Thousands
travel to Garhwal every year, worshippers on pilgrimages come here to realize
their God, climbers with mountaineering and trekking on their minds, mavericks
with river running in their blood, skiers to get the adrenaline pumping and
academicians to propound new theories on mankind! You can find your own interpretation,
your own Garhwal headspace to retreat into when you need some soul food.
Garhwal is often called devbhumi or the abode of gods. Every inch of this
land is steeped in mythology and every glade has its story. The reason is
not far to seek as the Ganga and the Yamuna – the alpha and omega of
the Indian psyche – have their origin here.
In its mountains and along these sacred rivers lie important Hindu shrines
dating back centuries. Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri are some
of the prominent pilgrim centres.
The Garhwal Himalayas offer numerous possibilities to adventure and nature
enthusiasts. The region abounds in a splendid combination of flora, fauna,
rapid mountain rivers and snow-capped mountains, which are magnificent enough
to infuse the spirit of adventure in all. You could indulge in River running,
Trekking, Mountaineering and Skiing, depending on your interest. The trekkers
go off the yatra trail to enjoy the scenic beauty and mountaineers start where
the pilgrims finish.
In towering magnificence, these mountains offer umpteen possibilities to the
initiated. There are places which have remained untouched by human devastation,
where one can see the Himalayas in their regal splendour.
The small town, Rudraprayag, is situated at the holy confluence of river Alaknanda
and river Mandakini, at a distance of 34 kms. from Srinagar (Garhwal). The
presence of two separate routes for Badrinath and Kedarnath Dham from Rudraprayag
render great importance to the place. There are more than 200 shrines dedicated
to Lord Shiva in the district itself; the most important one being Kedarnath.
