Page 50 - ParentsWorld June 2020
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most sacred river in India. Gangotri is the originat-  structure.
         ing point of the Ganges — India’s most revered river,   Moreover
         though the physical source is a cave 18 km further north   there are in-
         at Gaumukh. The Gangotri temple was built by Gorkha   teresting walks
         commander Amar Singh Thapa in the 18th century at   criss-crossing
         the spot, according to legend, where Lord Shiva received   the forest
         Ganga into his matted locks as it descended from the   around the
         heavens. Kedarnath is the highest (11,827 ft) of the Char   lake leading to
         Dham and is regarded as one of the holiest shrines of   several points
         Shaivaite Hindus. Badrinath is sacred to the followers   for taking in
         of Lord Vishnu and represents the source of the Alaknan-  pristine Hima-
         dariver. Adi Shankaracharya founded its vividly colourful   layan vistas.  Corbett Tiger Reserve
         temple in the eighth century. It is believed that the life of   The Naini
         a devout Hindu is incomplete without a pilgrimage to the   Lake from
         Char Dham.                                       which the town derives its name is believed to be one of
                                                          the emerald green eyes of Lord Shiva’s wife, Sati. Boat
         corbett tiger reServe                            rides on the lake are a must on summer evenings. The
         Established in 1936 as India’s first national park by   Aerian Express is a ropeway which takes you up to the
         legendary shikari Jim Corbett, who put Kumaon on the   popular Snow View point at 7,491 ft. Take in the co-
         world map with his book Man-Eaters of  Kumaon, the park   lourful Gadhan Kunkyop Ling Gompa of the Gelukpa
         has an expanse of 1,318 sq. km and abounds in wildlife.   Buddhist order. For the intrepid trekker, China Peak aka
         The Ramganga reservoir attracts flocks of migratory   Naini Peak is the highest point (8,613 ft) and a short walk
         waterfowl which arrive here in mid-December and stay on   from Snow View.
         till end-March. The park is open November to June. Re-  Accommodation. Top-end: The Naini Retreat
         member to carry mosquito repellent, adequate water and   (Rs.6,196 per night); Manu Maharani Nainital (Rs.5,596-
         binoculars. The house formerly occupied by Jim Corbett at   6,552); Vikram Vintage Inn (Rs.4,290-5,711). Mid-
         Veranda village has been transformed into a museum.  range: Royal Hotel (Rs.2,000-2,600); Evelyn Hotel
         Accommodation. One can choose to stay at Dhikala,   (Rs.2,000-2,500). Budget: Hotel Lake View (Rs.1,500);
         Bijrani and Khinnanauli villages inside the park. Bookings   Alps Hotel (Rs.1,000 onwards).
         are made at Ramnagar. Top-end: Taj Corbett Resort   Excursions. Ranikhet (56 km) is a serene hill sta-
         & Spa (Rs.7,394-8,282 per night). Mid-range: Sterling   tion initially established as army barracks by the British.
         Corbett (Rs.3,012-3,656); Le Roi Corbett (Rs.1,838-2,838);   Dwarahat (80 km) has interesting temples with finely
         Le Reserve Corbett (Rs.2,172). Budget: Sri Sai Homestay   carved frescoes. Almora (67 km) is a pastoral hill town
         (Rs.830); Him Darshan Vatika (Rs. 820).          famous for its Nanda Devi and Kesar Devi temples
                                                          where Swami Vivekananda came to meditate.
         nainitaL
         This pretty as a picture hill station (pop.1 million) was once   treKKing in uttaraKhand
         the summer capital of Uttar Pradesh and is the largest   With 93 percent of its land area rugged and mountainous,
         town in Kumaon district. Founded by the British, its misty   Uttarakhand is a trekkers’ and mountaineers’ paradise,
         meadows and glades are reminiscent of the Lake District   with bracing trek trails in the Garhwal and Kumaon
         of England. The wooden clubhouse of the Nainital Boat   Himalayas. Tents, rucksacks, sleeping bags etc can be hired
         Club which graces the edge of the lake is an impressive   at very reasonable rates from the Garhwal Mandal Vikas
                                                          Nigam (GMVN) trekking and mountaineering division
                                                          offices at all major towns of Garhwal, and from Kumaon
         Nainital
                                                          Mandal Vikas Nigam (KMVN) in Kumaon.
                                                             GMVN also offers all-inclusive trekking packages to
                                                          Har-ki-Dun (nine days), Valley of Flowers (eight days),
                                                          Kuari Pass among others, and are priced at Rs.3,060
                                                          per person per day upwards. Alternatively one can hire a
                                                          porter-cum-guide.
                                                             KMVN offers trekking packages in the Kumaon region.
                                                          Breathtaking though arduous, is the Milam Glacier trek
                                                          winding through magnificent rugged country to the east of
                                                          Nanda Devi peak (25,792 ft) following the gorge of the
                                                          Gori Ganga and the Pindari glacier.




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