on
Uttarakhand
Svargarobini—the source of Alaknanda
From Badrinath to Mana (11,000 ft.) is a well frequented route
but from here goes a track over Bhim-Pul (bridge) towards Svar-
garohini on way to which falls the Basudhara (440 ft.) fall A
Jittle beyond we can see the vast expanse of snow from where
Alaknanda trickles out from the snout of a big glacier*
The source of Dhaiili Ganga
Leaving behind Joshimath, after climbing upto Baragaon,
we started descending down and saw Tapovan, There was a hot
spring also. From Tapovan a foot trek leads upto Bhavishya
Badri which lies amidst thick deodar forest. As the road proceeds
it passes through Lata from where one foot trek leads to difficult
Nanda Devi sanctuary, trek to which is undertaken by the reso-
lute types who always revel in adventure. Since our destination
is the source of Ganga I shall take you further. After crossing
Reni where Rishi Ganga from Nanda Devi sanctuary joins
Dhauli, we land into Surahithota which is very picturesque.
Moving all along Dhauli we reach Jumma from where Drona
Oiri is clearly visible. From Bhapkund there is a continuous climb
over sheer rock faces till we reach Malari (10,000 ft). Malari is
the last village, except for few more villages in Niti valley. At
Malari Girthi Ganga meets Dhauli.
Niti valley is picturesque. As we cross Dhauli over the rope
bridge, we land near a village called Kailashpur. The entire route
s covered with deodar, kail, blue pine, spruce and at higher
idges with bhojpatra. The valley is immensely beautiful. Quite
iequently, we meet the Bhotia families carrying or going up.
Bampa is very big village. It has an intermediate college, a
hospital and other important government establishments. Another
big village which Ues in the lap of Dronagiri is Ghansali. The
sunset scene which I saw there is memorable.
Niti is the last village. It lies a little ahead of Timmersen.
Niti has many attractions to invite a visit to this place. From
here one can cross into Barahoti after crossing Kala-Jhabar. The.
other attraction is Bimlas (14,500 ft) hillock which overlooks a
wide range of Himalayas.
Thus I have travelled through aH the bylanes or valleys of
Pamknanda and Gafogotrl where the tributaries of Ganga originate