Ghangaria

Ghangaria, perched high in the Himalayan mountains, is a destination of dreams and stunning landscapes. Many hikers and pilgrims to Hemkund Sahib use it as a starting point for their journey to the Valley of Flowers. Ghangaria is a lovely village with amazing natural beauty and aura, located at an altitude of 3000 meters in the heart of the Western Himalayas.

A village is a tranquil group of people who have lived in harmony with their surroundings for ages, despite the difficult weather conditions. At Ghangaria, you can completely maintain the distance from the city's stressful lifestyle and restore your senses and soul. Ghangaria is also known for adventure for those who want to explore the untouched beauty of Ghangaria.

Ghangaria Geography

Ghangaria is a small town on the way to Hemkund Sahib, a popular pilgrimage destination for Sikhs, which is about 6 km away, and the Valley of Flowers, a national park known for its diverse blossoms, which is about 3 km away. It is located in Uttarakhand, India. The elevation of Ghangaria is 3049 meters in the northern Himalayan mountains.

Ghangaria is situated at the confluence of the Bhyundar and Pushpawati rivers, which form the Lakshman Ganga, which eventually meets the Alaknanda near Govindghat. In the Bhyundar valley, it is the last village. Explorers usually use this location as a base camp when visiting Hemkund and the Valley of Flowers.

Plan My Package Recommends: Places To Visit In Ghangaria

Hemkund Sahib

This ancient Sikh pilgrimage location, nestled in the Garhwal Himalayas, attracts a significant number of devotees from all over the world each year before closing for the winter season between October and April. Sikh pilgrims begin to come to Hemkund Sahib in May, first to assist in the rehabilitation of the damaged trail over the winter months, and subsequently to do a pilgrimage. Hemkund Sahib was known as Lokpal in Hindu mythology, and it was here that Laxmana, Lord Rama's younger brother, meditated after the war to recover himself. Near Hemkund Lake, there is a shrine dedicated to Laxmana called 'Lakshmana Mandir.' This temple, as well as Hemkund Sahib Gurudwara, is visited by tourists.

Hemkund Lake

Hemkund Lake, having a circumference of 2 kilometers, is considered one of the most sacred lakes around Hemkund Sahib. The lake's name translates to 'Lake of Snow,' and it is encircled by seven snow-capped peaks that reach up to 15200 feet in elevation. Before entering the Hemkund Sahib Gurudwara, pilgrims take a sacred dip here. Snow covers the rocks around the lake for most of the year. In between the boulders, the yellow-green flower Bramha Kamal, often known as the 'Lotus of the Gods,' blooms. The site is named after Guru Govind Singh Ji, the tenth Sikh Guru, who referenced Hemkund Sahib in the Dasam Granth, a work he dedicated.

Valley of Flowers, Ghangaria

On the way to Govindghat, the beginning of the Hemkund Sahib trek, the Valley of Flowers falls. The Valley of Flowers is an Indian National Park and UNESCO World Heritage Site featuring stunning Botanic Gardens. It covers an area of 87.50 square kilometers and measures 8 kilometers in length and 2 kilometers in width. During the months of March to October, the color of the valley changes due to the blooming of various flowers. Beginning in October, the Valley of Flowers closes for the winter. Orchids, daisies, poppies, anemones, and other exotic flora abound throughout the valley. The valley trek is made more beautiful by the untamed streams and falling waterfalls. Many wildlife species, including flying squirrels and grey landers, call Valley of Flowers home. Flying squirrels, grey langurs, Himalayan weasels, red foxes, black bears, Himalayan Monals, snow leopards, lime butterflies, and other wildlife species can be found in the Valley of Flowers. The hike covers 6 kilometers from Hemkund Sahib to the Valley of Flowers.

Places near Ghangaria

Mana Village

Mana village is regarded to be India's last village, located near to the Indo-Tibet border in Uttarakhand's Chamoli District. It is located on the banks of the Saraswati River, 3219 meters above sea level, and is encircled by the Himalayas. Often, the establishments here are dubbed "India's last tea shop" or "India's final post office," and are popular photo spots for tourists. The residents of this area, which is home to Indo-Mongolian tribes known as 'bhotias,' has religious significance since the Pandavas brothers are claimed to have passed through this village on their way to paradise, according to the Mahabharata. Woolen clothes and fabrics are well-known in Mana. The villagers reside in little houses that are beautifully constructed and decorated and are worth seeing. Mana village has been designated as a 'Tourism Village' by the Uttarakhand government. Govindghat is 29.4 kilometers away from Mana Village.

Joshimath

Joshimath, also known as Jyotirmath, is a sacred town and one of Adi Shankaracharya's four ‘math’. During the winters, it is called Sri Badrinath's residence, as Lord Badhri's idol is transported from Badrinath to Joshimath's Vasudeva Temple. Hindus regard this location as sacred and a major pilgrimage destination. Here one can locate the Kalpavriksha, India's oldest tree, which is close to 1200 years old. There are temples devoted to Lord Narasimha, Naudevi, Gaurisharkar, Ganesh, Surya, and Hanuman among the Hindu Shrines to visit. Joshimath is a well-known hill station in the Tehsil of Joshimath. At the confluence of Vishnu Prayag, overlooking Joshimath, two significant rivers, the Alaknanda and the Dhauliganga, meet. Joshimath is 26 kilometers from Govindghat and sits at an elevation of 1890 meters. The distance between Hemkund and Joshimath is 45 kilometers.

Badrinath

Badrinath is a Lord Vishnu temple built by Adi Shankaracharya around the 9th century on the banks of the holy river Alaknanda. According to tradition, Lord Vishnu pondered here, oblivious of the sweltering weather, and in order to shelter him from the blazing sun, his wife Goddess Laxmi changed herself into a Badri tree to give him shade. Lord Vishnu was so moved by Goddess Laxmi's deed of love that he named the location Badrikashram after her. This temple is only open from May to October, attracting millions of pilgrims during that time. It is also one of the Char Dham yatra temples. The temple is closed throughout the winter since it is buried under a thick blanket of snow. Hemkund Sahib is just 12.6 kms away from Badrinath Dham.

Bheem Pul

The Bheem pul is located at the confluence of the Saraswati and Alaknanda rivers, where the Saraswati joins the Alaknanda at breakneck speed. According to legend, when the Pandavas of the Mahabharata were on their final journey to heaven, known as Swargarohan, they passed at a place near the Badrinath Temple where they had to cross the Saraswati river. Bheema took a massive boulder and positioned it above the river stream in such a way that it served as a bridge when their wife, Draupadi, was unable to cross the river. The Bheem Pul, as it is currently known, is located in Mana village near Badrinath.

Best Time To Visit Ghangaria

The best time to visit Ghangria is between May and September when the snow melts and the village reopens. The village is simply wonderful during this time of year, with snow covering the adjacent mountains and temperatures that, while cold, are pleasant. You will, therefore, require a large number of woolens, particularly at night.

Ghangaria Weather

This village is totally covered with snow from December to February. Around March, the skies clear, and the weather remains good into April. The weather in Ghangaria is hot and sunny in May and June. During this time, treks to the Valley of Flowers begin. Heavy rains in July and August bring a full blossom to the valley, and Ghangaria attracts a large number of tourists and trekkers. Ghangaria is open until the end of September when it closes for the winter season.

How To Reach Ghangaria

Ghangaria By Air

The nearest airport is at Dehradun, which is connected to Ghangaria via Govindghat, the largest destination accessible by motorable roads. Govindghat is easily accessible by taxi or bus. To get to Ghangaria from Govindghat, one must hike for around 13 kilometers. Helicopter services for Hemkund Sahib are accessible from Dehradun's Sehastradhara Helipad to Ghangaria Helipad, covering the distance in under an hour.

Ghangaria By Train

The nearest rail station is Rishikesh, 233 kilometers from Govindghat. For Govindghat, one can easily hire a taxi or take a bus. Ghangaria is about a 13 kms journey from Govindghat. Rishikesh Railway Station is well connected to a number of Indian towns. From Delhi to Rishikesh, there are a total of 15 trains. Hemkund Sahib is also served by the Haridwar JN railway station, which is about 305 kilometers away.

Ghangaria By Road

Ghangaria is only accessible by road from Govindghat, which is located on NH 58 and is well connected to the rest of the state by public and private buses. To go to Ghangaria, one must hike 13 kilometers from Govindghat. Hemkund Sahib is only accessible by car up to Govindghat, which is well connected to Uttarakhand's major cities. Hemkund Sahib is just 2 kms away from Ghangaria and the Valley of Flowers is just 3 kms away from Ghangaria. Govindghat is easily accessible due to its location on National Highway 58. Buses to Rishikesh from ISBT Kashmiri Gate are readily available, as are taxis to Govindghat from Rishikesh, Chamoli, Srinagar, Pauri, Haridwar, and other important Uttarakhand cities. The distance between Hemkund Sahib and Delhi is 262.3 kilometers.

Places To Stay In Ghangaria

There are many options to stay in hotels at Ghangria, you may find some of them are written below

Hotel Kuber, Ghangaria

Kuber Hotel is the ideal to go for a relaxing stay and delicious meal. It is only a few steps away from the city's hustle and bustle. Kuber Hotel in Ghangaria features a beautifully maintained exterior and exotic interior, a multi-cuisine restaurant, and both air-conditioned and non-air-conditioned rooms.

Kuber Annex, Ghangaria

Hotel Kuber's partner hotel, Kuber Annex, is located 10 minutes from the Valley of Flower's entrance. It's a place where you can expect a relaxing stay and a home-cooked meal. It is only a few steps away from the city's hustle and bustle. Surrounded by Snow Clad Mountains, the façade is beautifully planted, and the interior is fascinating.

Shree Nanda Lokpal Palace, Ghangaria

The hotel has a variety of accommodations to suit customers and travelers with a range of budgets, from affordable to luxury. The accommodations are separated into four categories: Executive Suites, Super Deluxe rooms, Deluxe rooms, and Semi Deluxe rooms, with Executive Suites being the highest level. Telephone, cable television, running hot and cold water, room service, and attached washrooms are all standard amenities in all rooms.

Valley of Flowers Camp, Ghangaria

Valley of Flowers Camp, at an elevation of 10002 feet near the Ghangaria helipad, provides luxurious swiss tents with breathtaking views of the lush green terrains, flowing waterfall, and surrounding cliffs. It includes options for double and triple occupancy. In the morning and evening, the tents have adjacent restrooms and balconies with amazing views.

Do’s & Don’t in Ghangaria

Do’s

Do keep some dry fruits or chocolates as they will provide you with instant energy.
Do visit Hemkund Sahib which is one of the highest pilgrimage sites.
Do carry sunscreen lotion as you can go on various treks from Ghangaria.