Mysterious RoopKund

Roop Kund, at a height of 5029 (16500 ft) mtrs, is situated in eastern part of Chamoli district, Uttrakhand (UK) in the lap of Trishul Massif, 7122 mtrs.   It is not a very large kund (lake) and is rather shallow having a depth of only about 2 mtrs.  The edges are snow covered for most part of the year.  When snow melts, one can see human and equine skeletons.   It is said that about 300 people had died about 500-600 years ago.  There are many theories to explain the findings but none which can satisfactorily unlock the mystery surrounding the area.  Hence, the lake is also known as The Mystery Lake. 

The skeletons were discovered in 1942 by a park ranger named HK Madhwal.  Initially, it was believed that the skeletons belonged to people who had died from an epidemic, landslide or a blizzard.  However, in 1960s samples were collected and the carbon dating indicated to some extent that the skeletons belonged to people from the 12th century to the 15th century.

(From Wikepedia)
The cause behind the mass grave at Roopkund remained a mystery until 2004 when additional research, spurred by a National Geographic Society documentary unearthed new facts about the skeleton lake. It was found that the remains were not only much older than originally thought, dating from 850 A.D. to be more precise, but also that all the deceased individuals had been victims of a massive and obviously deadly hail storm.

The DNA evidence indicated that there were two distinct groups of people, one a family or tribe of closely related individuals, and a second of a smaller, shorter group of locals, likely hired as porters and guides. Rings, spears, leather shoes, and bamboo staves were found, leading experts to believe that the group was comprised of pilgrims heading through the valley with the help of the locals.

Further study of the fractured skulls revealed that the unlucky lot at Roopkund lake would have had little or no shelter from this epic storm. Most would have succumbed quickly to the volley of hailstones which archeologists believe were the size of cricket balls.  What is still unclear is why such a large group came to be in this desolate corner of the Himalayas. Roopkund Lake is not on or even remotely near any trade routes and is not historically known for being a site of religious pilgrimage. 
Today Roopkund lake is a famous “trekking destination” visited by groups of hardy trekkers. 

The Nanda Devi Jat Festival
A religious festival is held at the alpine meadows of Bedni Bugyal every autumn with nearby villages participating. This is an annual festival.  However, a larger celebration, the Nanda Devi Raj Jat, takes place once every 12 years at Roopkund.  
During this long (3 weeks) Nanda Devi Raj Jat, people from the entire Garhwal and Kuman areas as well as from other parts of India come and participate in the Yatra.  The Jat or the Yatra (Travel) starts from Nauti village near Karnprayag and goes up to the heights of Roopkund and Homekund with a four horned sheep. 

After the puja (havan-yagna) is over, the sheep is freed with decorated ornaments, food and clothing.   This next 12th year Nanda Devi Jat Yatra will be held in the year 2013 somewhere around Aug 2013.  See you there.

1 comment:

  1. please send me the information on the treks to be organised in the month of June and July 2013

    geetakale5389@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete