Uttarakhand Devbhoomi - Fire in the Hills

On a recent trek I managed to get a few pictures of one of the small forest fires that plague the Himalayas just before the monsoon starts.

Some are started by local people clearing land for cultivation or clearing out the underbrush, particularly the pine needles which contribute to small fires spreading into huge fires. Some are caused by carelessness. But most are caused by lightning. The storms that come just before monsoon season are incredibly extreme. The thunder and lightning is dramatic. One reads in the newspapers about shepherds up in the hills or village people out collecting wood or their crops being struck by the lightning.

There is no fire-fighting facilities in the Himalayas. No brigades of firefighters or water bombers such as one finds in North America or Europe. The fires just burn themselves out.

There have been times when I’ve been on the road and driven very close to some of these fires. This is particularly the case near Rajaji National Park just southeast of Dehra Dun. The smoke was so thick it was like driving through heavy fog. And one could see the flames at a little distance through the trees.

When the fires approach the highways sometimes the local police or the army will come and close the road until it either burns out or passes the highway. And most villages remove trees and brush around them making something of a fire break in case there is a fire.

                                               Fire starting

                                         Another view of the fire

                                         Fire in the mountains

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Information about Hemkunt Sahib Yatra, Pilgrimage Gurdwara in India (Uttarakhand Devbhoomi)

Sikh shrine present in Uttarakhand state in India at a place called Lokpal, which is now associated with the tenth Guru, Guru Gobind Singh.

However, what distinguishes it from other historical sites linked to the great Guru is that this site is connected to the Guru’s previous incarnation as the mighty warrior, Dusht Daman. According to some interpretations, the tenth Sikh Guru mentions this place in his composition Bachitar Natak which is found in the Dasam Granth, the second most important scripture of the Sikhs. But it was not until the twentieth century after many long years of searching that Hemkunt Sahib was finally discovered or (re-discovered).

In the Indian epic and Puranic literature, Himalayan landscapes are described as the dwelling places of gods and goddesses. Pilgrimage shrines mark the places where the landforms themselves – mountains, rivers, forests, and lakes – are said to have acquired sacred qualities. High above the tree line, in the midst of a natural rock garden of moss, ferns, and flowers, is one such sacred place: a small, blue-green lake fed by water which cascades down from the surrounding mountain walls.
Background

Located in the Uttarkhand Himalayas bordering Tibet and Nepal, it is accessible only between June and October when the sun and monsoon rains melt the ice and snow that are its namesake. Then, the steep stone footpath that leads to the lake is crowded with pilgrims and tourists. They journey to the base of the route on foot from neighbouring mountain valleys, or from the plains in buses, cars, and trucks, on scooters and bicycles, even by foot. Then for two days they climb upward. Some walk, some ride mules, and some are carried by porters.

Finally, at the top of more than a thousand stone steps, the holy lake, The Sri Hemkunt Sahib Gurdwara, and the Sri Lakshman Mandir come into view. High in the snow capped mountains of the Himalayas this site has been hidden from sight for eons. For thousands of years this place has remained unknown to humans, a place of utter beauty and peaceful serenity. Here a natural lake lies on a plateau at a height of 15,000 feet surrounded by seven snow clad peaks. To the Sikhs this place is known a Hemkunt Sahib.

Before this site was discovered by the Sikhs it was known locally as Lokpal, which translates to ‘protector of the world’. Long a place of worship and pilgrimage by the local Hindu population, a place linked to the hindu trinity of the creator – Brahma, the sustainer – Vishnu and the destroyer – Shiva. The Vedas and Purana texts of ancient India mention the Himalayas as the abode of the gods and goddesses, the locals tell a modified version of the Ramayana which actually is cast in far off Lanka (Sri Lanka). tales of Lakshman, Vishu and Hanuman.

In the historic version Lakshman the brother of Rama is mortally wounded in battle while he is leading Hanuman’s army of Monkeys against some demons sent by Raavana the villianous Demon Ruler of Lanka who has stolenSita the wife of Rama. To save the fallen hero the Hindu God Hanuman jumps all the way from Lanka (Sri Lanka) to the Himalayas to get a rare plant that will save Lakhsmans life.

In the local version Lakhsman, was brought to the shores of this lake by his wife. Here she prayed to Hanuman the (Vanara) or monkey god to save Lakhsman’s life. Hanuman heard her prayers and found the life giving herb called Sanjivani Bhutti, this was given to Lakshman and he was revived. The gods were overjoyed and went to Lord Bramha to give thanks, seek his blessing and protection from the demons who ravaged the world. In their version the myth of Hanuman and Lakhsman has been blended with Sikhi to include Guru Nanak and Guru Gobind Singh, whereby Lord Brahma told them that only Nanak the ‘saviour of the universe’ can assist them in his tenth incarnation, in which, the tales relate, he will destroy evil and tyranny and will become the protector of the holy people.

Detailed History

Sikhs believe that this holy place, known as Hemkunt (lake of ice/lit. cut in the snow), is the tap asthan (place of meditation and prayer) at which the tenth and final living Guru of the Sikhs achieved union with God in his previous incarnation. From there, the Guru was summoned by God to be reborn into the world to teach the people the true path. The temple built on the shore of the lake commemorates his mission. It also shelters the Guru Granth Sahib, the eternal scriptural Guru for the Sikh community. The community is itself recognized as a collective Guru, and pilgrims, as they walk the path toward Hemkunt, share the sacred journey with its members.

In this way, all three forms of the Guru – the source of spiritual guidance – are understood to be present at Hemkunt. Sikh pilgrims go there to be inspired to walk the same difficult path that the Guru walked, both in body and in spirit, and to, through the Guru’s grace, realize their connection with God in the same place where the Guru realized his. At Hemkunt Sahib, Sikhs feel closer to the Guru and, through the Guru, closer to God. Gurudwara Hemkunt in the Himalayas is also regarded as one of the holiest places of the Sikhs. It was there that Sri Guru Gobind Singh the tenth and last Guru of the Sikhs is reported to have meditated in his previous life.

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Munsiyari Hill station Uttarakhand tourism

Munsiyari, the hill s stationin the Pithoragarh section of the hill-state of Uttarakhand can be found at the platform of the excellent Himalayan hill range. As exclusive as its name, this position has progressed itself as the newest preferred hill place in the condition. Located at an level of about 7,200 ft, Munsiyari is a trekker’s residence since a lot of the excellent Himalayan 
climbing shoes off from this little residence of hills and natural jungles. The name indicates a ‘place with snow’ and when winter months season is kilometers away from the rest of the nation, this position accumulates up smooth layers of snowfall over its natural sheath but the impact only comes out more positive.
The whiteness around the Goriganga river bank are sensible reason to spend a person's winter weather holidays, however, for the sport hunters this position is a energetic identify during summer time season time.And for those who never mind the periodic disturbance, Munsiyari is a position to be in any part of the year. Never be amazed when you identify different types of people viewing this little town-from meditation spirits, mountaineers, glacier fanatics, trekkers, characteristics fans to exhausted town folk-this position has respond to all the needs. For the characteristics fans, the location is home of leopard, panther, hill endure, musk deer and other creatures and wildlife.
Munsiyari is a new development as a vacationer position in Uttarakhand , until lately Munsiyari was a limited position in Himalayan inner range wedged in between region of Indian , Chinese suppliers & Nepal, restrctions have reduced now, It has placed Munsiyari on vacationer map.



Visiting Munsiyari is completely a different experiance , In rises reduced gets to woodlands are abalze with rhododendrons jungles, Hill outrageous birds like singing yeast infection, wag end,hawk,cuckoo, falcon,serpent eagle are discovered here, Wildlife like Leopard,Panther,Mountain endure,Musk deer are discovered here in Munsiyari Woods.
One can see Panchuli Mountains look like as five fireplaces, Stream Goriganga moves by Munsiyari and pipes at 18 kms lengthy Milam Glacier and combines with Balati Snow and Panchuli snowfields, Subject of Gori has several going tracks and known as trekkers heaven, Some hikes are very well-known like trekk to Milam, Namik Trekk,Ralan Glacier trekk etc. Though allows are necessary for Innerline hikes.                                        
Jeep Safaries are way to arrive at Madkote (22 Kms) , Baneanani and Jauljibi ( 66 kms), onway you can see amazing perspective of mountain surroundings and drops, Birthi Comes (31 Kms), Balati Town is a well-known travel where you will see wonderful opinions of cold Himalayas and Maheshwari kund is a peaceful pond ornamented by wetlands overflowing with lifestyle. Tubing can be done at Gori Ganga , In winter seasons Downhill runs of Khaliatop and Betuldhar offer skking options.
How to Reach Munsiyari
Munsiyari is located at a distance of 650 Kms from Delhi and 260 kms from Kathgodam Railway station, one can avail taxies from Delhi & Kathgodam for Munsiyari, One small hill airstrip is located at Naini Saini in Pithoragarh ( 130 Kms from Munsiyari), One can have a night stay at Nainital (310 Kms) , Distance from Nainital to Munsiyari is 290 kms , and roads are decent and one can full their diesel / Petrol tanks at Almora / Bageshwar.

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