The Valley Of Flowers
A beautiful garden of nature is situated between the Nar and Gandhamadan mountains in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand state. Which is known as the Valley of Flowers. This valley is so beautiful that it has also been included in the UNESCO World Heritage Site on 14 July 2005. The Valley of Flowers comes under the category of National Park of India. Which was declared a National Park by the Government of India in the year 1982. Talking about the area of the Valley of Flowers is spread over 87.5 sq km. The Pushpavati Salt River rises from the Valley of Flowers, which later joins the Alaknanda.
History of The Valley of Flowers
The Valley of Flowers was discovered in 1931 by mountaineers Frank S. Smyth, Eric Shipton, and R. L. Holdsworth while returning from the Mount Comet expedition. Let me tell you while returning from Mount Kamet, the climbers lost their way. Then while walking, the climbers accidentally reached the Valley of Flowers, and seeing its beauty, they named it the Valley of Flowers.
Also, Read - Garjiya Devi Temple, Nainital Uttarakhand
Frank S Smyth mentioned this valley in his book The Valley of Flowers, and the whole world came to know about this beautiful heritage site. Frank S Smyth took 250 varieties of flower seeds with him to Australia while returning from the Valley of Flowers. After his discovery, in 1939, Margaret Legg of England came to Uttarakhand to study the species of these flowers.
The Valley of Flowers is also mentioned in Ramayana and Skanda Purana.
In the year 1931, a mountaineer discovered the Valley of Flowers. However, the description of the Valley of Flowers is already there in Hindu texts. According to Skanda Purana, the valley of flowers is called Nandkanan. On the other hand, the great poet Kalidas called this valley Alka in Meghdoot. Talking about public opinion, the Valley of Flowers is the place from where Hanuman Ji brought Sanjeevani herbs to save Lakshman Ji's life. Apart from this, the other names of the Valley of Flowers are Kedar Jew, Baikunth, Bhundar, Pushpavali, and Frank Smyth Valley.
Also Read - Syahi Devi Temple, Almora
In the Valley of Flowers, there are many unseen species and deadly flowers
The Valley of Flowers, situated at an altitude of 3600 meters above sea level, is very beautiful. People come not only from India but also from abroad to see the beauty of this place. Let us tell, more than 500 species of flowers are seen in the Valley of Flowers. If you see the view here, then you will feel no less than heaven. People get hypnotized by seeing the view of this valley. Doesn't want to come back from here.
There are as many poisonous flowers as there are beautiful flowers in the valley. The forest department has made separate marks on flowers named Aconitum balfori and Senecio graciliflorus in the valley, which is quite poisonous. Senecio is also a rare species of flower, which has bloomed in the valley for a long time. If someone plucks this flower or puts it in the mouth, it can be fatal. At the same time, in recent studies, a weed named Amela or Polygene is spreading continuously in the valley of flowers, which has become destructive to this valley.
How to reach Valley of Flowers National Park?
You can visit Valley of Flowers from May or June to October-November. To come here, first, you have to come to Joshimath. You can reach Joshimath by bus. After coming to Joshimath, to go to the valley, first, you have to come to Govind Ghat by bus or share taxi and 4 km from Govind Ghat. Further towards Ghangaria, one has to come to Pulna village, which is the nearest road point to the Valley of Flowers.
After reaching Pulna, to go to the Valley of Flowers, you have to go to Ghangaria, which is about 9 km from Pulna. Is located at a distance. The Valley of Flowers is about 1.5-2 km from Ghangaria. It is situated at a distance of 10.5-11 km from Pulna to the Valley of Flowers. You will have to go this distance by trekking on foot.
Will not get Enter without an id card
If you are planning to go to the valley, then let us tell you, before going inside the valley, you will have to register, for which you will have to give your ID card and ₹ 150 (entry fee), only then, you will be allowed to go inside. will be given. An additional fee of Rs 250 for foreigners and Rs 50 for Indians will have to be paid for each additional day. Less than a kilometer from Ghangaria is a Forest Department checkpoint, marking the official beginning of the Valley of Flowers. This is where you pay the money and get your permit.
This Whole article is originally written by Deepak Bisht on wegarhwali.com. With his permission, It is translated into English. if you find some errors. Please correct us. :)