The Valley of Flowers is located above Ghangharia, in the Zanskar range
of the Garhwal Himalayas. The highest point in the national park is
6,719 metre high Gauri Parbat. In the year 1931, Frank Smythe an English
mountaineer discovered the Valley of Flowers, on his way back from an
expedition to Mount Kamet. Designated a National Park in 1982, the
Valley of Flowers not only attracts the nature lovers, but also the trek
enthusiasts. Surrounded by snow-capped mountain ridges and peaks, the
picturesque park is home to around 500 wild flower species and variety
of wild animals. Most important flower species found in the park are
Brahmakamal, The Cobra Lily, The Himalayan Edelweiss and The Ethereal
Himalayan Blue Poppy.
Prime Attractions of the Park
Fauna of the Park
The park is home to animals like Himalayan Tahr, Snow Leopard, Musk
Deer, Red Fox, Common Langur, Blue Sheep, Bharal, Serow, Himalayan Musk
Deer, Yellow-throated Marten, Brown Bear and Himalayan Black Bear. A
trek through the Valley provide the charming view of colourful
butterflies, which flutter over the flowers.
Flora
of the Park
The vegetation of the park consist of Alpine forest of birch and
rhododendron and a variety of flowers. Flower species in the park mainly
include the orchids, poppies, primulas, potentilla, calendulas,
larkspurs, lilies, daisies, anemones, fritillarias, gentians and
geraniums.
Other Attractions
Hemkund Sahib
Located at the foot of the Hemkunt Lake, this is a Sikh shrine. Hemkund
Sahib marks the place where Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth and last Guru,
unified with God, after prolonged meditation in his previous birth.
Badrinath
Badrinath is one of the most sacred Hindu shrines in India.
Mana
Village
Situated just 3 kms from Badrinath, this is the last village of India
on the Indo - Tibetan border.