….. Northwards soared
The stainless ramp of huge Himala’s wall
Ranged in white ranks against the blue — untrod
Infinite, wonderful – whose uplands vast,
And lifted universe of crest and crag,
Shoulder and shelf, green slope and icy horn,
Riven ravine, and splintered precipice
Led climbing thought higher and higher, until
It seemed to stand in heaven and speak with Gods
EDWIN ARNOLD – The Light of Asia.
This summer, if you plan to travel into the Garhwal Himalaya, make sure you take the road less travelled. These lesser known routes will take the tourist, pilgrim, trekker or traveller through one of Uttarakhand’s most picturesque, scenic and spiritual region for example the Gopeshwar-Mandal-Chopta-Tungnath route.
Off the beaten track, Chopta remains one of the most elusive and untouched meadows in the region. Its diverse flora and fauna makes the area one of the most pristine pastures for trekkers and pilgrims alike. The mighty Oak, feathered and festooned with moss and ferns; wiry Birch; Pine and Rhododendron and the forest floor a carpet of slippery grass, is the prefect setting for this gradual trek.
Chopta, also called mini-Switzerland for its scenic beauty is covered with rhododendron trees, pastures, shrubs surrounded by high peaks caressing the skyline, making it a picture-postcard setting where you feel one with Nature.
Okhimath, Tungnath, Anasuya, Rudranath: For those on a religious trip, if you were to travel down this lesser known road, you can always stop and say your prayers at Omkareshwar Temple in Okhimath, before moving onto Tungnath, highest Shiv shrine amongst the panch-kedar and from there, a kilometer long, steep-uphill walk takes you to Chandrashila from where you have a 180 degree view of Trishul, Bandarponch, Chaukhamba, Nanda Devi along with Kedar Peak. Then there is the quaint temple of Goddess Anasuya as you move forward towards the fourth-Kedar, Rudranath temple in Gangol Village, which is closer to Gopeshwar.
The sun sets swiftly in the mountains. The journey is done or has it just begun? One is left answering the question as they take leave of these mountains, only to return again.
