A scenic Himalayan mystery
Jaiyant Cavale , Bangalore: Jul 6 2008
Made Popular Jul 6 2008

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The Himalayas, one of the major mountain ranges on the planet, is home to some of the most beautiful terrain you could visit. However, the Himalayas also has some of the least explored parts of the world and could just be the destination you had been waiting to experience all by yourself or with a couple of friends or whichever way it works. One such place is the Roopkund lake in Chamoli, Uttarkhand (India). Popular for it’s skeleton lake, the journey to the lake and beyond takes you through breath taking landscape from alpine forests to snowy slopes and icy deserts.

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I was inspired to write about this beautiful place after I read an article in Hindi on this blog. The location holds many creepy secrets and some still have not been unearthed. Hundreds of skeletons were found in the early part of the last century, supporting local legends of a King whose troop and dancing women died incurring the wrath of Nanda Devi, after having polluted the mountains with music, women and other evils. Initially the skeletons were thought to be from the 14th or the 15th century. The scientists at London and Hyderabad, with the assistance of National Geographic Channel, came to the conclusion that the bodies and skeletons were from the 8th century ad. That is an amazing 1300 years! Some parts of the flesh are still stuck to the skeletons because of the cold.

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However, the skeletons are fast disappearing due to souvenir collectors. When you visit the place, avoid plastic, use paper bags and other such ecological jazz. You could plan your trip with the help of this beautiful blog I found. Everything seems to be ready, the drivers’ numbers, cost, where-to-stay, etc. the lake is frozen for a period of 11 months, so if you intend to look at the skeletons, you must go during the summer. Seek your physician’s advice as well, for altitudes of 15000 feet and above can result in serious medical emergencies. Do respect local sentiments and prioritize safeguarding the environment and ecology there. This could very well be your best trekking trip ever!

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Roopkund

Via: 1, 2, 3

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1 Stars
Manoj J
shimla, India
A great piece packed with practical information. I’m truly humbled and mystified by the pictures of the frozen lake.
1 Stars
Jaiyant Cavale
Bangalore, India
I’m glad you found it informative.. I can’t wait to get there myself!
1 Stars
Manish
Mumbai, India
Thanks for this post Jaiyant. Very informative.
1 Stars
Jaiyant Cavale
Bangalore, India
You are welcome Manish.. Its cool you found it informative as well!
1 Stars
YAMIN zenlimited.co.uk
AHMEDABAD, India
Himalaya itself is full of mysteries since time immemorial the more we exlpore the more we gain
1 Stars
Sameer Kumar
Hyderabad, India
i must have missed this when this was posted and being a nature lover i must say that your collection of pics was excellent. This could be an awesome place to go to and your sentiment of keeping out plastic and trash is very true. Same should go for people who picnic on beaches. A very informative article indeed!
1 Stars
Jaiyant Cavale
Bangalore, India
Hey thanks.. But somehow the webshots don’t seem to be working.. Tried posting again. Lol.. Plastic is a nuisance anywhere, including the cities. But since we have already polluted our cities beyond repair, we must make sure we leave beaches, mountains and the country alone.
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