Nelong Valley: The Hidden Jewel of Uttarakhand

The Hidden Jewel of Uttarakhand

   The hand-built wooden bridge that was once used for Indo-China trade in Nelong Valley

Nicknamed as ‘Ladakh of Uttarakhand’ due to its striking resemblance to the famed landscape of Ladakh in Jammu and Kashmir, Nelong valley has been off limits for tourists for more than half-a-century since the 1962 Sino-Indian war, due to its proximity to the Chinese border. That changed in May 2015, when the shrouded valley opened its doors for the first time since 1962. 

A Gem within a Gem

Situated in the Uttarkashi district, the mesmerizing Nelong valley lies within the Gangotri National Park. Just 23km from Bhaironghati, this nature’s delight is just a stone’s throw away from the revered Gangotri shrine. As opposed to the lush green background of the Uttarakhand Himalayas, Nelong valley is a cold desert with scarce vegetation and wildlife, imitating the Tibetan plateau. Still, home to the rare and elusive Snow Leopard, the valley offers some of the spectacular Himalayan landscapes to leave you awestruck.
In addition to that, this veiled valley was a part of the arduous Sino-Indian trade route which lasted for centuries. A hand-built wooden bridge which is still present from those days evidently confirms it.

Lukewarm Response, Govt. Vows to Pull up Socks

Despite opening its doors to the public earlier this year, the Nelong valley failed to generate enough tourism for the state in past six months, with a footfall of only 200 tourists. For Uttarakhand, which relies substantially on tourism to generate revenue, this cold response was a setback. Inadequate publicity was one of the reasons for the low footfall. Retired bureaucrat S S Pangtey concurs. “It is a remote, virgin area that can turn into an adventure tourism hot-spot if the state provides ample publicity.” Another reason for the no-show can be credited to the bad roads. Forest minister Dinesh Aggarwal assures that the roads leading to the valley will be improved in addition to the proper promotion of this newfound treasure by next season. However, whether Forest ministry keeps its promise or not, only time will tell.

 A mesmerizing view of Nelong Valley in Uttarakhand.

Experts believe that the scenic and enchanting Nelong valley has the potential to spearhead tourism in Uttarakhand, just like Valley of Flowers in Chamoli district which attracts thousands of tourists and nature enthusiasts every year. It is a golden opportunity for the Uttarakhand government to improve the tourism sector in the state.

Nelong valley is open to the Indian public from May to November. However, entry to the foreigners is not allowed, yet.

 

Read More

Kedarnath trekking tracks to be laid out new before Char Dham Yatra'14 in Uttarakhand

The Chief Minister of Uttarakhand state Mr. Harish Rawat recently announced some good news for all locals and pilgrims planning to visit the Kedarnath shrine soon. Two important trekking tracks leading up to the famous Kedarnath temple dedicated to Lord Shiva were completely damaged in the mammoth floods that affected the state during June 2013. Therefore, the State Government has recently announced that plans have started to reconstruct two tracks – one running from Rambara to Gaurikund for a length of 10km and other running from Rambara to Kedarnath for a length of 8km. For now, the Government has decided to renovate these tracks by the second week of May, right in time for the Char Dham Yatra in 2014, when thousands of pilgrims are expected to trek all the way up to the Kedarnath temple using these routes.

A final plan detailing the length and measurements of these tracks has been planned for after having fruitful discussions with the experts at NDRF (National Disaster Response Force) and GSI (Geological Survey of India). On 10th March 2014, the CM confirmed to the media that reconstruction of these tracks will startanytime soon once the weather brightens up in the state. He also stated that since these two tracks were very important for the region’s economy, they are being worked upon with great focus given to intricate details. Char Dham Yatra will be resuming by second week of June and the CM confirmed that the renovationwork is being planned in such a way to get over before this Yatra. A senior IAS officer from Uttarakhand confirmed that the roads are being constructed after careful discussions with experts from the disastermanagement committee of the state and that once there is a slight improvement in climate, work will start in full swing to target a tentative completion deadline of May second week.

Read More

TEMPLES IN UTTARAKHAND - SURKANDA DEVI TEMPLE

Surkanda Devi temple is one of the famous and highly worshipped places of Uttarakhand state.The temple is situated in the Tehri Garhwal district of Uttarakhand and is at a height of 10,000 feet. Surkanda devi temple is dedicated to Parvati devi who was the wife of Lord Shiva. The legends say that the Parvati became Sati (burnt alive) after an argument with her father.When Lord Shiva came to know about this, he lost his temper and did Tandav and flew with the ashes of his wife.During his journey with ashes the head part of the devi fell at this place which gave the name as – Shree Khanda which stands for head which gradually became Surkanda.



[ View of the new temple ]

The temple is located on a hill and one has to trek for around 1.5 kilometers from the base – Kaddukhal. For the people who cannot trek, there are horses and ponies available at low costs around 200 rupees.


There is a huge belief of blessings and people visit this place for taking blessings and “mannats”. Once a year there is a fair organized at the temple on the occasion of Ganga Dusshera and high number of followers visit the temple during this period.



[One gets a view of lofty peaks and greenery alongside the road]

The place is located about 30 kilometres from the hill station Mussoorie and around 60 kilometres from Dehradun- the capital city of Uttarakhand. The roads are in very good condition and temple is easily accessible. A large part of Tourists visiting Mussoorie and Dhanaulti visit Surkanda Mata Temple and during the summer seasons the rush increases comparatively to the other part of the year.



[Way to Surkanda Devi]

During winters there is moderate snowfall in the region which makes the trip highly enjoyable and fills it with fun.

Once the person reaches the top he is welcomed by the cool breeze which hits on the forehead and gives a very fresh and heavenly feeling. There is a eye soothing, heart occupying view of 360 degrees from the top of the hill which brings the camera in use.

The old temple has been renovated in past few years and will be brought to the existence during Ganga Dusshera 2013. There are small tea and snacks shops available on the top of the hill and having a maggie and tea with biscuits when the mild wind is blowing things is a very rich experience.

During the trip one can stop at Dhanaulti and enjoy a peaceful time in presence of loads of Pine trees.

There are budget hotels available in the area to stay for overnight .

Read More

UTTARAKHAND DEVBHOOMI - KEDARNATH TEMPLE OPENS ON MAY FOUR

गोपेश्वर: शीतकाल में छह महीने बंद रहने के बाद गढ़वाल हिमालय की उंची पहाड़ियों पर स्थित भगवान शिव के धाम केदारनाथ मंदिर के कपाट श्रद्धालुओं के लिये इस वर्ष चार मई को खोल दिये जायेंगे ।

इसी के साथ उत्तराखंड के चार धाम के नाम से प्रसिद्व चारों मंदिरों के द्वार खुलने की तारीखें घोषित हो गयी हैं । इस वर्ष चारधाम यात्रा मई के प्रथम सप्ताह से शुरू हो जायेगी । बदरीनाथ केदारनाथ मंदिर समिति के सूत्रों ने यहां बताया कि मंदिर खोले जाने का मुहूर्त आज महाशिवरात्रि के पावन पर्व पर भगवान शिव के शीतकालीन प्रवास स्थल रूद्रप्रयाग जिले के उखीमठ में मंदिर समिति के पदाधिकारियों तथा धर्माधिकारियों की मौजूदगी में निकाला गया ।

सूत्रों के अनुसार, केदारनाथ मंदिर के कपाट चार मई को सुबह छह बजे श्रद्धालुओं के लिये खोले जायेंगे । इससे पहले, भगवान शिव की उत्सवयात्रा उखीमठ से 30 अप्रैल को रवाना होगी जो तीन मई की शाम केदारनाथ पहुंचेगी ।

चमोली जिले में स्थित बदरीनाथ मंदिर के कपाट पांच मई को खोले जायेंगे जबकि गंगोत्री और यमुनोत्री मंदिर के कपाट दो मई को अक्षय तृतीया के दिन खुलेंगे । गढ़वाल पहाड़ियों पर 10,000 फुट की उंचाई पर स्थित चारों धामों के कपाट हर साल अक्तूबर-नवंबर में शीतकाल के दौरान श्रद्धालुओं के लिये बंद कर दिये जाते हैं जो अगले साल अप्रैल-मई में दोबारा खोल दिये जाते हैं ।

गढ़वाल की आर्थिकी की रीढ़ मानी जाने वाली चारधाम यात्रा में छह माह के सीजन के दौरान देश विदेश से लाखों श्रद्घालु आते हैं । हालांकि गत वर्ष आयी भीषण प्राकृतिक आपदा में जनहानि होने के साथ ही बड़े स्तर पर चारधाम जाने वाले रास्ते भी प्रभावित हुए थे । इस बारे में हालांकि राज्य सरकार ने दावा किया है कि यात्रा शुरू होने से पहले ही सभी तरह की व्यवस्था कर दी जायेगी जिससे आने वाले श्रद्धालुओं को कोई परेशानी नहीं होगी

Read More