Uttarakhand 71
Kumaon and Kotedwar. The semi-pastoral, nomadic, Bhotia
people are drawn during winter from Doti and upper valleys to
Joshimath, Chinka (near Chamoii), Maithana (near Nandprayag)
and other lower areas when heavy snowfall envelops upper
approaches of the valley.
Joshimath grows abundant apples of delicious variety.
Joshimath is the headquarters of Painphanda sub-division and
is divided into two patwari circles Malla and Talla, which
comprise mostly of high mountains. Joshimath forms the central
point from where one route stretches towards the abode of
Gods—Mana—and the valley of Flowers and another road
proceeds via Tapovan where there used to be hot springs and
further to Bhavishya Badri, (future Badrinath) temple which
lies amidst thick Deodar forest from where route goes to Nanda
Devi sanctuary. The motorable road goes upto Malari and
again from there upto Barahoti and Niti valleys. I had immense
opportunity of visiting these valleys not once but number of times,
which I shall describe separately.
Joshimath has immense potentialities of developing into an
ideal hill resort particularly because of Kunwari pass (12000 ft.),
Auli Bugyal (pasture) valley of flowers and Hemkund-Lokpal
Auli and Kunwari pass provide a magnificent window into the
picturesque sanctuary of Nanda Devi. These places are also
developing as ideal skiing resort.
Joshimath as centre of trekking sojourns is an idyllic resort.
I have memories of many a nostalgic trekking days when we
started from Joshimath for various trekking routes and had so
much of nights out and days rest on the marshy grass of
Bugyals.
Joshimath is the embarking place for onward journey to the
abode of Gods— Badrinathdham and Nanda Devi sanctuary.
The abode of Gods x
From Joshimath, Mana is only 46 km. The road which leads
to Badrinath descends down the perilous slopes of Sinhdwar right
upto Vishnuprayag where Dhauli meets Alaknanda. The road
takes a sudden sharp bend and moves towards Govindghat from
where a foot trek leads towards Hemkund-Lokpal and the valley
of flowers. Before reaching Badrinathdham, the devout Hindu