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Valley
of Flower
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This
U-shaped alpine valley, formed by retreating glaciers,
remains snow-covered from November to May. When
the ice thaws in June, the valley is rich with
herbs, medicinal and flowering plants, which burst
into a profusion of colour in July and August.
The month between mid-July and mid-August is the
ideal time to visit. The Valley got publicised
as the Valley of Flowers when Frank S, Smith -
mountaineer, explorer, botanist camped here for
several weeks in the monsoon of 1937 and wrote
a book, The Valley of Flowers.
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| Because
of the solitude, the Valley was used by sadhus during
prolonged periods of meditation. The Valley has been associated
with Lakshman, who is believed to have meditated on the
banks of Hemkund. The 'Sanjeevani Buti', which revived
him when he was wounded in battle with Meghnad, son of
Ravana, is said to have been from here. |
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Valley of Flowers National Park is above Ghangria in the
upper reaches of the Bhyundar Ganga in the Zaskar Range
of the Garhwal Himalaya, Chamoli District. Bounded by
high mountain ridges and peaks on all sides, 8,950 ha
of land were declared a national park with effect from
September 1982.It is a 5 km trek from Ghangria, which
is 13 kms from the roadhead at Govindghat, between Joshimath
and Badrinath. |
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At
an altitude ranging from 3,350 m to the peak of
Gauri Parbat at 6,719 m, the Valley of Flowers is
essentially the catchment area of the Pushpawati
River, which is known as the Bhyundar Ganga, downstream
of Ghangria. It consists of a glacial corridor,
7 km long and 2 km wide, with it's source in the
Tipra Glacier which descends from Gauri Parbat.
A wall of steep cliffs rises 2,000 m from the valley
floor on the north side, while the terrain slopes
less precipitously to the south. Being protected
from the cold, dry winds from Tibet to the north
and partly shielded from the full effects of the
monsoon to the south, it has a distinctive climate.
In the monsoon, mornings are often clear, but as
the day progresses, clouds gather. The valley is
snowbound from November to May. |
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northern slopes are thickly forested with birch, rowan
and rhododendron up to an elevation of 3,800 m with lichens
carpeting the ground. The southern slopes at the base
of the rock wall consist largely of meadows or bugyals,
with a variety of alpine flowers, including anemones,
asters, fritillarias, gentians, geraniums, larkspurs,
lilies, orchids, poppies including the Himalayan blue
poppy, potentillas and primulas, marsh marigolds. Medicinal
herbs, such as rhubarb and aconite, are also found in
the valley and Brahma Kamal, the celestial flower which
is offered to the gods, grows on the higher reaches. |
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General
Information
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Location
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On
the upper expansions of Bhyundar Ganga in
Chamoli District of Uttararanchal. |
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Area
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87.5
Sq. Kms |
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Temprature
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(July
& August) Max. - 17 (Celsius) & Min.
- 7 (Celsius) |
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Best
Season
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From mid July to mid of August |
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| Accommodation
& Facilities: |
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Uttranchal
Govt. Tourist Rest House, Gangharia as well as Forest
Rest Houses at Govindghat and Gangharia are the accommodation
options available for tourists visiting the valley.
There's also a Gurudwara at Ghangharia with lodging
facilities. Dining facilities are also available at
Ghangaria.
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