- Wednesday, February 12, 2025
The quintessential richness of Himalayan folklore and mythology has drawn the imagination of the world since ancient times.
By: Subhasish Chakraborty
As the world strides ahead, there is an all-enveloping awareness of a world that is veering more and more towards the “Planet and People First” phenomenon, with the North Indian state of Uttarakhand, magnetized by the mighty Himalayas, truly evolving as New India’s most preferred Conscious Travel destination.
The lure of the Himalayas
The Himalayas are an enigma, and so be it! Spanning a distance of 2,500 km in length and between 350 to 150 km in breadth, with a maximum summit of approximately 9 km above sea level, the greatest mountain range on Planet Earth is renowned for its rarefied grandeur and diversity in terms of geography as well as centuries-old culture.
Legends and exhilarating tales of epic adventures and stellar mountaineering feats abound, glorifying the Himalayas. The quintessential richness of Himalayan folklore and mythology has drawn the imagination of the world since ancient times. No wonder, the adventure continues to evolve, as humanity strives to fathom the sheer magnitude of the Himalayas.
In a world reeling under global warming and climate crises, the Indian state of Uttarakhand comes as a breath of fresh air. With the snow-capped high Himalayan peaks like Nanda Devi (7,816m), Chaukhamba (7,138m), Panchchuli (6,904m), and Trishul (7,120m) standing like sentinels, Uttarakhand’s pristine landscapes remain a haven for nature lovers.
Uttarakhand’s topography is challenging, with the mountainous state of Himachal Pradesh to the northwest, Tibet to the northeast, Nepal in the southeast, and the state of Uttar Pradesh in the south. Both the Greater Himalayas and the Lesser Himalayan zones fall within Uttarakhand. It isn’t surprising that some of India’s highest peaks, like Nanda Devi (7,817m) and Badrinath (7,138m), are located here.
Hollywood and the Western World
Uttarakhand is the land of Yoga, and Rishikesh is regarded as the Yoga Capital of the World. From ancient times, mystics and yogis have preferred the Uttarakhand Himalayas for their spiritual practices. In fact, the Kasar Devi Hill—an eerie spiritual hub and part of India’s Van Allen Belt—has attracted not just the saints or the “Rishis” of yore, but also great thinkers and creatives of contemporary times. Notable personalities who have spent time at Kasar Devi Hill in search of spiritual solace include Bob Dylan, D.H. Lawrence, George Harrison, Allen Ginsberg, Uma Thurman, Sunyata Baba (Alfred Sorensen), and Steve Jobs.
Not many are aware that an exclusive spiritual retreat in Rishikesh was where the British rock band, The Beatles, stayed and experimented with ancient Indian spiritual practices like Transcendental Meditation (TM) way back in 1968.
The Beatles Ashram, originally established by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi in the 1960s, mesmerized the band members with Maharishi’s spiritual quest and teachings. Their epoch-making visit in February 1968 was a defining moment for India’s spiritual identity, influencing the Western world’s perception of the ancient Sanatani Hindu tradition. George Harrison, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, and Ringo Starr, along with their spouses, arrived in India, causing a media frenzy.
Once settled at the Rishikesh Ashram, they delved deep into their spiritual journey, drawing inspiration from their ashram life in the foothills of the Himalayas. This period inspired some of their best compositions and further strengthened the West’s fascination with Indian spirituality.
There must be a reason why great Swamis, Hollywood celebrities, and tech wizards chose the Uttarakhand Himalayas over all others for meditation and Yoga! Perhaps, these enlightened souls were drawn to the region due to its tremendously pure combination of 100% high-altitude oxygen, carbon-neutral surroundings, and the blessings of ancient saints.
Meditative treks & trails
To explore the rarefied beauty of the Uttarakhand Himalayas, the quaint hill station of Almora, also popularly referred to as the “Cultural Capital of Kumaon,” could be an ideal base. Almora is beautifully perched at an altitude of 1,642m, and I must confess, the profundity of the jaw-dropping Himalayan peaks is deeply touching.
Kasar Devi:
I would give Kasar Devi a five-star rating. If you are in search of true bliss, this is the place to be. Just 9 km away from Almora, the Himalayan panorama surrounding Kasar Devi is breathtaking. When it comes to soul enrichment, the entire Kasar Devi hill is actually a massive geomagnetic radiation field, courtesy of the Van Allen Belt. There are only two other such Van Allen Belts—Machu Picchu in Peru and Stonehenge in England.
Pindari Glacier Trek:
This is a moderately challenging trek meant for experienced trekkers. You need to be reasonably fit, as the trek advances through thick forests, swift-flowing Himalayan streams, and rocky crests. Located at an altitude of 12,300 feet above sea level, the awe-inspiring sight of Pindari Glacier at Zero Point has mesmerized trekkers from around the world.
For an exhilarating trekking experience, you can embark on a journey from Almora to Kharkiya by 4×4 drive and continue on foot. The stretch from Khati to Dwali is particularly challenging due to its steep terrain and dramatic topography. However, all your fatigue vanishes once you set up camp and relax against the magnificent backdrop of Pindari Glacier.
Dunagiri Trek:
One of India’s most hallowed Yoga and meditation hubs, Dunagiri, is the preferred place for practicing Kriya Yoga as propounded by the ancient sage, His Holiness Mahavatar Babaji. The meditation chamber (cave) is tucked away in Kukuchina on the Pandukholi mountain.
Spiritual seekers engage in deep meditation and Kriya Yoga, which has garnered worldwide attention as a tool for attaining elevated spiritual consciousness. Mahavatar Babaji is believed to be around 2,000 years old (presuming that he is alive). It was Swami Paramahansa Yogananda who first introduced Mahavatar Babaji to the world through his literary work, “Autobiography of a Yogi.”
Wilderness vistas
Corbett National Park—The land of roar, trumpet, and song
The world-famous Corbett National Park spans an area of 525 sq. km. Originally covering 323.75 sq. km, it was later expanded to provide sufficient habitat for tigers and elephants. Today, the only shooting allowed is with a camera.
This grassland is home to elephants, cheetals, deer, sambhar, hog deer, and, of course, tigers. The park’s altitude varies between 385m to 1,210m above sea level. The average summer temperature is 42°C, while the average winter temperature drops to 4°C.
Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary—Beauty & the Beast!
Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary is classified as an IUCN Category IV Species Management Zone and is home to leopards, Himalayan goral, musk deer, wild boar, jungle cats, Sumatran serow, rhesus macaques, and giant flying squirrels, to name just a few. However, it is most famous for its leopards.
Wrapping up
People from across the world come to the Himalayas in search of peace and solitude. Practicing yoga and meditation in the Himalayas can be a deeply purifying experience. The Uttarakhand Himalayas, a hub of Yoga and meditation since ancient times, has emerged as contemporary India’s most idyllic region for spiritual seekers. With high oxygen concentration and carbon-neutral sites, Uttarakhand offers an irresistible invitation to indulge in a rejuvenating body-mind-soul purification journey.
(The author is a travel writer and can be contacted at [email protected])
