CONTENTS

Foreword vii'
Preface ix
List of Illustrations - xi
1. The lure of the mountains • 1
2. Pleasures of a journey into Himalayas 5
3. Remember if you are going to the hills 11
4. The story of pilgrimage , 17
5. Himalaya—the divine king of mountains 25
6. Uttarakhand—The cradle of early civilisations 35
7. The land and people of Garhwal 45
8. The land and people of Kumaon 53
9. Swargarohini—the expedition to heaven 65
10. The Holy Ganga 77
11. The ascent on the sources of Ganga 85
12. Trek to the Valley of Gods—Kedarnath 91
13. Yamunotri Valley 97'
14. Journey into the interiors of Himalaya 101
15. The lake town—Nainital 107
16. Almora 113
17. Trek toPindari Glacier 117
18. The lure of the valley 121
19. JaunsarBabar 129
20. The mysterious lake—Rupkund 135
21. The Gods, Goddesses, Demons and Devils
of Uttarakhand 143
22. Katyur—The Switzerland of India 149
23. The land of free love—Rang Bhang 153
24. The way to Heaven 157"
25. HariKiDoon 161