Soaring heights, steep jagged peaks, alpine glaciers, green meadows, unfathomable gorges, life giving rivers and beautiful valleys. The Himalayas, for thousands of years have held a great significance for the south Asians as their literature, mythology and religions have sprouted from its existence. The Himalayan range is home to Earth's highest and some of the most beautiful peaks. Here, as my tribute to these mighty mountains, is my list of 5 of the most beautiful peaks in Uttarakhand Himalayas of India.
1. Mt. Shivling (21,467 ft.), Garhwal Himalayas, Uttarakhand
2. Panchachuli (22,651 ft.), Kumaon Himalayas, Uttarakhand
3. Chaukhamba (23,419 ft.), Garhwal Himalayas, Uttarakhand
4. Nanda Devi (25,643 ft.), Kumaon Himalayas, Uttarakhand
5. Changabang (22,520 ft.), Garhwal Himalayas, Uttarakhand
1. Mt. Shivling (21,467 ft.), Garhwal Himalayas, Uttarakhand
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| Mt. Shivling as seen from Tapovan |
Europeans call it the 'Matterhorn of Asia' due to its striking resemblance with the Matterhorn Peak of Switzerland. For me, Mt. Shivling is one of the most stunning peak of the Garhwal region, purely because of its structure rising as a sheer pyramid above the snout of the Gangotri Glacier. Located in the Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand and 6 kms south to Gaumukh, its name refers to its status as a sacred symbol of the Lord Shiva's Linga.
Mt. Shivling is actually a twin-summit mountain with its north-east summit being slightly higher than the southwest summit, but appears as a single structure when seen from Gaumukh. A popular pilgrimage site since ancient times, Tapovan along with Nandanvan have now become a trekker's paradise due to the vast meadows and inspiring view of the Gangotri group of mountains.
2. Panchachuli (22,651 ft.), Kumaon Himalayas, Uttarakhand
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| Panchachuli-The five peaks |
Located in the Kumaon Himalayas, Panchachuli massif is a group of five towering snow clad pointy peaks painted on the blue skies of the Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand. The altitudes of the peaks ranges from 20,781 ft. to 22,651 ft. The highest of them, Panchachuli II stands tall at a height of 22,651 ft. above sea level. Legend has it that the five Pandavas cooked their last meal on these five peaks before ascending to heaven after the great war of Mahabharata. 'Pancha' means 'Five' in sanskrit and 'Chuli' means 'Peak', hence Panchachuli (Five Peaks). There is a trekking route through the villages of Darma Valley till Panchachuli Base Camp, which not many people know of. This place is very near to Tibet to the north and Nepal to the east. The trail runs through Dhauli Ganga River and an inner line permit needs to be taken from Dharchula, from where the trek starts.
3. Chaukhamba (23,419 ft.), Garhwal Himalayas, Uttarakhand
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| Chaukhamba massif as seen from Deoria Taal, Uttarakhand |
At the head of the Gangotri glacier in the Gangotri group of mountains of Garhwal Himalaya, lies a four pillared behemoth Chaukhamba, the beauty of which has left all the nature lovers, trekkers and expeditioners in love with it. 'Chau' means 'Four' and 'Khamba' means 'Pillar' in Hindi, hence the name Chaukhamba, the four pillared mountain. One of the most ultra-prominent peaks of Garhwal Himalayas, the elevation of the four summits on the massif ranges from 22,487 ft. to 23,419 ft. above sea level. The highest is Chaukhamba I (23,419 ft.). One can get a clear view of the massif from Deoria Taal in Uttarakhand which is an alpine lake on the Saari to Chandrashila Peak trek circuit. I have been lucky to once witness the grandeur of this peak during my trek to Chandrashila.
4. Nanda Devi (25,643 ft.), Kumaon Himalayas, Uttarakhand
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| Nanda Devi massif during sunset |
In the mid 1950s when Tenzing Norgay Sherpa, of Everest fame, was asked which was the toughest climb he has ever attempted, he surprised everyone by saying Nanda Devi instead of Mt. Everest. Such is the grandeur of this insuperable peak!
For years mountaineers have been telling the tales of the tough climb to the peak and how it has taken many lives. Regarded as the patron Goddess of Uttarakhand Himalayas, its name means 'Bless Giving Goddess'. Due to its religious significance and very fragile ecosystem, the surrounding Nanda Devi National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1988. A two peaked massif, Nanda Devi-West and Nanda Devi-East, the western summit is higher standing at a height of 25,643 ft. above sea level as compared to eastern summit at 24,390 ft. Nanda Devi is the highest peak in the Indian Himalayas (totally inside the country borders). When first climbed in 1936, it was the highest peak conquered by man on earth until the ascent of Annapurna (26,545 ft.) peak of Nepal in 1950. The closest one can get to this majestic peak is by attempting Nanda Devi Base Camp Trek, which starts from Musiyari, a small village in Uttarakhand.
5. Changabang (22,520 ft.), Garhwal Himalayas, Uttarakhand
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| The famous western wall of the Changabang Peak |
Deep in the Garhwal Himalayas of Uttarakhand, standing tall at a height of 22,520 ft. above sea level, lies the steep, fang shaped, Changabang Peak, the beauty of which has made poets out of many mountaineers. The peak is so steep that it is very hard for any great quantity of snow to remain on it, yet it shines white in the moonlight due to the white granite in its composition. Viewed from the south-west, Changabang looks invincible as it towers like a straight pillar but when viewed from North side, it looks less impressive. One can get a clear view of Changabang from the Bagini Glacier only if expeditions are allowed in Nanda Devi Sanctuary in Uttarakhand.
