Har ki Doon - Day 2

Har ki Doon - Day 0

Har ki Doon - Day 1

Detailed journey of Day 0 and Day 1 can be read in the above mentioned links.

We started this trek with great ardency. After first two days, including tiresome journey of long 12 hours on the curvy roads on day 0 and fatigued but fascinating walk in forests of approximately 15 kms on day 1, we were ready to begin our day 3 journey to Har ki Doon valley with the same vigour.

We spent a beautiful night in tents under the starry sky, in the chilling breeze and midst of supersized mountains. Next morning we got up at 6 A.M. and were mesmerized by the captivating beauty around. Snow covered mountains, rising sun, distant view of Seema village was all enough to spellbind us.

Soon we started packing our bags and tents as we had to cover remaining 8-9 kms to Har ki Doon by 2 O'clock. Meanwhile our cook prepared our breakfast and served us with hot tea and maggie. After having breakfast and clicking some pictures we resumed our rest of the journey.

Packing Tents

Getting Ready to Trek

Team Ready to begin onward journey

Team Har ki Doon (PC: Rosy)

And the Journey Begins (PC: Rosy)

Resting and Catching Breath

Frozen Waterfall Enroute

Journey continues to Har ki Doon

Pictures clicked during the entire journey are well describing the beauty of mother nature. We continued walking uphill and downhill admiring the nature, passing the mountain debris, climbing big boulders, walking over snow. Around 3 O'clock we finally reached Har Ki Doon valley.

Har ki Doon is a beautiful valley situated in the western ranges of the Garhwal Himalayas. It is spreaded at the base of the Fateh Parvat. The western part of Garhwal in Uttarakhand is known as the Fateh Parvat and River Tons separate it from Himachal Pradesh. This is the only place in India where the legendary Duryodhana and Karna from Mahabharat, are worshiped.

Har ki Doon valley is situated at a height of 3688 meters or 12,100 feets from the sea level. The valley has a beautiful backdrop of the glittering snowy peaks of Swargarohini on one side and tall serried alpine, deodar trees on the other side. Beautiful Har ki Doon river flows in the valley dividing it in two parts. A wooden bridge built over the river adds more beauty to the scenic surrounding.

Last few Steps to Valley

At Har ki Doon Valley (PC: Rosy)

Har ki Doon Valley

The legend associated with the Har ki Doon valley says that it is the "Valley of God" or "Hanging valley of God". "Har" is associated with the Lord Shiva "Har Har mahadev" and the Dun is derived from "Duni" which means the place where saints and sages practice meditation. Local people says that Lord Shiva used to reside in the valley when Someshwar Devta arrived and requested the Lord Shiva to be the sole Lord of the valley. Lord Shiva respected the request of the Someshwar Devta and left the valley. Later, Someshwar Devta became the only deity in the region. These days Someshwar Devta is worshiped as manifestation of Lord Shiva. Main temple of Someshwar Devta is situated in the Jhakol village situated in the Supin Valley.

Swargarohini Peak

Har ki Doon valley is also the base location for the trek Swargarohini Peak which is 21000 feets from the sea level. The legend associated is that the Pandavas, heroes of Mahabharat fame, went to heaven from this mountain. As it's name says, "Swarg" means heaven and "Rohini" associated with gateway. So the mountain peak is also called gateway to heaven. It is believed that this is the only way through which one can go to heaven with the human body itself.

After resting for sometime and appreciating the captivating beauty of the valley we searched for the camping location. Soon after finding an apt location for camping we set our tents. The valley was entirely covered with snow. While walking around, half of our legs length were engulfed in the snow.

Enjoying at the Valley

Setting up Tents

It was one of our co trek member Ranjana Ma'am's birthday. So after setting up tents we gave a sweet surprise to her and made her day memorable. We decorated the small area in the valley with colourful balloons, ribbons, cupcakes and candles. The mastermind behind the whole thing was Rosy, one of our trek mates. Ranjana Ma'am blew the candles, cut the cupcakes, we sang "Happy Birthday" at the top most voice of ours and most important clicked pictures.

Birthday Decoration

Birthday Girl

Meanwhile our cook prepared tasty Tomato Soup for us. We enjoyed the sumptuous beauty of the valley sipping our soups, sitting river side, clicking pictures and seeing sun setting down. As the sun was saying good bye, the wind was getting more cold. Soon we set up the bonfire and enjoyed the warmth from the fire in the snow clad valley. In sometime, our dinner (Dal Chawal) was ready. After having dinner we shifted into our tents and soon shut our eyes. It was one of the most beautiful days of our lives and we were contented reaching our destination "Har ki Doon".

Rest of the journey will be covered in the next post.