This Spiritual Voyage to the mystic land of Valley of Flowers lying in the high altitude of Himalayas has been organized by “THE WORLD UNITED” headed by Dr.Yugandhar GR (Gen Surgeon & Spiritual Teacher) Founder Institute of Transformational Medicine Hyderabad.

THE WORLD UNITED a binding force facilitating the unfolding of positive transformation by bringing the great transformational leaders together. It has taken the role of bringing Global Harmony to this planet by connecting various individuals, leaders and groups working in diverse fields such as Spiritual Science, Holistic Health & Environment under one platform.

Route Taken : Delhi – Rishikesh – Joshimath – Badrinath – Govindghat – Ghangaria – Valley of Flowers

Introductory note on Valley : High in the Himalayan ranges of Garhwal hills of Uttaranchal lies an enchanted valley. A valley blessed with various flowers and its fragrance. Legends associate this valley with the area from where Hanumanji of Ramayana collected 'Sanjeevani' herbs to revive Lakshmana, the younger brother of Rama. It’s believed to be the land of fairies, angles and mystics. Unknown to humans for centuries finally one day, nature condescended to bless humans with this heavenly sight, when Frank Smith - mountaineer, explorer, and botanist - chanced upon it in the monsoon of 1931. He authored a book called "The Valley of Flowers" which unveiled the beauty and floral splendors of the valley and made the world sit up and watch.

It was declared a National Park in 1982, and now it is a World Heritage Site.

THE JOURNEY : The journey of thousand miles begins with one step as it is said, we all started our journey to Valley of Flowers from Delhi . The start point to all travelers going towards these mystic lands. We had a brief stay at a Hotel to refresh ourselves and some source of energy for physical body (Food). Our immediate destination being Rishikesh – which is 227 KM from Delhi.

Alaknanda River can be observed through-out the drive. At a perfect vantage view you can halt to capture mesmerizing view of the magnificent confluences of Gahrwal Himalayas namely Devprayag, Rudraprayag, Karanprayag and Nanda prayag. the word prayag stands for confluence - so, these are the places where two rivers join. It’s a Ghat road all the way as at Rishikesh we are at an altitude of 356m and Joshimath is at 1890 m. So the journey is not as easy as we were on Bus.

By the time we reached it was late and we all were exhausted, had a quick night stay at a hotel as we had to leave early morning to Badrinath. Starting on time and early is very important on these tracks.

Joshimath – Badrinath 44Km : Our next destination being Badrinath, Abode of Lord Vishnu. Badri means the tree of berry. It is said that goddess Laxmi assumed the shape of a berry tree to provide Lord Vishnu shade in doing penance here. We were to reach an altitude of 3123 meters even high from Joshimath. The road has gate systems at both ends and opens for one-way traffic only. There are specific timings for opening of gates and so you have to be there on time. And our Bus driver was just rushing us to ensure we reach on time.

Checked into a Hotel , for refreshed. Slight confusion with the temple timings some said it would be open till 3pm some said it will close by 11 and reopen after 3pm. All charged up we went but alas the temple was closed and would reopen only after 3pm. Walked some distance , the clouds were playing may be hide and seek they would in minutes leave the mountains giving us a beautiful view of the wet greenery around till your eye sight could reach and suddenly the clouds would rush down covering the entire view.

Mana Village : We had time so we visited Mana Village - We could not though cover all the places . few took the Bus and rest of us walked the way enjoying the nature and the flowing river.

Located just 3 km away from Badrinath. A Mongolian tribe inhabits it. It is the last human population on this part of the world. Here it is said we find a cave called Vyas Ponthi inside which Maharshi Vyas is said to have written the epic Mahabharata. The Saraswati Udgam and Bhim Pool is a magnificent site one should not miss. The mythical river Saraswati is seen emanating from under a mountain with very powerful force before merging into Alaknada just a few meters below. It is said that Saraswati is seen only here and it flows underground to this point.

Badrinath Temple :

While coming back from Mana Village we diverted to the Temple.

The temple complex is beautiful with intricate brightly coloured artwork that resembles mughal style architecture. The King of Garhwal built this modern temple complex in the fifteenth century. Queen Ahilya of Indore donated the golden chatri which is installed in the temple. The Garbhagriha is in its ancient form. The temple is on the Narayan Parvat (mountain) on the southern banks of Alaknanda. The Nar Parvat is located on its opposite. The Nilkanth Parvat with its snow-capped peaks is overlooking the temple providing a magnificent view. The shrine is said to exist here since Satya Yuga when Lord Vishnu mediated at this place. It is said that the original statue was thrown into river Alaknanda to stop it from falling into the hands of Mangolian invaders. Adi Sankaracharya later recovered the statue nearly 2500 years ago by diving into the dangerous Narad Kund on the Alaknanda near the temple. The statue is in the form Shaligram Shila and there is no description of its origin. Adi Sankaracharya also had appointed one of his companions from Nambodiri caste (belonging to Kerala) as head priest. The head priest of this math, called Rawal ji, is still from the same Nambodiri caste. There is a hot water spring called the Tapt Kund, few steps below the temple, which has mentions in Puranas as well and where many pilgrims take bath before darshan. Alternatively, you can take a bath in the icy cold waters of Alaknanda.

We had darshan of the Lord, later Meditated for some time in the premises of the temple.

BADRINATH - GOVINDGHAT-GHANGARIA- Valley of Flower :

Govindghat is the transit point for going to Hemkund Sahib and Valley of Flowers. The trek leads one to Ghangharia, around 15 km away, from where one trek goes to hemkund Sahib and another to Valley of Flowers. Reaching Govindghat, one has to walk about a km to reach the bustling small town, which serves mostly as a starting point of the trek to Hemkund Sahib, the beautiful lake, considered holy by the sikhs. We see sikhs, sikhs, and more sikhs. In fact, there are so many of them that we start wondering if there is anybody at all going to the Valley of Flowers.

When you stand at Govindghat and raise your eyes towards the path to Ghangaria its like yeah fine we can trek. Most of our group members opted to walk , all very enthusiastically charged up to challenge the ghat road. It was only when we started we realized that it was long long way to go before we could reach Ghangaria. Raincoats yes very much needed as the clouds can cover you any moment these can be purchased for 10/- they are usually plastic sheets which are use and throw.

We could see lots and lots of mules, pittus , palkis and for the great walker’s sticks. In our initial enthusiasm and confidence, we ignore all porters and climb on with our luggage, not knowing how it was going to turn out, this being our first experience of the kind. The track is littered with mule dung and there is strong smell of mule dung which persists till Ghangria. The track is crowded by sikh pilgrims - they move along frequently chanting "Sat-naam, waahe guru!", mainly to help themselves go on. There are mules carrying goods and mules carrying people. The climb is mostly steep, and occasionally levels out.

Slowly we could see few of our wickets getting out. The trek being steep makes it too tiring and most of them moved to mules half the way. We can find small tea stalls , snaks and Tiffin’s being sold. Price is all soaring high similar to the high altitude, but as we take shot breaks we buy some eatables or have tea and get recharged. Our eyes are peeled for flowers, and we already spot species of Cobra Lily and the beautiful Inula, which is sunflower like flower. Our flower hunt has already begun. It is full of nature's scenic splendors including cascading waterfalls and cold water springs. Shrubs and wild roses grow abundantly.

Valley Of Flowers : At last all reach Ghangria which serves only one purpose - act as a base camp for people going to Hemkund and the Valley of Flowers. There no houses visible - only hotels. The passage through the village is narrow, uneven, strewn with mule-dung wetted with rain, lined with hotels on both sides. We halt at Hotel Kuber , relax get recharged with the excitement to trek another few Km’s next day to finally plunge into the Valley of Flowers.

We start by crossing a bridge across Lakshman Ganga, which we see falling down from the rocky mountain far away. It originates from the Hemkund lake. After the bridge, the path bifurcates - the right one goes to Hemkund, and the left one leads to the Valley of Flowers.

We cross the checkpost after entering our names in the register, and paying a nominal fee. The entrance itself is mystifying with its fragrance. Exotic flowers start right from here. Blue poppies are here on the rocks beside the bridge. After a 3 km uphill walk, we enter the valley, which is marked by crossing a wooden bridge, with map of valley put up next to it. There is a huge rock, with people climbing over it. We feel thirsty and fill our bottle with the stream water, which is cold and clear and tastes like mineral water (which it is, literally) with a slight overdose of minerals. The vast expanse of the valley is beautiful, and there are meadows of flowers as if somebody is maintaining a huge flower farm. We could see all the way the stretch of white flowers .

The sheer number of certain flowers is so large that most of us tend to think that there are only a few kinds of flowers there. Sometimes one has to stop and gaze, to spot some new flowers. Sometimes one has to wade in knee-deep flowers to reach an area which could have flowers of a different kind. The more you look, the more you see, and there doesn't seem to be a limit to it. It was the same with us initially we could only see the stretch of white flowers, but as we have a keen eye on our track and path inside the valley we can see few more varieties of flowers. There are regions where tall plants are totally missing, but what is there is even more enchanting. Uneven ground covered with grass and rocks - small red berries spread over rocks in one place, small white flowers dot the whole expanse; small asters, with blue daisy-like flowers heads are seen every so often.

It doesn't take long in the Valley to start raining. Clouds descend without warning, and it starts drizzling. By the time we could arrange our raincoats and wear it, it’s over so most of the times we left it and allowed ourselves to be blessed by the drizzles. The surrounding is flanked on either side by majestic peaks, many capped with snow. The Pushpawati river, emerging from the glacial deposits around Rataban and Nilgiri ranges, cuts through the Valley and divides it into two sectors. The major portion of the Valley is on its right bank and is a paradise for trekkers. Many streams flowing from glacial deposits in and around the Valley irrigate it and merge finally into the Pushpawati river.

The Valley would never end and we would never tire exploring it, but we had to come back as there was no night stay in the Valley. If we actually have to enjoy the nature and explore the flowers and valley then one day is not sufficient. While returning the clouds were like bidding adieu to us and starting pouring all the way till we reached Ghangria.

The Valley was in a crystal clean atmosphere-the mountain ranges shining like polished steel in the sunlight, rainwashed rocks with gurgling streams and sun-kissed meadows about to be covered soon with a spotless white sheet of snow.

With these magnificent views of Green Mountains, the gushing rivers, the Snow capped mountains, Clouds, drizzles, flowers & fragrance , the continues ghat road on the Himalayas we take our return journey to Rishikesh and from there to Delhi. The experience is still sinking in.

Oh mighty mountains
hiding behind the clouds
and covered by the snow
you gave us way to explore
the real beauty of the nature