Roopkund
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Roopkund is a place in Uttaranchal India, the location of about three to six hundred skeletons at the edge of a lake—Skeleton Lake in the Himalayas. The location is uninhabited and is located at an altitude of about 5,029 metres. The skeletons were discovered in the 1942 when stumbled upon by a park ranger. At that time it was believed that the people died from an epidemic, landslides or a blizzard. The carbon dating from samples collected at that time in the 1960s vaguely indicated that the people were from the 12th century to the 15th century.
In 2004 a team of Indian and European scientists set off to the location to gain more information on the skeletons. Braving bitter cold weather and thin air, the team uncovered vital clues including jewellery, skulls, bones and a preserved body.
DNA tests on the bodies revealed that there were two groups of people, a short group (probably local porters) and a taller group who were closely related. Though the numbers were not ascertained, it is believed that three to six hundred people perished. Radio carbon dating of the bones also accurately pinpointed the time period to be in the 9th century predating the earlier inaccurate tests.
After studying fractures in the skulls, the scientists in Hyderabad and London determined that the people died not of disease but of a sudden hailstorm. The hail sizes were as large as cricket balls and with no shelter in the open Himalayas all of them perished. Furthermore with the rarefied air and icy conditions, many bodies were well preserved. With landslides in the area, some of the bodies made their way into the lake. What is not determined was where the group was headed to. There is no historical evidence of any trade routes to Tibet in the area or any places of pilgrimage. National Geographic Channel is the first to learn about the latest findings on the Roopkund Lake tragedy in a documentary titled Skeleton Lake. The documentary reveals the secret behind the lake’s mass grave in Uttaranchal, based on the latest anthropological and medical evidences that has been unearthed. The film claims to have finally solved a riddle that had haunted many experts for over 60 years. The Roopkund riddle started in 1942, when a forest ranger accidentally unearthed a mass grave in Roopkund Lake.
[edit] Tourism
Roopkund is a picturesque and beautiful tourist destination, located near the base of two Himalayan peaks: Trisul (7120 meters) and Nandghungti (6310 meters). This place is famous and well-known among the masses because of the annual Raj Jat yatra. There are no roads to this place yet, so one has to undertake a 3-4 day trek to reach the skeleton lake. The skeleton lake is covered with ice for most of the time during the year. However, the journey to Roopkund is an enjoyable experience. All along the way one is surrounded by mountain ranges from all the sides.
There are different routes for a trek to Roopkund. Generally, trekkers and adventurers travel till Lohajung or Wan by road. From there they climb a hillock at Wan and reach Ran ki Dhar. There is some flat area where trekkers can camp for the night. If the sky is clear one can see Bedni Bugyal and Trisul. The next camping spot is at Bedni Bugyal which is 12-13 kms from Wan. There is a huge grazing ground for mules, horses and sheeps. There are two temples and a small lake that add to the beauty of this place. One can see a lot of Himalayan peaks from Bedni Bugyal. Trekkers then go upto Bhaguwabasa which is 10-11 kms from Bedni Bugyal. The climate at Bhaguwabasa is hostile for most of the time of the year. One gets a closer view of Trisul and other 5000+ meters peaks. Many waterfalls and landslides are visible on the extreme slopes of the surrounding mountains. From Bhaguwabasa trekkers either go to Roopkund and come back or they go to Shila Samundra (Ocean of Mountains) and then proceed with trek upto Homkund.
At Roopkund, one can find a frozen lake during September. Most people get sun burns. One can see the clouds below and a clear sky above. One has to walk through a snow covered, slippery ridge to reach Zohra Gully. An unobstructed view of Trisul and Nand Ghungti awaits you there.
IBN 7 - the first news channel & Nitish - the first Correspondent to reach Roopkund
The Roopkund riddle, dating back to the 9th century AD, might have perplexed scientists, historians and mountaineers from around the world for many years but not the young and determined members of the IBN7 team comprising of correspondent Nitish Kumar, Cameraman Nasim and Gopal Dutt Sharma.
With their undaunted spirits to unravel the mystery behind mysterious skeleton lake, the team trekked to the remote region of Roopkund - the mysterious lake located at the height of 5,029 ms from the sea level.
http://www.indiantelevision.com/release/y2k6/nov/novrel59.htm
[edit] External links
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