Garhwal is called Devbhoomi--land of the gods. The temples in Garhwal attract many pilgrims. For those interested in its mountains, bugiyals and passes, the location of these temples allow easy access. Nowhere it is more evident than in Garhwal where unexplored valleys exist side by side with places visited by generations of the devout.
The area of the Western Garhwal can be called 'Gibson territory' as a testimony to his training of young Indian mountaineers there. They also learnt about the flowers of Har-ki-doon, the birds in the Tons valley and the culture of Garhwal. A lost is yet to be explored in Garhwal. Several valleys await visitors in spite of the rush of pilgrims, like north of Badrinath. Popular routes, as to Rupkund or Har-ki-doon, or very high peaks, Garhwal has them all. The memories of climbing peaks like Bethertoli Himal, or camping on Bedni bugiyal or boating on the blue water of the Gona lake, had fuelled interest of many in the Garhwal Himalaya.
This book is based on author's several visits to Garhwal, exploring its valleys and climbing peaks. It concentrates most valuably on extremely rewarding summits, unknown passes and remote valleys, which have been hitherto neglected due to lack of information or difficulty of access.
Complete with several maps, illustrated with many photographs, tables of road distances and trek routes, this book is an exhaustive reference work on this area. The author's experience in Garhwal takes one to transformation of Garhwal from an ancient civilisation to a tourist destination. The book will be essential reference for all travellers, trekkes, mountaineers and historians interested in Garhwal or as a simple armchair travelogue. |
