. This was agreed and the marriage was arranged. So deeply was he in love that the rituals normally performed at weddings were ignored.

Nanda Devi, the presiding deity of Uttarakhand, was not given her due. As a result the kingdom of Kannauj fell on evil days. Enemies of the state gained strength. Royal astrologers were consulted by queen Bala Ampa. They ascribed the bad luck to the negligence in paying homage to Nanda Devi. Bala Ampa was pregnant and lest any evil should befall the child, a religious procession was immediately ordered to proceed to Nanda Devi. King Jasidhal jeered at the blind faith of the queen. However, he reluctantly gave permission for the procession, which started with great pomp and show and reached the village Wan. King Jasidhal wanted to combine pleasure with duty. Even dancing girls were taken along. This further aroused the wrath of goddess Nanda. The dancing girls were the first to be struck.As they started singing lewd songs, they were transformed into stones. Since that day, the exact spot of this occurrence is called Pather Nachauniyan or petrified dancers. Some buglers, drummers and other musicians with the party were the next to be struck down and they become ghosts. Even now, the sound of bugles and drums is heard at times as this unearthly procession moves in the area. A little beyond Bala Ampa had labour pains. She was taken to a cave where a daughter was born to her. The cave to be called Bala Ampa ka Khelra or the maternity home of Bala Ampa. This cave is about 5 km short of Roopkund.

As the procession arrived at the lake, the full fury of the elements hit them. A severe blizzard started with attendant and avalanches which engulfed the whole party. Here they lay for centuries till discovered in the early fifties. Others believe that the skeletons are of a contingent of the army General Zorawar Singh, a Dogra General who attacked and conquered the western Tibet in 1841.

**Perfection** · 11-21-2007, 03:44 PM

Pipalkoti : A 17 km journey takes one to Pipalkoti, which is famous for its cane and bamboo baskets of great variety and utility. The road from Pipalkoti crosses Garud Ganga, Birehi Ganga and Patal Ganga before reaching Helang.

Helang : It is 17 km from Pipalkoti on the Badrinath route. Kalpeshwar, one of the shrines of Panch Kedar lies 9 km from Helang. A 14 km journey takes to Joshimath (5 hour travel from Karna Prayag).