Page 50 - ParentsWorld June 2020

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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