Roopkund (locally known as
Mystery Lake)
is a high altitude glacial lake in Uttarakhand state of India, lies in the lap of Trishul massif and famous due to hundreds of human skeletons found at the edge of the lake. The location is uninhabited and is located in Himalaya at an altitude of about 5,029 metres (16,499 feet).
The lake is surrounded by rock-strewn glaciers and snow clad mountains, making it a good trekking destination.
A shallow lake, having a depth of about 2 metres, Roopkund has
attracted attention by having human skeletal remains easily visible at
its bottom when snow melts.
There are many theories and opinions, from purely spiritual to purely
scientific ones, which explain the existence of these skeletons, which
date back to 9th century CE. Because of these skeletons, the lake is
also sometimes called as
Skeleton lake in recent times.
Human Skeletons
The human skeletons were rediscovered in 1942 by a Nanda Devi game reserve ranger H K Madhwal, although there are reports about these bones from late 19th century.
The skeletons are visible in the clear water of the shallow lake during one month period, when ice melts.
Along with skeletons, objects like wooden artifacts, iron spearheads, leather slippers,
rings etc. were also found. When a team from National Geographic
magazine retrieved about 30 skeletons, flesh was still attached to some
of the skeletons.
One study identified the skeletons as those of Indians, and not of Chinese.
Later studies placed the time of mass death is around 9th century AD (1200 years old).
The local legend says that king of Kanauj, Raja Jasdhaval, with his
pregnant wife Rani Balampa, servants, dance troupe and others went on a
pilgrimage to Nanda Devi shrine and the group faced a hail storm with
large hailstones, from which the entire party perished near Roopkund
lake.
Though the numbers were not ascertained, remnants belonging to more than 300 people have been found. Radiocarbon dating of the bones at Oxford University's Radiocarbon Accelerator Unit determined the time period to be AD 850 ±30 years.
The Anthropological Survey of India conducted a study of the skeletons
during the 1950s and some samples are displayed at the Anthropological
Survey of India Museum, Dehradun.
Identification
Scientific tests revealed that the skeletons belonged to several
groups of people, including a group of short people (probably local
porters) and a taller group who were closely related - with DNA
mutations characteristic for Konkanastha Brahmins (Chitpavans) from Maharashtra.
A DNA test conducted by the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology
(CCMB), Hyderabad, indicated that three samples with unique mutation in
mitochondrial DNA, matched with those of the Chitpavans.
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, but Roopkund is located on an important pilgrimage route of the Nanda Devi cult with Nanda Devi Raj Jat festivities taking place approximately once every twelve years.
Conservation concerns
There is a growing concern about the regular loss of skeletons and it
is feared that, if steps are not taken to conserve them, the skeletons
may gradually vanish in the years to come.
It is reported that tourists visiting the area are in the habit of
taking back the skeletons in large numbers and the district
administration has expressed the need to protect the area.
District Magistrate of Chamoli District has reported that tourists,
trekkers and curious researchers are transporting the skeletons on mules and recommended that the area should be protected in the lines of Valley of flowers.
The Government agencies have made efforts to develop the area as an
eco-tourism destination, in an effort to protect the skeletons.
Tourism
Trekking path to Roopkund, passing near Bedni Bugyal
Roopkund is a picturesque and beautiful tourist destination and one of the important places for trekking in Garhwal District, Himalayas, located near the base of two Himalayan peaks: Trisul (7120 m) and Nanda Ghunti (6310 m).
A religious festival is held at the alpine meadow of Bedni Bugyal
every autumn with nearby villages participating. A larger celebration,
the Nanda Devi Raj Jat, takes place once every twelve years at Roopkund,
during which Goddess Nanda is worshipped.
Roopkund 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 on all sides.
Trekking
There are different routes for a trek to Roopkund. Generally,
trekkers and adventurers travel to 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 km from Wan. There is a huge grazing ground for mules,
horses and sheep. There are two temples and a small lake that add to the
beauty of this place. One can see many Himalayan peaks from Bedni
Bugyal bridge. Trekkers then go up to Bhaguwabasa, which is 10–11 km
from Bedni Bugyal. The climate at Bhaguwabasa is hostile for most of the
year. One gets a closer view of Trisul and other peaks higher than 5000
metres. 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
Stones) via Junargalli Col Pass, which is just above the lake, and then
proceed with the trek up to Homkund.
Other trekking routes
- Another trekking route starts from Mundoli, near Tharali, which is accessible from Hardwar and Rishikesh.
- Kathgodam - Ranikhet - Garur-
Gwaldam - Debal (1220 m) - Bagrigad (1890 m) - Mundoli village -
Lohajung pass - Wan village (2590 m) - Bedni Bugyal (3660 m) - Baghubasa
- Kalu Vinayak - Roopkund.
It is a popular trekking route today though still rarely visited.
This trans-Himalayan trek is the shortest route between the Kullu and
Spiti Valleys. Once over the Pin-Parvati pass (5400m), there is a
complete change in landscape – the mountain slopes immediately turn
barren and rugged. The prevalent culture of the inhabitants also changes
from Hinduism on the Kullu side to Buddhism in Spiti.
