86 Abode of God*
mistake and we would be in the gorge. It was a life and death
struggle. No sooner we crossed rock faces there was a long
avalanche which had to be crossed. It was excessively slippery
and no sooner one of our party members Thakur stepped out,
he fell and slipped but as luck would have it, his fall was arrested
by a bush and simultaneous use of the ice axe. We proceeded
further and went for nearly nine kilometers upstream. It was a
memorable trip up a valley. The views which we witnessed were
stunning. We could see the login group of peaks and other
peaks rising above the glaciers and moreover Kedar Ganga could
be seen oozing out of Kedarbamak.
Todfa Ganga
At Lanka Jadh Ganga meets Bhagirathi. It is a major tributary
of Bhagirathi. For reaching up to the source of Jadh Ganga, we
have to go up stream. The route is good except for initial dangerous
path which lies over a huge rock face below which Jadh Ganga
flows fiercely. But the human ingenuity has done miracles by
driving iron bars over the rocks and putting wooden planks on
them. It is known as Gartang Gallery.
From Lanka Nelong is 35 kilometers on foot with two halting
places at Karcha and Dhumka. There is nothing to stay except a
small log hut at Karcha. Opposite Dhumka lies the valley of Tibet
which is known as Chaukgaliya. Nelong nestles in the lapof Nandr
Parvat. The Jads follow Tibetan form of Buddhism, the traces
of which can be foutnd in the shape of fluttering flags and rota-
ting wheels of am mahi padrhe aham. Flags called £tharchens*
are nailed high up on jpoles to keep ghosts away. The most
dreaded variety of them is 'K-olong'. From Nelong,! there is a place
called Naga from where one route bifurcates towards Nilapani
from where one can cross into Himanchal or Tibet. The track is
very dangerous.
Proceeding all along Jadh Ganga I have been right upto Jhelu-
khaga ridge and the pass. The route which Jadh Ganga takes and
Hie area surrounding it is most beautiful except for some distance*
Between Sonam and Pulamsandha. The entire route presents
craggy appearance. The nfll sides consist of conglomerates. The
flowers which adorn the area form a carpet of choicest designs-.
The valley is also full of wildlife. Wild Yak and Bharal are found