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.
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.
please send me the information on the treks to be organised in the month of June and July 2013
ReplyDeletegeetakale5389@gmail.com