You may already know that I love trekking, if you’re a regular reader of my blog. Since the birth of Atyudarini, I’ve been on just my first one recently, at Spa, Belgium. More about it is coming up soon. Stay tuned. That said, a Himalayan trek is very much in my wishlist and the place that tops it, is the Roopkund Trek…
Pic Courtesy: Bikat Adventures
There is a fiction, a folklore among the women of Himalayas, that the Himalayan Goddess, got enraged that she was defiled by outsiders that she flung hailstones as hard as iron balls and killed them. Fact is stranger than fiction and there is no other place that defines this than Roopkund, because this story turns out to be a fact!!!
Pic Courtesy: Schwiki via Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 4.0
In 1942, when India was a British Colony, a Forest Guard H K Madhawl, spotted some 200 skeletons in Roopkund, located 16000 feet above sea level. Being WWII period, he thought they were Japanese intruders. Much later in 2004, finally, with the advancement in DNA Technology, the mystery of who they were, was finally solved. They were a small group of similar people and a large group of assorted people, who are assumed to be pilgrims guided by locals. They seem to have been attacked by blunt force on the head which caused their death. Did you guess it? Yes, hailstones indeed, which were as big as cricket balls! This has happened in 9th C CE.
Pic Courtesy: Bikat Adventures
Some of these skeletons even have their hair and flesh intact, thanks to the freezing temperatures and dry winds of the Himalayan region. Apart from these some of their belongings has also been preserved under layers of snow including rings, spears, leather shoes, and bamboo staves. This major section of unrelated people (i.e., the pilgrims), share most of their dna with Iran while the small group of related people share their dna with local people. Some of the skeletons are in display at the Anthropological Museum of India in Dehradun.
Pic Courtesy: By Djds4rce via Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 3.0
I was first intrigued by this. It is believed that they are pilgrims because there was no traditional commercial route in this region however it was used to reach the Nanda Devi Shrine. Personally I was also reminded of the Ancient Greeks who got lost in this region. Often they are referred to as the ‘Lost Children of Alexander the Great’. However the timeline contradicts as this happened in 850 CE while Alexander is from 350 BCE.
Pic Courtesy: Bikat Adventures
So yes, till date, many of those skeletons are there! However most are in the depths of a frozen lake, which are visible only for one month every year when the ice melts. But to reach the spot, it takes atleast a 5-6 days trek in a difficult terrain, which makes it one of the best treks in India. The trail is however an incredibly beautiful one with views of peaks of Kedarnath, Chaukhamba, Neelkantha, Trishul & Nanda Ghunti. Today the situation isn’t that amazing. Sadly, the skeletons are being taken by trekkers and locals alike as a trophy, a souvenir. So currently it is being considered to bring this region under protection.
Pic Courtesy: Bikat Adventures
The usual visit begins at Lohajung, which is the last electrified village before heading into Roopkund. The trek by any standard isn’t an easy one, not even a moderate one. Trekking organizers like Bikat Adventures, mention this as moderate to difficult. I’d say it is more towards difficult, esp if you aren’t a very experienced trekker. Physical fitness is extremely crucial and so are the trekking gear. Till date hail storms are common and many trekkers have faced atleast one in course of their trek.
Pic Courtesy: Bikat Adventures
If you know me, you’d know I’m rather fascinated by anything historical and with so much of mystery shrouded around it, this has to be my top priority when I plan a Himalayan trek. Since this trek reaches altitudes of more than 5000m climb, experience in terms of hiking for long hours, and not having altitude sickness etc are a must. This cannot be my first Himalayan trek for it is long, high, cold and difficult. This can only be done after doing a few lighter Himalayan treks. I don’t know if I’ll be able to do, but I really hope I do. Fingers crossed…..
P.S: In collaboration with Bikat Adventures.
I have read about the Roopkund skeletons. What I didn't know was that they go way back to the 9th C CE! And you say that some hair is still intact? Wow.
ReplyDeleteI have heard about this trek for the first time from one of my friend who has recently gone there. After listening to his stories, I also secretly wish to take up this trek but I am very poor in trekking. Now I am intrigued by the skeletons.
ReplyDeleteHoly mother, what a story. Death by hailstones with the size of a cricket ball... I never heard of these skeletons before but the whole story behind sounds interesting. Even with out these mysterious skeletons the trail sounds and looks already really worth to visit but this makes it even more exciting. I hope this region will be brought under protection, skeletons been taken as souvenirs doesnt really sound like that good...
ReplyDeleteVery interesting story, I can see why it's high on your list of places to trek in the Himalayas. I would like to do a trek here one day as well, it looks and sounds fascinating. Not sure I'd be happy to come across a bunch of skeletons though!
ReplyDeleteWhat an adventure filled blog!
ReplyDeleteThe skeletons sounds very scary to me! but, Im sure it add's to the charm of the trek! that's so crazy that some even have there flesh and hair intact still omg... I hope it didn't smell!
- that blonde bikini girl
That Roopkund story is like a scenario out of a modern day disaster movie. I would not want to go anywhere there was a possibility of hailstones that large. Not a trekker, anyway, but love to read stories of people who are into trekking.
ReplyDeleteWow what a fascinating trek roopkund seems but not fir the faint hearted. The skeletons on top some with still flesh is a bit spooky and not for the faint hearted. The way there seems so beautiful through the beautiful valleys. Great place to visit. Amar singh
ReplyDeleteGood luck! Hope you can make it. I have never tried going to such high attitudes, would like to try with something simplier first.
ReplyDeleteFascinating story and hell of a hike. I would love to do this. Himalayas have been in my sights for a long time.
ReplyDeleteThis is one trek, I have been meaning to go for a long time. Apart from the mysterious skeletons, its the amazing views which have put Roopkund on the top of my to do treks.
ReplyDeleteWow, that history is amazing. That sounds like some trek. I am not a hiker but my husband and son have hiked in the Himalayas and absolutely loved it.
ReplyDeleteRoopkund looks an amazing place for trekking. It's also a risky place as sudden hailstorms kills thousands of people.
ReplyDeleteI never knew about this skeleton story here in Himalayas. The trekking through this beautiful mountain range must be beautiful but interesting also as it is related to centuries ago. First I too thought of Greek DNA in those skeletons but as per your article it is not matching the timeline. Great interesting story.
ReplyDeleteI love trekking but never heard of this one. Going to bookmark this page and hopefully get to experience this myself soon. love your writing as well
ReplyDeleteAnna