Scenic Water Body Images of Garhwal, Uttarakhand

Garhwal Himalayas in Uttarakhand also known as Devbhoomi is source of two sacred rivers of India namely Ganga and Yamuna. The rivers and their tributaries meander along the hilly terrain on their journey downstream. A few of the rivers merge together to be called as prayag. Prayags are hugely popular and worthwhile destinations for devout and layman for their religious importance and spectacular views they offer. The high altitude glacial lakes of Garhwal hills – some of them are pilgrimage destinations offering trekkers the pleasure of some adventure which they relish. Few selected water body images from my trips to Garhwal from 2006 through 2011 have been posted as follows. 

Image 1

Caption: Devprayag top view

Description: Merely 74 km uphill from sacred town of Rishkesh, one gets a spectacular view of Devprayag, which is the confluence of rivers Bhagirathi and Alaknanda and flows after intermingling in form of Ganga.

Image 2

Caption: Devprayag a close view

Description: If one has the time in hand, a downward walk along the steps takes one to the touching distance of water  of  these twin rivers.

Image 3

Caption: Rudraprayag a top view

Description: Further uphill drive of another 70 km brings one to a place where one gets a grand view of Rudraprayag which is the confluence of rivers Alaknanda and Mandakini. 

Image 4

Caption: Rudraprayg a close view

Description: If one can grab some more time and go down to the actual spot of confluence, the view is simply awesome.

Image 5

Caption: Vishnuprayag

Description: Leaving behind Joshimath and traveling 10 km on the way to Badrinath (30 km from Joshiarth), one definitely takes a break to enjoy the beauty of the confluence of rivers Alaknanda and Dhauliganga at Vishnuprayag.   

*Image 6
Caption: Nandprayag
Description: Confluence of rivers Alaknanda and Nandakini lies at a distance of 80 km from Badrinath.

 
Image 7

Caption: Confluence of Alaknanda and Saraswati River

Description: Visitors to Badrinath invariably take a 2 km drive for sightseeing trip to Mana village and come across this wonderful confluence of rivers Alaknanda and Saraswati.

Image 8

Caption: Karnaprayag

Description: From Badrianth traveling 125 km by road, one reaches the destination of Karnaprayag - the confluence of rivers Alaknanda and Pindar. Karnaprayag offers excellent tourist facilities to spend a few days on hotels overlooking the prayag.

Image 9

Caption: River Mandakini view at Kedarnath

Description: Source of river Mandakini being from glacier of Kedarnath mountain peak, the flowing river downstream along the town, makes an enticing scene of a perfect landscape.

Image 10

Caption: Yamuna river at Sayanachatti

Description: Sayanachatti is overnight destination for undertaking next days trek to Yamunotri. The view from steel bridge of roaring river Yamuna is view to cherish.

Image 11

Caption: Tehri Dam over Bhagirathi

Description: On the way to Gangotri, one passes through the town of Utttarkashi and Tehri dam over the river Bhagirathi. The road along the hill alongside periphery of river Bhagirathi gives a spell binding view of the river and the dam.

Image 12

Caption: Hemkund

Description: A trek of 7 km from Ghnagaria takes one to Sri Gurudwara Hemkunt Sahib. The glacial lake surrounded by snow peaks at an altitude of 15,000’ leaves one awe-struck.

Image 13

Caption: On way to Valley Of flowers

Description: A trek of 2 km from Ghangaria takes one to The valley of flowers. River Pushpavati meanders underneath the snow bridge carrying with it the snow-melt.

Image 14

Caption: Deoria Tal

Description: A 2 km trek from the village on Ukhimath – Chopta road takes one to the lovely lake with the back drop of Himalayan Chaukhamba peak. 

Image 15

Caption: Water discharge

Garhwal being the region of many rivers and their tributaries flowing down stream at a high velocity, have several big and mini hydroelectric projects. The frame depicts the tail end discharge from water turbine.

  

* Image 6 of Nandprayag is captured by Sachin Vaidya.
 
** For detailed blogs on Destinations on Garhwal Himalayas, readers may log on to my travel blog site:

http://trekline.blogspot.in

Photo Story As I Perceive It – Part 2

Frame 1

Caption: Meditation in Himalayas

Storyline: At Tunganath (12,500’)in Garhwal Himalayas, the highest located Shiva temple in the world, on a cold and lazy afternoon, the Sadhubaba seated on wall of temple compound gives divine dimension to the place. He is totally focused on Lord Shiva through his inner vision.

Frame 2

Caption: Journey to Salvation 

Storyline: The Buddhist lama at Thiksey monastery walks up the stone steps with resolve and conviction, to go to the Monastery. The peace loving followers of Buddhism, stay round the year at the monastery hostel even in harsh cold winter at high altitudes.

Frame 3

Caption: Peeping Out Of Snow Cover

Storyline: The highest motorable pass in the world at 18,400’, Khardung La in Ladakh is no hospitable place to be in, even in early summer. The glimmer of hope is Rinchen Cafetaria, with its signage trying desperately to peep out of ten feet of snow. The tunnel through the snow leads one inside the cafeteria. It is  amazing to see icicles hanging from the ceiling. However, the hot Kashmiri tea and lukewarm samosas (heated by microwave oven powered by a diesel generator) are immensely palatable.

Frame 4

Caption: Multi-tasker 

Storyline: The young man is a qualified pharmacist having a medicine shop in an under-developed town of Garhwal hills, who doubles up as a doctor (the stethoscope is hanging on the wall) for poor needy villagers. In this frame he is tending to head injury of a patient. In my second visit I found this guy in his dentist avatar, preparing to extract teeth of a poor villager, who was waiting for the injection administered to have its effect. On both the occasions, I waited for at least ten minutes to get my medicines!

Frame 5

Caption: Pensive 

Storyline: In early morning, a pensive looking driver on a tourist car top, waiting patiently for late risers to deposit their luggage for onward travel. The bunch of bananas over his head signifies the responsibility he shoulders for carrying safely the tourists, driving over the difficult hilly terrains of Garhwal region in Uttarakhand. God fearing, honest and hardworking people of Gahwal endeared in our hearts for our trips in that region.

Frame 6

Caption: Instant Happiness

Storyline: The village belles who came to our help when we lost our way in the hills during our Deoria Tal trek in Garhwal Himlayas, enjoy a moment of happiness to see their photos in digicam LCD. For replay of this scenario one would like to get lost in the hills again and again!

Frame 7

Caption: Monsoon bounty 

Storyline: Monsoon time is no lazy time for Garhwali women, who travel long distances barefoot over stone mud track of the hills, with their sickles in hand. Soaking in the rain with the stack of green grass fodder on their back is good enough to bring that satisfying smile.

Frame 8

Caption: Block Printing On Roadside

Storyline: The cloths in various shade of colors and printed with Ladakhi script adorn the entire Ladakh, be it on house tops, at Monasteries and Chortens ( Buddha stupas ). The couple seated on roadside do the block printing on a white cloth and folding it methodically prior to shipment.

Frame 9

Caption: That eager wait 

Storyline: Early morning at Stok trekking point, Stok village, in Ladakh, the Ladakhi child has opened the garage dhaba ( eatery ) and waiting eagerly for her parents to arrive and serve the tourists (who have arrived by car), their morning cuppa.

Frame 10

Caption: School Beacons

Storyline: The villagers of religious places in Garhwal Himalayas, do not lag behind in education of girl children. The child after her puja is all geared up and walks towards school and is determined to achieve her goal. 

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