Har Ki Dun: Trip to Valley of God’s
The beautiful mountains are appealing, enticing, unexplained and captivating. The grandiose mountain range attracts trekkers from all over the world. From foreign locales to rough terrains to paths less travelled, Himalayas are stuffed with the most inscrutable yet exhilarating trekking locations.
Har Ki Dun is one Kohinoor in the Himalayan crown. Beautifully nestled in the Garhwal Himalayas at an elevation of 3500 meters, this cradle-shaped hanging valley is festooned with snow poured peaks and alpine vegetation. It offers the most beautiful postcard type view of the alpine flora, indigo skies, cascading streams, and snow covered mountains, glacier basins, and a countless variety of fauna, exclusive wooden architecture and charming little villages. The discrete culture and unusual mythology of this region gives the traveler a chance to shower themselves in the rich heritage of the place.
Har ki dun which is also known as “God’s Own Valley” or “Valley of Gods”, carrying it’s easy to moderate terrain is a trekker’s pleasure and a perfect setting for amateurs as well as seasoned trekkers. Har Ki Dun is sacred with clean weather most of the time.
Har Ki Dun Trek
The name Har ki Dun is a beautiful combination of Dun (valley) and Har ki (God’s) and entirely justifies the mythological history related with it. According to the legends, Pandavas took their set of steps to heavenly house via Swargarohini peak, which is also one of the main attractions of the trek. The well-known temple loyal to Duryodhana in the village of Osla depicts the age-old thinking and civilization of the native people.
The journey to this doorway of heaven starts from Dehradun, which is also the capital of Uttarakhand State. The trek traverses people through the village of Sankri, which is 200 kms away from Dehradun.
Sankri bustles with movement during the trekking period replete with enormous justification for camping and bonfire; it is a supreme spot for the scenery base camp for Har ki Dun, Kedarkantha, Bali Pass and Borasu Pass.
From Sankri, a height trail with 10-11 mountains bends leads to Taluka, which is the next destination, which can be reached either by a jeep or by walking also. This avalanche prone road is usually blocked during the monsoons. Taluka, the picture perfect hamlet is home to stunning timber and stone houses and boasts of a puzzling variety of chestnut, walnut and chinar trees, and butterflies.
Supin River
Supin River flows with shining waters trails along this trekking route and exhilarates with its sparkle. The trekking route from Taluka to Seema treads along the right side of Supin River. It is basically an 8 km. long trek brings to Gangad Village. It takes almost around 2 hours from Gangad to reach Seema. The trek is interspersed with many wooden bridges used to cross the stream.
Wooden Bridge over Supin
Further, into the trek, which is pretty much easy except for undersized steep sections followed by a continuous climb, a person reaches Chilurgad after which come the Simatra and Bhashi Thach. This trek takes people through Osla, a small village whose vistas environment perfectly complements its spiritualist mythology. This village has a Someshwar temple devoted to Lord Shiva. The wooden carvings and unique structural design of this place of worship are the highlights of this beautiful hamlet. Duryodhana Temple is located in Osla village and it is the only temple in India keen to the Kauravas. All along the route, local dhabas have sprouted to pacify the hunger cravings.
Osla Village
Another path of 7 km. from Osla leads to the final destination, which is Har ki Dun or “Valley of Gods”. With a slow climb, the trail guiding to Har ki Dun surprises people with dreamlike landscapes of radiance snow-wrapped mountains, flourishing pine forests, luminous streams and a sundry range of flora and fauna. A sheer climb welcomes to the most striking view that leaves you stupefied for some seconds. Har ki Dun with its stunning beauty increases over a snow-covered span (from October to March) or a lush green meadow (from April to September) attracts people into a warm hug. Blue skies and gurgling stream parting its way through green is a scene shot from the almanac.
A Sky Full of Star
If Jaundhar Glacier is a dear gem in Har Ki Dun trek then Maninda Tal, the glacial lake with sparkler clear water, located at an elevation of 3,950 meters, is the Kohinoor of this pleasure trip. Brahma Kamal, the state flower of Uttarakhand which blooms only at night is found in large quantities between July to September near this magical lake.
Trek from Har ki Dun to Maninda Tal is decorated with flora of snooty pine and grandiose oak trees. Party in the wonderful landscape, savour the gentle tweeting of mountain birds and smile at the enticing innocence of simple villagers through the 3 km easy trek that traverses people from side to side small villages set touching the most scenic vista of beautiful wooden carved houses.
Har ki Dun trek offers an array of simple activities to revitalize your soul and spirit all together. From watching the stunning sunrise behind the Swargarohini Mountains to building companionship with local villagers to watching the sun set behind the magnificent Himalayas to camping under the star scattered sky and exchanging pleasantries in the bonfire, this amazing group is a dream come true for nature and adventure enthusiasts.
