Kumaon Himalaya, temptations

161 Pages·1993·8.415 MB·English

by  Śekhara Pāṭhaka, Anup Sah

93-904803
Pafhaka, Sekhara, 1951- I-E-71848
Kumaon Himalaya, temptations / text, Shekhar
Pathak ; photographs, Anup Sah. — 1st ed. —
Nainital : Published for Kumaon Mandal Vikas
Nigam Ltd. by Gyanodaya Prakashan, 1993.
130 p. : col. ill., maps ; 25 cm.
64-09
Includes bibliographical references (p. 12A-
129). 1
ISBN 8185097267 : Rs580.00
8/2/93
Pathaka, Sekhara, 1951- V3-9C
I-E-7
Kumaon Himalaya, temptations / text, Sht
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Text
Shekhar Pathak
Photographs
Anup Sah
Published For
KUMAON MANDAL VIKAS NIGAM LTD.
By
Gyanodaya Prakashan, Nainital
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A
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Copyright@ 1993, Dr. Shekhar Pathak and Sri Anup Sah
Reproduction in any manner, in whole or in part,
in English or in other languages, is prohibited.
All rights reserved.
Published for
Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam Ltd.
by
Gyanodaya Prakashan, Nainital
1st Edition 1993 published in India.
Printed by Consul Printers. Nainital at Mehta Offset Works, New Delhi
And Designed By D - Top Graphics, New Delhi
ISBN 81 -85097-26-7
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FOREWORD
From the dawn of the history of India, Himalaya has attracted its peoples. This irresistible
fascination for the Himalaya arises out of a variety of reasons. They were seen as the
abode of the Gods. Appropriately the most sacred rivers including the supremely sacred
Ganga emerged from these beautiful mountains. The highest realisation was considered to be
within the grasp of the mystics who meditated in this ‘Deva-Bhoomi’, and the Vedas themselves
were thought to have been revealed in the lap of the Himalaya.
Interestingly, we while benefiting from extensive cross fertilisation of thought through pilgrims,
mystics and seekers of knowledge, the Himalayan Kingdoms could remain, by and large, de
facto independent political entities. A high level of distinctive culture flourished in these states,
and as relatively calm oases in the turbulent rise and fall of the major Indian dynasties, kingdoms
and empires, groups of people from far and wide constantly sought and found refuge here. This
further enriched the cultural fabric of these regions.
The Kumaon Himalaya is one such jewel of the glittering Himalayan necklace. A rich culture
flourished and attained a very high level as seen in the wonderful sculptural evidences found
here. People from all over the northern states and from as far as Karnataka, Maharastra, Gujrat
and Bengal settled centuries ago in Kumaon. The well made, ornately carved, substantial stone
houses of even the remotest villages testify to the relative prosperity of the Kumaoni peasantry.
Trade with Tibet and cultural exchanges with streams of pilgrims on the Kailas Mansarovar and
Badrinath Yatras enriched life in Kumaon.
This volume briefly outlines the physical, historical and cultural contours of the Kumaon
Himalaya. For the modem tourist and pilgrim, the background knowledge along with detailed
information on Yatra and trekking routes, places and events of interest, maps, suggestions, all
illustrated by superb photographs, makes it a readable, useful and valuable publication.
It is entirely appropriate that this book has been commissioned by the Kumaon Mandal Vikas
Nigam Ltd. who are working in the field of tourism, conducting the modem Kailas yatra and are
pioneering other forms of regional development.
To conclude on a personal note, my long association with Kumaon combined with my present
official assignment, makes me very happy to write this foreword.
B. K. Goswami
Advisor to Governor of
Uttar Pradesh
Ex. Secretary Tourism
Govt, of India.
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