Garwahl, the abode of the Gods and rightly so. From the plains of Haridwar and the mysticism of the prayers offered on the banks of the holy river to the icy cold lake of Hemkund Sahib where you truly see faith ruling over mind and matter as devotees plunge in icy cold lake at sub zero degree temperature. Even though I took the trip purely for the scenic beauty of the hills and the panorama of the valley of flowers, I could not help but be amazed by the fa Hindu devotees in Haridwar and Rishikesh and Sikh pilgrim at Hemkund Sahib.
Although it was supposed to be just stopovers on our journey toward Valley of flowers and on the way back, Haridwar's Ganga Aarti in the evenings is once in a life experience. Just the energy of the place is something else
A greener and cleaner version of Haridwar. Attractions here are the Laxam and Ram Jhula, the suspension bridges over river Ganga.
the place would be great during winters as Auli serves as a ski resort but otherwise its a small town with nothing much to offer.
The trek to Hemkund Sahib or Valley of Flowers starts at Govidnghat and ends in Ghanghari as there is no accommodation options in the final destinations. The 14 kilometre trek to Ghangharia takes almost 6-8 hours and is a steep climb. Its a small village with super budget hotels mostly catering to the pilgrims.
Its one of the most sacred places of worship for the Sikhs. The distance is just 6 kilometres from the village of Ghangaria but its a very steep climb and the altitude changes drastically. The sarovar at the lake is also according to Hindu mythology where Laxman transformed homself into water and hence there is a Laxman temple also here.
According to Hindu mythology this place is the Sanjeevni mountain that Lord Hanuman picked up to cure Laxman, according to local folklore its a place where fairies reside, I believe its a place that is probably been the abode of celestial being at some point. The hike to valley of flowers from Ghangharia can get a little difficult towards the end but every sore muscle is worth the panorama that awaits you.
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