126
Abode of Code
of 265 km. from Rishikesh. Sikhs have set up a Gurudwara at
Govmdghat which offers tea and food to the pilgrims ^d ton
nsts, irrespective of their caste, creed and nationality, who are on
their way to the valley of flowers or the Hemkund-Lokpal or
both From there, the foot journey starts and at the ver? out-
set the hanging bridge over Alaknanda has to be crossed and
soon after the trek ascends all along the Lakshamanganga current
The winding path leads to the hamlet of Punn, at the approach
•of which fte tired trekker is welcomed by a smiling tea stall-
keeper. Almost all the yatrla sit round the wooden bench wait-
ing for their turn to drink the hot cup of tea. The inhabitants
of this vilkge move in the upper ridges where pasture lands are
available but during winter they come down to their villages
where they mostly rear sheeps or grow potatoes and beans in
abundance. From Punn, the trek enters a dense forest of oaks
chestnuts, willows and rhododendron. Across the river, far in the
honzen, one can see the roaring water fall descending down the
hill slope like a necklace of pearls. As the climber goes up and up
bend atter bend, he is greeted by the smiling children or woman-
folk from the neighbouring villages who always carry heavy loads
over their backs. A little before the camping site of Ghagaria
the tourist witnesses the marvellous view of Hathi Parvat (22 070
ft.). Ghagaria is preceded with beautiful pasture lands which are
frequently dotted with deodar trees. And then, at the end of
evening's journey comes the hamlet Ghagaria which lies amidst
thick deodar forest with its tourist bungalow and a forest rest
house. Few hutments lie scattered here and there selling tea
and wares of local necessity. They also provide food but it is
always Gurudwara which comes to the rescue of the pilmms and
other camp attendants. F s
The night's rest at Ghagaria is memorable because of the camp
fire lit night. Next morning, most of the trekfcers leave for the
valley of flowers and the pilgrims always first make for the Hem
kund. The trek for both the places is quite common for some"
distance and then the trek for the valley of flowers proceeds all
*long the Pushpaganga, while for the Lofcpal Hemkund it climbs
up steeply.
todfaarilv the tourists trek up to the Ghagaria from Govind-
ihat on the first day either on foot or cm ponies and make night