||13th May – 18th May 2018 ||
The Mythology
A Kund is a natural lake or a reservoir of rainwater high in the mountains. According to mythology, Goddess Durga killed the demon Mahishasura near Bedni Kund, another sacred lake close to Bedni Bugyal, where folklore says the four holy Vedas were once written.
After the battle, Goddess Durga, accompanied by Lord Shiva, was returning to Kailash. To cleanse Herself from the bloodshed of war, Lord Shiva struck His Trishul upon the earth and created a pristine lake. After bathing in its crystal-clear waters, Goddess Durga saw the reflection of Her divine beauty upon the surface of the lake.
Folklore says that this is how the lake came to be known as Roopkund — “Roop” meaning beauty, and “Kund” meaning lake — together symbolizing “The Lake of Beauty.”
The Mystery
#Roopkund is a mysterious lake where hundreds of human skeletons have remained scattered for centuries. These skeletons become visible only when the snow covering the lake melts. Several studies and investigations have been carried out over time to uncover the truth behind them, and many believe the remains date back to around 850 AD.
What makes the mystery even deeper is the absence of any evidence of permanent human habitation in such a harsh and isolated region. Nothing clearly explains why such a large group of people travelled all the way to this remote high-altitude lake — or what caused their deaths.Adding to the mystery, many of the skulls bear similar injuries: round fractures almost the size of a cricket ball. Who were these people? What brought them here? What struck them with such force? And why did they all perish together?
Till today, mythology and folklore continue to offer their own explanations, while science keeps searching for definite answers. Whether the truth lies hidden in history, nature, or legend — only time may reveal.
Day 2
It was a beautiful morning, and all of us were filled with excitement and energy for the journey ahead. The trail began through gorgeous stretches of tall pine woods, where the cool mountain breeze and the scent of the forest made every step refreshing.
As we moved ahead, we were happily accompanied by 2–3 hairy, healthy mountain dogs from Didna Village, the place where we had spent our previous night. Their playful presence somehow made the trek feel even more lively and adventurous.
Where Beauty Meets Mystery
The Roopkund Trek is considered one of the most spectacular treks in Uttarakhand, celebrated for its breathtaking landscapes, mysterious legends, dense forests, alpine meadows, and dramatic Himalayan views that leave every trekker spellbound.
And as we slowly left behind the towering pine forests and stepped into the vast grasslands, our minds seemed to drift into a different world — almost a different time zone altogether. The feeling is difficult to express in words.
Even now, while writing these lines and travelling back to those moments in my mind, I can only describe it as mysterious… mysterious, just like the lake itself.
Between Ali Bugiyal and Bedni Bugyal, nature unfolded its majestic beauty in the most mesmerizing way imaginable…
Rolling mountain ranges stretched endlessly in every direction, wrapped in shades of lush green. Above them, the sky kept changing its colours from dark to light in the most unbelievable manner, while the clouds moved swiftly across the vast Himalayan expanse, as if the mountains themselves were breathing through them
My mind kept whispering, “My God, where am I on this very Earth? Am I stepping into a heavenly realm?”
Even today, when I look back at those moments, they feel nothing less than a dream — a beautiful dream I still wish to return to once again.
Last day of Ascend
By night, the temperature had dropped below zero. From Kalu Vinayak onwards, the trail was completely covered in snow, making it impossible for the mules and horses to carry camping supplies up to the last campsite at Bhagwabasa.
Due to several feet of heavy snow, reaching Roopkund itself was no longer possible. We trekked up to Kalu Vinayak and then descended slightly towards Bhagwabasa, situated at an altitude of 14,200 ft, from our base camp at Pathar Nachauni, which stood at around 12,800 ft. Though the distance was only about 4 km one way, the snow-covered terrain made every step demanding and unforgettable.
My Mind Resonance
There was the cold wind
with a music of its own,
whipping at our face….
and the sun was shinning from behind Mount Trishul
keeping us little warm.
They were rocky, edged sharp, dressed with soft grass.
We needed to cover a little distance,
where there was the Heaven waiving at us;
-“The Abode of Lord Shiva!”
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Regards
Dipmoina Dowarah
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