Dilip Kumar is my name.I like exploring new things. More ...
Dilip Kumar is my name.I like exploring new things. More ...
| Altitude: | 1308 m. |
| Season: | Round the year. |
Clothing |
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| Summers: | Cottons. |
| Winters: | Heavy woollens. |
| Language: | Garhwali, Hindi and English. |
| Air : |
Nearest airport for Chamoli is Jolly Grant (221 kms). |
| Rail : | Nearest railhead is Rishikesh 202 km. |
| Road : | Well connected by road, with important towns of the State. |
The enchanting land in the lap of the majestic Himalayas seems to be especially blessed by the mother nature. The district is studded with major pilgrim centres, snow-clad peaks and exceptional natural beauty.
Chamoli , the district of “Garhwal’’ the land of forts. Today’s Garhwal was known as Kedarkhand in the past. In the Puranas Kedarkhand was said to be abode of God. It seems from the facts in the Vedas, Puranas, Ramayana and Mahabharata that these Hindu scriptures are scripted in Kedarkhand. It is believed that God Ganesha first script of vedas in Vayas gufa situated in the last village Mana only four km from Badrinath.
Chamoli district is criss-crossed by several important rivers and their tributaries. Alaknanda, traversing a distance of 229 km before it confluence with Bhagirathi at Devprayag and constituting the Ganga, is the major river.
The Alaknanda originates at a height of 3641 meters below Balakun peak 16 km. upstream from Badrinath form the two glaciers of Bhagirath Kharak and Satopanth. The two glaciers rise from the eastern slopes of Chaukhamba (7140 Meters) peak, Badrinath peak and its satellite peaks. These peaks separates the Gangotri group of glaciers in the west. The major portion of the Alaknanda basin falls in Chamoli district. From its source upto Hallang (58 Km),the valley is treated as upper Alaknanda valley. The remaining part of the area is known as lower Alanknanda valley. While moving from its source, the river flows in a narrow deep gorge between the mountain slopes of Alkapuri, from which it drives its name. All along its course, it drains its tributaries.
1. Saraswati joins the Alaknanda 9 km downstream from Mana.
2. Khilrawan Ganga join it below the Badrinath shrine and Bhuynder Ganga below Hanuman Chatti.
3. Dhauli Ganga meets at Vishnuprayag above Joshimath. The river Dhauliganga rises from the Nitti Pass at about 5070 meters. Its valley lies between the Kamet groups of peaks in the west and Nandadevi group in the east. The Dhauli takes a northern course at Malari. Between Malari and Tapovan, it is almost a narrow gorge with perpendicular cliffs on either side. several thousand meters high. the Dhauliganga in its turn is fed by Girthi Ganga at Kurkuti and Rishiganga 500 m below Reni.
4. Downstream small tributaries - Helang, Garud, Patal and Birahiganga join the Alaknanda between Joshimath and Chamoli.
5.Nandakini, which rises from Semudra Glaciers drainage the western slopes of Trishul mountains, joins it at Nandprayag.
6.South-East, river Pinddar joins the Alaknanda at Karnprayag. The Pindar river is fed by the Milam and Pinddar glacier from the Nandadevi group of glacier. The Pinddar river, before joining Alaknanda, is fed by Kaliganga and Bheriganga.
The rivers of Chamoli district, generally flow with great force in steep and narrow channels often resulting in excessive erosion and collapse of the banks.
Accordingly the Kunwar reaches Nauti with the four horned ram and ringal-umbrella. The Raj Jat starts on the long round-trek of about 280 kms. with 19 halts on the way, taking about 19 days. Bhumiyal, Ufrai and Archana Devis are worshipped prior to the departure. The golden image of Nandadevi is carried in a silver palanquin and thousands of devotees follow in a long procession.
Great festivities and religious observances mark the Jat wherever they halt or pass through. The procession swells as it advances with various groups joining from far and near with their idols and umbrellas. Special mention may be made of those coming from kurud from Ghat, Lata near Tapovan and Almora in Kumaon. Some 300 idols and decorated umbrellas assembles at Wan, enroute Hemkund.
Mass participation and religious devotion are unmatched, for the Jat involves a long and arduous journey over treacherous terrains rising to an altitude of 5335 mts. at Jiura Gali Dhar from a near 900 m at Nauti, walking barefoot over snow and moraines and passing through deep forests.
There is a unique custom of keeping everyone's house unlocked in Wan village for the use of the yatris on the Jat day, according to the divine instruction of the goddess Nandadevi, and it is followed religiously. The last NandaDevi Raj Jat was held during August/September 2000. Smaller Raj Jats are organized annually from Kurud village near Ghat, covering a smaller circuit in August-September.