For hill-loving Bengal travellers, Uttarakhand is the flavour of the season

The Hindu

5 days ago

This monsoon, seasoned travellers from Bengal, especially those who love the hills but are wary of Kashmir and bored of Darjeeling, are headed to Uttarakhand to mix sightseeing with spiritualism.
They feel that the rainy reason, apart from its risks, also has its share of rewards in what they like to call Devbhoomi, a common sobriquet for Uttarakhand, and that this is possibly the best time of the year to be there because this is when more religious events are held there.
'Monsoon takes up most of the pilgrimage season in Uttarakhand because the month of Shravana is when devotees of Lord Shiva visit Kedarnath along with other temples such as Tunganath, Madhmaheshwar, Rudranath, Kalpeshwar. The State has witnessed massive destruction due to natural disasters during peak monsoon and yet pilgrims and tourists continue going there. Also, the Valley of Flowers is a popular destination for trekkers during this time of the year. I am going there in August,' said lyricist Swadesh Misra, who is also an advocate at the Calcutta High Court.
Dr. Anjan Kumar Kundu, professor of Radio Physics and Electronics at the University of Calcutta, is also of the opinion that while conventional wisdom warns against Himalayan treks during the monsoon — slippery trails, landslides, and fickle weather being key concerns — the Valley of Flowers defies the narrative.
'In fact, monsoon is the only time this UNESCO World Heritage Site is accessible, as it's buried under snow for much of the year. Nestled in Chamoli district and established as a national park in 1982, the Valley of Flowers transforms into a riot of colours as rain awakens the rare array of Himalayan flora. The highlight of the trek is the ascent to Hemkund Sahib, a sacred lake and Gurudwara set amidst a surreal landscape,' said Dr. Kundu, who is also headed there in August.
Travel enthusiast and State Government employee Maitrayee Paul is also eagerly looking forward to the Valley of Flowers when she goes there next month. 'Monsoon breathes a different kind of life into Himalayan foothills — the hills are lush, the waterfalls grow full-bodied, and unknown trails reveal scenic wonders amidst drizzles. Uttarakhand, being a traveller's paradise all through the year, offers something far more intimate during the rains — a landscape drenched in green, mountains wrapped in mist, and rivers swollen with stories. While parents and well-wishers urge caution, I look forward to a certain raw, untamed beauty in the mountains during this time. Also, it's a much-needed break, to slow down. Last year it was eastern Himalayas, but this time I thought to direct the focus on Devbhoomi,' Ms. Paul said.
Kaushiki Sengupta, a senior data analyst with HSBC India, was initially planning Kashmir as her destination for 2025 but then Pahalgam happened. Uttarakhand, to her, seemed to be the next best thing. 'Kashmir remains iconic but we wanted a place that was equally captivating and yet more dependable logistically. Uttarakhand, with its pristine landscapes and welcoming atmosphere, felt like the perfect alternative, offering the same grandeur of the Himalayas with fewer concerns,' said Ms. Sengupta who, like the others, is eagerly waiting for her trip to the Valley of Flowers and the sights and sites offered by the trek.