The Garhwal Himalayas a Year After The Uttarakhand Floods.
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1. BY THE RIVER GANGA, I SAT DOWN AND READ
near Rishikesh, imagining how this fercious river must have risen to take down parts of the higher mountains.
near Rishikesh, imagining how this fercious river must have risen to take down parts of the higher mountains.
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2. WIFI, WORK AND THE ROARING GANGA BELOW
at my hideout at Rainforest House, half an hour out of Rishikesh.
at my hideout at Rainforest House, half an hour out of Rishikesh.
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3. FIRST GLIMPSE OF THE GARHWAL HIMALAYAS
on my journey from Rishikesh towards Uttarkashi. These naturally-terraced mountains, lush green with charming little villages, are nothing like I’ve seen before.
on my journey from Rishikesh towards Uttarkashi. These naturally-terraced mountains, lush green with charming little villages, are nothing like I’ve seen before.
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4. FRESHWATER POOLS MADE BY THE ASI GANGA
in the Garhwal Himalayas, a hike up from the villages beyond Uttarkashi.
in the Garhwal Himalayas, a hike up from the villages beyond Uttarkashi.
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5. CATCHING UP ON LIFE
amid these pristine landscapes, with not another soul in sight.
amid these pristine landscapes, with not another soul in sight.
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6. MEETING AN 80+ YEAR OLD COUPLE
from Kuflon village; she was 11 and he 17 when they got married. They witnessed the grounds shake and the waters rise last year, and took it in their stride. Ganga Singh and his wife still choose to live without electricity (with only a solar lamp), away from their kids, and have much laughter in their lives. Makes you realize how little you need to be happy!
from Kuflon village; she was 11 and he 17 when they got married. They witnessed the grounds shake and the waters rise last year, and took it in their stride. Ganga Singh and his wife still choose to live without electricity (with only a solar lamp), away from their kids, and have much laughter in their lives. Makes you realize how little you need to be happy!
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7. VILLAGES IN THE GARHWAL HIMALAYAS
are small close-knit communities, where everyone knows everyone else and the village gossip. The village of Kuflon, for instance, is home to only 8-9 families, and in times of tragedy, they look out for each other.
are small close-knit communities, where everyone knows everyone else and the village gossip. The village of Kuflon, for instance, is home to only 8-9 families, and in times of tragedy, they look out for each other.
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8. SAMPLING LOCALLY GROWN FOOD
like the fern, which grows wild in the forest, takes a trained eye to identify, and tastes delicious!
like the fern, which grows wild in the forest, takes a trained eye to identify, and tastes delicious!
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9. MY HOME IN THE MOUNTAINS
at Kuflon; a perfect hideout set up by a couple who gave up their corporate jobs in the cities for the solitude of the Himalayas. They were in Dehradun when the floods hit, and couldn’t make it home for a month and a half because the bridge leading here got washed away.
at Kuflon; a perfect hideout set up by a couple who gave up their corporate jobs in the cities for the solitude of the Himalayas. They were in Dehradun when the floods hit, and couldn’t make it home for a month and a half because the bridge leading here got washed away.
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10. HANGING OUT BY THE RIVER
with a yoga instructor and new-found friend, down the road from Kuflon, marveling at the sheer intensity of the river that shook the foundation of the might Himalayas. Flash foods have been common in these parts for a long time, but irresponsible pilgrimage tourism has certainly taken its toll on these mountains.
with a yoga instructor and new-found friend, down the road from Kuflon, marveling at the sheer intensity of the river that shook the foundation of the might Himalayas. Flash foods have been common in these parts for a long time, but irresponsible pilgrimage tourism has certainly taken its toll on these mountains.
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11. A BLANK CANVAS AND THE HIMALAYAS FOR INSPIRATION
; here words almost flow faster than thoughts!
; here words almost flow faster than thoughts!
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12. THE PRISTINE GANGA FOR COMPANY
on my way down to Landour, near Mussoorie. The winding mountain roads, both via Rishikesh and Mussoorie, have been rebuilt in most parts and work is in progress in the remaining rough patches.
on my way down to Landour, near Mussoorie. The winding mountain roads, both via Rishikesh and Mussoorie, have been rebuilt in most parts and work is in progress in the remaining rough patches.
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13. MY ABODE IN THE HEART OF LANDOUR
at La Villa Bethany. It has been restored by a couple to its original glory, and sustains itself almost completely with rainwater harvesting, solar energy and organic farming. It’s the conviction of people like these that gives me faith that our mountains will survive.
at La Villa Bethany. It has been restored by a couple to its original glory, and sustains itself almost completely with rainwater harvesting, solar energy and organic farming. It’s the conviction of people like these that gives me faith that our mountains will survive.
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A note on the Uttarakhand floods:
The floods of 2013 washed away much in these pretty villages and
valleys, and while the damages are still visible, most of the roads and
major bridges have been rebuilt and are safe for travelling. The locals
are slowly rebuilding their lives, and the best time to travel into
Garhwal is now, when tourism can really help restore the local village
economies.
The best way to travel from Dehradun / Rishikesh / Mussoorie to Uttarkashi is by the Vishwanath Seva semi-deluxe bus.
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What are (were) your impressions of the Garhwal Himalayas?
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