Today and historically alike, mountain peaks have long evoked feelings of spiritual connection for us. Many consider mountains sacred spaces where gods reside. Other cultures believe daily meditation in these areas can facilitate spiritual awakening and liberation. Garhwal Himalayas in particular contain numerous mythological stories featuring several peaks named for sacred gods.
Let us first examine the myth of Kedarkantha before exploring its breathtaking views. Lord Shiva often meditated at Kedarkantha before being disturbed by noise from nearby villages such as Kedarnath. A small temple on top of Kedarkantha stands as evidence to this story and provides stunning panoramic views over a variety of mountain peaks such as Nanda Ghunti, Yamunotri/Gangotri ranges, Draupadi Ka Danda as well as Draupadi Ka Danda to name just a few; three distinct presences easily noticeable at its summit.
Garhwal Himalayas crown the magnificent crown jewel Swargarohini I II III IV and their striking beauty can be seen along Kedarkantha trekking trail and nearby village Sankri. Boasting four distinct peaks- Swargarohini I, II, III & IV- it stands out as an incredible and impressive mountain to witness in Uttarakhand.
Swargarohini: His Ancient Legend
Swargarohini takes its name from an ancient legend regarding its mountains as gateways towards heaven used by Pandavas. The term is composed of "Swarg" for heaven and "rohini", signifying direct pathways or routes toward that direction. When climbing Swargarohini towards heaven, four of the five brothers perished tragically while climbing up; only Yudhishthira managed to reach its summit and is thought to have achieved immortality while remaining mortal.
Kalanag Mountain lies within the Ponch range. This striking peak stands out due to its distinctive form, featuring cobra's hood or serpent-like features resembling those found in ancient Egyptian monuments - hence earning itself the moniker "Black Peak".
Bandarpoonch was named for Hanuman, a character in Hindu mythology who is revered as the God of Monkeys. Bandarpoonch refers to a Monkey's tail. Additionally, an interesting aspect of Bandarpoonch is its strong climbing traditions.
Apart from its attractions and views, the summit affords stunning panorama views that include Gangotri and Yamunotri mountain ranges as well as Rupin Valley and Har Ki Dun valley.
From high elevation, the views from above are simply breath-taking. It is difficult to describe in words all of nature's magnificent creations which surround you.
