SVARGAROHAN—THE EXPEDITION TO
HEAVEN
Himalayas have been described in Skandpurana as "He who
thinks of Himachal, though he should not behold him, is greater
than he who performs all worship in Kashi (Banaras). In a hun-
dred ages of the gods I could not tell of the glories of Himachal.
As the dew is dried up by the morning sun, so are the sins of
mankind by the sight of Himachal." The five sons of Pandu,
retired to die amidst Himalayas. Walking in single file, clothed
in dresses of bark, accompanied by their common wife Draupadl
and followed by their faithful dog, they ascended the mountain
path of Painkhanda. Their names and traditions of their wonder-
ful deeds are still preserved in the names of many places. Here
they were visited by Krishna himself, who is said to have per-
formed penance at another time on the great Gandhmadhan
Parvat, now known as Chaukhambha, which is so prominently
visible from Almora and Ranikhet.
Abode of Gods
The Kedarkhand has been truely described as the abode of
Gods because it is full of numerous shrines and holy places, whose
fame and efficacy is described in Skandpurana and other scrip-
tures. Indeed, that precious collection of marvels has a special