Valley of the Flowers National Park
The legendary Valley of the Flowers was first seen by a Brit when the mountaineer Frank Smythe arrived in the 1930s. Throughout the summer months (mid-June to mid-September) the valley is an enchanting sight with an impressive array of wildflowers while the snow-clad peaks including Nilgiri Parbat (6474 m) stand in bold relief against the skyline.

The valley is nearly 10km long and 2km wide, and is divided by the Pushpawati stream, into which several tiny streams and waterfalls merge. The valley has suffered the effects of large numbers of trekkers and shepherds in the past, leaving the authorities with little option but to create a national park. The current stipulation allows day walks into the valley but no overnight camping is permitted. This is the valley, which is the playground of fairies and nymphs.

Legends associate this valley with the area from where Hanumanji of Ramayan collected "Sanjeevani" herbs to revive Lakshmana, the younger brother of Rama.

The Trek towards the valley begins at Govind Ghat, after crossing the Alakananda River on a hanging bridge [this bridge had broken on my visit so from there only I had to return to base] The zigzag 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 Alakananda. 3kms further is the small, pretty hamlet, Pulna. Beyond this the swifter and between the green, rocky mountains you can catch the glimpse of snow-clad peaks. Then 7kms trail from Pulna to Bhyundar village and 5kms to Ghangaria the base camp for the trek. This was done by dandi by me. We camped in the log cabins in Ghangaria. After crossing a log bridge over the Laxman Ganga, 3 km from Ghangaria, the route to the Valley of flowers separates from that going to Hemkhund Sahib.

Hemkund Sahib
From Ghangaria, you can follow the Laxman Ganga to the lake at Hem Kund-quite a steep climb. In the Sikh holy book, the Granth Sahib, the Sikh Guru Gobind Singh recounts that in a previous life he meditated on the shores of lake surrounded by seven snowcapped mountains now recognized as Hem Kund. The trek from Ghangaria is 4 to 6 hours.

It is an important pilgrimage for the Hindus and Sikhs, as well as people from other faiths. There is a Sikh Gurudwara and a Lakshman Temple built on the bank of the lake. Encircled by seven snow-clad peaks and their associated glaciers, it reflects its surroundings enchantingly on its crystal clear serene waters. The glaciers from Hathi Parvat and Saptrishi peaks feed the lake and a small stream called Himganga flows out of this lake.

It is believed that Lakshman, the younger brother of Rama, meditated by the lake and regained his health after being severely wounded by Meghnath, son of the demon Ravana, during the battle.

Despite its ancient connections, Hemkund/Lokpal was discovered by a Sikh Havaldar, Solan Singh and became a major pilgrimage center only after 1930.