Valley of Flowers national park

Bhyundar Valley or the Valley of Flowers is situated in the Garhwal Himalayas in the newly formed state of Uttaranchal. It is near Joshimath, which, from time immemorial, has been a revered place of pilgrimage for the Hindus. It is an area with flowers of every imaginable colour and hue; the air saturated with their fragrance and a gust of Himalayan breeze that can storm one's senses. According to legends, this region was known as Nandan Kanan or the Garden of Indra (King of Paradise) in the paradise. This is also the place where Lord Hanuman found Sanjeevani Booti (the lifesaving herb) to cure Lakshmana. The latter is also said to have performed meditation on the banks of the Hemkund Lake here. The temple of Lokpal is devoted to him. Hemkund is also one of the major pilgrimage sites of the Sikhs because Guru Gobind Singh, their last Guru, is said to have united with the almighty after prolonged meditation here. The place receives a large number of Sikh pilgrims during the months of July/August.The trek towards the Valley of Flowers National Park starts from the roadhead at Govindghat, it is a long 14 kms trek to Ghangria. Since only day visits are allowed to the Valley, Ghangria serves as the base and it is usually filled with people. The trek takes a good six to seven hours and many find the going tough. The scenery is however delightful with alpine forests all around and the Bhyundar Ganga roaring past you, especially if you visit in the rainy season when the river has maximum water. After crossing the tollgate near Ghangria, one finally starts on the delightful walk towards the valley. Since a relatively lesser number of people visit the Valley, and horses are not allowed in any more, the trek is more peaceful and enjoyable. The approach to the main valley leads through lovely dense forests of oak, spruce and silver birch.

LOCATION : Valley of Flowers National Park is situated above Ghangaria in the upper reaches of the Bhyundar Ganga in the Zanskar Range of Garhwal Himalayas. The park is a part of Chamoli district in the Indian state of Uttaranchal. It extends from the latitude 33°44' in the North to the longitude 79°36' in the East on the map.

Best time to visit : The Valley of Flowers is accessible only in the summer, between June and October. The rest of the year, heavy snows make passage impossible, and usually block off the trail leading up to the National Park. Although you can visit the park any time during the summer, it's best to go in August or September, when monsoon showers turn the valley into a mass of blooms.

Entry Requirements : All visitors to the Valley of Flowers need to obtain an entry permit from the Forest Checkpost at the entrance to the park, beyond Ghangaria. The fee is a nominal one- at least for Indians, who pay significantly less than foreigners. The permit is valid for three days, and additional charges are levied for still cameras; video cameras are allowed only if you're carrying a special permit from the Chief Wildlife Warden in Lucknow. Visitors are allowed into the park only during the daytime.