sutikshan
Until 1931, this blooming terrain’s presence was unknown to the world. Three British mountaineers Frank S. Smythe, Eric Shipton, and R.L. Holdsworth discovered this beautiful valley when they lost their way, and returning to the camp they stumbled upon this exotic valley carpeted with blooming flowers. They wonder about the beauty of the place and termed this place as the ‘Valley of Flowers’.
More than 650 species of flowers are found here including, orchids, blue poppies, lilies, Geranium, marigold, Himalayan rose daisies, river anemone, primulas, etc. A varied species of plants growing in the valley are believed to have medicinal properties. Ancestors believe it to be the place from where Hanuman had collected the Sanjeevani Buti for curing Lakshmana.
This place has floral pastures, running streams, and the beautiful backdrop of the mountains. In 1982, the valley was declared as a national park by the government and became a primary zone of the Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve. In 2004, it became a part of the UNESCO World Heritage site.
On the one side of the flower- valley, tall cliffs climb to the sky and the other side is guarded by snow-clad high mountain peaks. A serene water stream is a glitter through the middle of the valley. In the spring and monsoon season, the entire valley is covered with flowers, and sometimes the mist and cloud over it. This makes the valley perfect for the picturesque location.
A 17 km trek to the Valley of Flowers starts from a hamlet, Govindghat. From Govindghat, the steep trek showing great views of the waterfalls and lush forest. Ghangharia which is around 14km from Govindghat, here a permit needs to be taken from the forest department to enter Valley of Flowers. The visitors are allowed only during the daytime as no accommodation is available inside the valley. The same trek route is followed for the pilgrims to reach the Sikh temple at Hemkund.
At an altitude of 4,329 meters above sea level in the Himalayan ranges, Sri Hemkund Sahib Gurudwara means ‘lake of snow’ is a sacred temple of Sikhs religion. The scenic holy place attracts thousands of pilgrims Sikhs and Hindus from all over the world in the steep trek to reach it. Valley of flower located 300 Kms North of Rishikesh, near Badrinath, and the best time to visit the Valley is between July to August when the flowers are in full blossom.
Source– Thomas cook, Himalayas adventure
