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| Dhauli ganga on Lata Malari road |
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| Malari village |
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| Map |
As a travelling freak, I always try to venture out of my place in search of new horizons; new exotic and mystic places or even sinister places I had not seen before and get an altogether different experience of India we are living in. So, when my friend Tommy Singh insisted to travel to Himalayas again, explaining that even one full life is not enough to see all the mystic places in this amazing creation of God called “Himalayas”, I opened the map of Uttarakhand. My gaze was locked on a road on the map, which led towards further north of Joshimath and then suddenly disappeared after a point “Malari” and "Niti" . Suddenly I recalled, I had my introduction with Malari and Niti almost 8 years back by a friend of mine who had been there and informed me of Mahatma Gandhi's ashes passing through Malari village and Niti Pass to Holy Mansarovar Lake . Had heard that it was far off out of this world, heavenly hamlets surrounded by mist and mighty snowy mountains, a lands end and beyond which nobody knew what lies ahead.
Within 3 days we were on our way. From Mumbai to Delhi by air and then by car to Rishikesh. Next day early in the morning we left for Joshimath by NH 58 passing through picturesque landscape and scenic towns of Devaprayag, Srinagar, Rudraprayag, Gochar and Nandprayag , finally reaching Joshimath by evening. Wow! Early next day, we left for Malari, a journey of about 60 Kms from Joshimath. As we got farther away from Joshimath, we could see the snow capped mountain peaks in front of us, on the right and the left. I just watched them with awe. On reaching Tapovan, we bought some groceries. At Suraithota, we stopped for a cup of tea and snacks. The sun was already on the verge of getting behind the mountain range and a strong cold wind was blowing through the valley. The road had a steep uphill and downhill gradient and one wrong turn of the steering and you are down in your grave!Finally we arrived at Malari, our destination, before it got dark. Malari is situated just above the valley of Dhauli Ganga at an altitude of 10,000 feet from the mean sea level. We retired for the day at a PWD inspection house. Contrary to my expectations, the inspection house suit had brand new furniture and clean bedding. The watchman cum housekeeper got us some nice warm tea, while we got cozy on the sofa. As it was getting dark, I thought of capturing some of the nature’s wonder and my goodness! What a place! Beautiful and brutal! A cold desert! Suddenly the wind was getting stronger and piercing. There was no body on the road. Was it because of off-season of October? The snow peaks surrounding Malari at the creeping dusk were looking mystic and mysterious. Then I knew... it was after all a part of Nanda Devi Bioshere(read my link below). A beauty with same aura of mystery and hidden secrets. I shivered and returned back hurriedly. Malari in the Dhauli Ganga valley of the Nanda Devi Biosphere reserve is a small village near the Tibet border. This area has been declared as a world heritage site. Located 61 km from Joshimath, it is also possible to reach here from Badrinath. In this polluted world, Malari is a God’s gift of purity, a nature’s wonder and a breath of fresh air. One values the fact that places like this are difficult, indeed, to preserve. Those of us who are lucky to visit these remote amazing destinations, thank God for giving this opportunity and pray that this fragile eco-system of the endangered birds and animals, the rare and delicate herbs and plants that grow here are preserved.Nity village and Niti Pass (5070 meters) |
| Niti Valley near Malari |
Next day, we went to Nity village, the last village on Indian side before Tibet through a treacherous drive. And I will tell you, WHY?The Niti Valley is situated to the east of the Mana Valley. Niti village, located at an elevation of 3,600 m, is the most important village of the valley. To the north of this village is the Niti Pass (5,800 m) leading to southern Tibet. The region receives heavy snowfall.
In 1948 Mahtma Gandhi’s ashes after his death were taken to Holy Mansarovar Lake for rituals through Niti pass.
Just after this pass Tibet Valley (now in China) starts in which Mansarovar Lake is situated. This village is the last village of Niti valley and is located at Indo -Tibet Border. We visited The Nanda Devi temple and Mahadev (God Shiva) the two most beautiful attractions of the village. The village was surrounded by beautiful mountains with river Dhauli Ganga flowing down from Tibet. The rare flora and fauna, peaceful hill life, crystal clear water and mangrove lined peeks offered a dream view of the rare gifts of nature! We just sat near the temple looking further north distantly at what supposed to be Niti Pass...and we were lost????
We returned by evening to Lata village on way back to Joshimath, passing Malari for a night stay at Lata village.
Lata valley and Lata village
A very picturesque and peaceful village. The village is a starting point for the world famous "Nanda Devi Trek" through the Nanda Devi National Park (check my link below).
The villagers were cordial and they were actively into Eco-tourism. They had old style houses for guests. The meals provided by them at their home was simple and delicious.
Next day early in the morning, we strolled around the village enjoying the smiles of villagers. The air was crisp and the sky was lit with an amazingly hushed bright glow. I could see that there was fresh snow on all the surrounding peaks.
Finally the time had come to return back to Joshimath...with a heavy heart and sweet memories..
Stay
Apart from PWD Inspection House, you can stay at Panchayat Guest House at Malari.A nice option is to stay in village Lata on the way to Malari from Joshimath. However, families may find it difficult if the members are not adventurous.
But let me tell you, it's once in a lifetime experience. You can make a tour itinerary incorporating CHOPTA TUNGANATH, DEORITAL TREK, JOSHIMATH, AULI and the final mystic wonder MALARI and NITI VELLEYRelated post:Here