If you have learned in your geography class that Tapovan is a place where the mythological lord Krishna meditated. I went through google to find many blogs, websites, and books that claimed that Tapovan lies in the Garhwal region ( Uttarakhand) of India. But in my search, I found that all of them are misleading information. What if I tell you that Tapovan lies in the Indus Valley which was the start of all civilizations.
Gaumukh Tapovan is a Himalayan trek located in Chamoli district of Uttarakhand. It is situated at the confluence of Bhagirathi (River Ganga) and Alaknanda (River Gomati). The trek to the Gaumukh Glaciers takes you to a beautiful place where you can enjoy the views of snow clad peaks, greenery, and sea rene atmosphere.
Overview
Gaumukh Tapovan is a beautiful spot on the banks of Gathe nges river located in Himachal Pradesh. The word “Tapovan” is derived from Sanskrit and means a place where one stays during hot summer or a cold winter. The entire region of Tapovan can be described as a place outside human habitation which remains cut-off from the rest of the world during certain periods.
Gaumukh Tapovan is one of the most popular destinations for the Hindu pilgrims who want to go on religious treks. This place has a lot of historical significance and legends associated with it. In this article w,e will explore more about Gaumukh Tapovan and its renowned myths, that makes it one of the favourite stops for Hindus in India.
The Gaumukh Tapovan trek is located in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand, in the beautiful Himalayas. It is a rather popular destination for adventure seekers and nature enthusiasts. The trek takes you to a lake located at an altitude of about 4500 m or 14695 feet, and it is on top of the mountain of that name, which literally translates to “mouth of cow”. It is a strenuous trek but offers spectacular views during the climb itself, as well as once you get there.
What makes this trek so special?
Gaumukh Tapovan Trek offers a spectacular glimpse of Lord Shiva and his wife Parvati. It has one of the best views of the Himalayan peaks in all directions. Along with the majestic view, Gaumukh Tapovan Trek features unique stone and ice alpine formations which make it an adventure that travellers remember for a long time to come.
The Tapovan Valley is a famous pilgrimage site for Hindus. The holy river Ganges flows from the glaciers of the Himalayas into this valley, making it a sacred place to many. There are three temples along the route of the trek: Hit Parvat, Surya Parvat and Gaumukh.
In Hit Parvat temple, there are idols of Lord Shiva, his wife Parvati, and his son Lord Ganesh. This temple is one of the most important temples in Uttarakhand for worshipping Lord Shiva. There is a legend about the arrival of this idol. It is said that a devotee from Nepal came with an idol of Lord Shiva and placed it here. After some years, he returned and found that the idol had disappeared. He then prayed to God to help him find his idol at that same spot where he had left it. He went back a few years later and saw that the idol had appeared again in exactly the same spot he had left it before! So he took out his old idol and left his new one behind in its place. This temple has many other legends associated with it as well.
How to reach?
Gaumukh is a peak situated in the Garhwal Himalayan range at a height of 6367mts. and located in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand. Gaumukh Tapovan trek is an outstanding trek located in the heart of Uttarakhand, close to Badrinath temple. This trek is situated in the dense forests of the Garhwal Himalayas, offering great views of mountains like Nanda Devi and Trishul, and it’s full of hidden natural beauty.
By air: The nearest airport is Jolly Grant which is about 180 km away from Badrinath. There are frequent flights available from Delhi to Jolly Grant Airport. The other option is to reach Dehradun directly and then drive to Badrinath which takes 5-6 hours via Jolly Grant Airport.
By road: From Dehradun, take the route via Mussoorie to Gwaldam via Devprayag. From Gwaldam, Badrinath is another 45 km away. There are bus services available from Dehradun to Badrinath which takes 8 hours via Haridwar, Rishikesh, Kotdwara, and Gwaldam.
By train: To reach Gaumukh tapovan by train, first, you have to reach Dehradun railway station. From there, take a Dehradun-Rishikesh passenger train and reach the Rishikesh railway station. From there, board a Haridwar-Gaumukh passenger train and reach the destination.
Best time to visit
Gaumukh Tapovan is a famous spot for Hindu Pilgrims. Every year a number of pilgrims take the holy dip in this water to cleanse their bodies and soul from sins. The trek to reach this place is only possible in the months of July and August, as the river is flowing high in the months of June, July and August.
Things to carry
When you’re planning to go on a trek, whether it be a short one or a long one, you need to prepare yourself for all the challenges that nature can offer. You need to be prepared for all kinds of weather, from heavy rain to strong winds, and of course, you will also have to carry all the things that you need for your journey. That’s why it’s important that when you’re packing for your trek, you make sure to bring along the following items:
- A water bottle
- A compass
- A flashlight or a headlamp
- Plenty of high-energy food (candy bars, dried fruits)
- Sturdy shoes
- Trekking poles (if available)
- Sunscreen lotion
- Headgear
- Gloves
- A pair of sunglasses
- A bottle of water or a hydration pack for carrying water in your backpack
- Lip balm (always a must)
These are the most important things that you should take along with you when you go on a trek in areas like Gurmukh tapovan.
Takeaway
Gurmukh tapovan trek is one of the most famous treks in India. It is one of the most exciting trekking destinations in Uttarakhand which begins from Gangotri to Gaumukh. It takes about 15 days with a difficulty level of moderate along with spectacular views and an exceptional feeling for nature lovers. The trail passes through pretty towns and villages like Rudraprayag and ends at the holy place Gangotri. From Gangotri to Gaumukh the trail passes through Pathan tall and Uttrakhand.
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