14

JOURNEY INTO INTERIORS OF
HIMALAYAS

In the year 1968 (November) my posting in the Special Police
Force provided me an opportunity of entering the very interiors
of Himalayas. In fact, I was very keen to visit Millam Glacier
about which I had read and heard so much. I drove from Dhar-
chula to Jauljibi, and after attending the Jauljibi fair at Jauljibi,
I proceeded on my onward journey on my Jeep and after cross-
ing through Askote, Didihat, Thai, Tejam, Girgaon, Kalamuni
I ultimately arrived at Munsiyari.
Sat sansar adhmimsiyar—balf the world is equivalent to half
of the Msmsiyari
Munsiyari is a small township. It is also a sub-divisional
Magistrate's headquarters. The local inhabitants are known as
Bhotiyas in general and Jauharis in particular. They have a
migratory life, and have their homesteads at three places, viz.,
one in the upper reaches of the valley, one in and around
Munsiyari and third one downwards in Kumaon. During
summer months, these Bhotiyas live in upper reaches of the
valley, in and around Millam and about September, they remove
their family to the lower part of the valley. These Bhotias for-
merly traded with Tibet. ~J