HEMKUND AND VALLEY OF FLOWERS (Bhyundar Valley)

Jaipur   Ranikhet   Banglore

    A Lake (Kund) at high altitude, known as Hemkund (4329 mts.) lies in heavenly and snowy realms. A steep and picturesque trek along the swift flowing clear and icy streams, from Gobind Ghat to Ghangharia which is about 14 Kms. takes seven to eight hours when one finally gets to rest for the night. From Ghangharia to Hemkund one has to ascend further 6 Kms. which takes a painful and aching (and of course, a lot of soul searching as to why and what made you do this) four to six hours. Though, once there, the breath taking scenery and the serenity along with the harsh severity makes one feel very small and unimportant. The Lake or Kund is an ethereal beauty where I can sit for hours to muse (though the cold and the oxygen levelsdeem otherwise). It is an important pilgrimage for both Hindus and Sikhs. It is said that Lakshmana, the younger brother of Lord Rama, meditated by this Lake and regained his health after being severely wounded by Meghnath, son of the demon Ravana, during battle. A Sikh Gurudwara and a Lakshman temple have been built on the banks of the Lake. The Lake is encircled by seven snow clad peaks and their glorious glaciers. As per the holy Granth Sahib, Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Guru had meditated on the banks of this lake in one of his previous births.

    The Bhyundar Valley, or the playground of fairies and nymphs or more familiarly speaking the Valley of Flowers is an enchanted valley - an eden on earth - where myriads of species of flowers are set against the many bubbling brooks and streams with silver birches and shining snow peaks as backdrops. The flowers, the birds, the clean and virgin forest, the pure air makes the soul chaste and infinitely tranquil. The Valley was stumbled upon by Mr. Frank S. Smith - mountaineer, explorer, botanist - who camped here for several weeks in the monsoon of 1937 and did valuable exploratory work. He also authored a book called "The Valley of Flowers" which unveiled the beauty and floral splendours of the valley and introduced it to the world as the Valley of Flowers. In 1939, one Miss Margarate Legge, arrived at the Valley and while she was traversing some rocky slopes to collect flowers, she slipped off and was lost for ever. Her sister later visited the Valley and erected a memorial on the spot where she had been buried by the locals. The memorial is still there with the inscriptions :

    "I will lift mine eyes unto the Hills from whence cometh my strength"