Only for recharge our battery we just wander to fulfill our inquisitiveness.
We are always eager to learn about our environment. The environment is a broad
spectrum phenomenon; it also covers the ecology-geographic vis-a-vis
sociological scenario. We, the common
people are always trying to make a positive change in every environ aspect. May
be there various barriers but positive eagerness is the only weapon against the
every barriers. To being curious about a volcanic lake in our Himalayan region,
we are finding out our destination to observe the environmental scenario of a
crater lake like Deoria Tal. Besides the
Sari village, the ridges raises tall up to 7831 ft. The total geographic shape
of the region is like a large shape bowl and we have to approach from the
bottom outside of the bowl. The gradient of this mountain trek path is more or
less 45 degrees. In some places this trek trail is too narrow to walk side by
side. But the distance of Deoria Tal is only 3 kilometers from Sari village. So,
we have to gain the height in 3 kilometers! As per mythology is concern, Sree
Krishna defeat here the Banasur, who in disguise in the underground and Krishna
blast and filled it with water to arrest the Banasur. Local proverbs say, this Tal (lake) is only
for Deota (divine Gods) and they are arriving here in every full moon night.
Deoria Tal arrives from the words, “Deota-ki-Tal”. The local people believe
this proverb and they eagerly maintain the purity of water against the
contamination. Approaching the lake
would be more convenient through Ukhimath. Ukhimath is one of the mythological
place where the Aniruddha (Grand son of Pandavas) married Usha. Afterwards Usha
transferred to Ukshi, Ukshi converted to Ukhi. During the winter time, the
deities of Kedarnath and Madamashwer worshiped here. On any clear sky, the
sunset is a marvelous experience on the scenario of Kedarnath and Kedardome
peak. Due to distance from the main road of Kedarnath or Badrinath, the
pilgrims are very rare on this tiny hilly town. So, those who are enjoying the
loneliness of nature, Ukhimath are the right choice for these fellows. Daily car service is available but share jeep
is very rare on this road. So, we have to hire a total jeep from Ukhimath to
Sari Village. Sari village is a small hamlet but Sari Lodge and Deoria Lodge
are available with so homely atmosphere. The local proverb says, the every full
moon night in with a temple of Shiva. If anybody wants to stay here the only
two lodges Deoria Tal is wrapped in mystery. But there is no accommodation is
available on the Deoria Tal. The lake
region is in a picturesque green valley surrounded by snow peaks of Chaukhamba,
Neel Kanth and Kedarnath in high Himalayan hill ranges. The Kedar hills,
called the Kedar Massif, give a spectacular view of the mountain formation with
numerous glaciers which include the source of the Mandakini River. The region
has rich flora and fauna, particularly the endangered species of Himalayan Monal
pheasant and
Himalayan Musk Deer in the Kedarnath
Wild Life Sanctuary. The Deoria Tal is basically a extended part
of this sanctuary. We also observe the various birds on this Himalayan lake
region. After reaching the Sari village, our first duty was to decide whether
we can stay at night on Deoria Tal or not? Luckily, we meet Mr. Joshpal Singh
Negi, one of the frontline bird watcher of India at his kakragad resort and he
ringed the local agency to pitch the tent on the lake side. When we reached on
the lake region, our temporary shelter was ready for us. The agency has also
arranged our food, drinking water and sleeping bags. It was a bright sunny day of mid-autumn and auspicious
night of ‘Kojagori Laxmi Puja’ with full moon. Agency personnel was ultimatum
us not to touch the water with foot or not to contaminate the water with
debris. But they also said an important point, the depth of this lake in
unknown and nobody can back if the fellow trying to drive into deep. Mr. Lukpat
Singh, one of the owner of the local travel agency said, this region is belong
under the mid range of Himalayas (Himachal or Malayadri) which is just before
the ice line. After the middle of November, this lake region used to clad with hard
snow and it continuing up to next February. But the water of this lake is defeating the
cold, it remains liquid!! There must be a hot spring under the lake and as a
result, the water never turns into ice.
As a result, the lake becomes only source of water of this
region. It was said that the region is a part of ‘Kedarnath Wild Life Sanctuary’ and as a result a large number of
animals and birds are continuing their life cycle around this lake. Clouded
Leopard, Great Himalayan Bear, red fox and golden Wolf are the neighbor of this
region. Red Billed Blue Magpie(Urocissa erythrorhyncha), Monal, Kalij Phelasant(xxxxxxx),
Eurasian Jay(Garrulus glandarius), White Throated Laughing Thrush(Garulax
albogularis) Russet Sparrow (Passer rutilans), Large billed crow (Corvus
macrorhyuchos) are reside here. We also observe the Himalayan Condor was flying
on the region. The total geographical allocation of the lake region is like a
large shape bowl and the lake is situated in the mid-lowest position of this
bowl. The north boundary of this region is ornamented by the famous snow-lad
peaks like, Chowkhamba, Kedernath, Nilkantha, Kedardome etc. etc. The lake side is filling with hillock which
is usually treated as camping ground. Our tent was pitched on the hilltop. The
entire hillock was covered with grass like a ‘Boogial”. The entire region was
surrounding with coniferous green. Cedrus
deodara, Cupressus torulasa, Juneperus recurva, Abies pindrow, Tsuga dumosa, Picea
smithiana etc. are the natural flora of the region.
The day was bright with full of blue sky. The sunshine was
light yellow lash over the green meadow. The conifer forest created the
boundary of the meadow. The end of the forest and beginning of snow clad
mountains were from the same arena. The personnel of the local agency served
the lunch with rice and egg curry. Obviously, the tea had been served
frequently. The total region turns lonely when the tourists were turning back
to sari village after evening. Normally, few of tourists are eager to stay
there at night. The twilight saga of the tal was start with spectacular sun
set. The wind was whispering through the coniferous forest like an unrest soul.
The rest of the light became faintly luminous throughout the horizon. The
entire area turns into deep silence after the wind’s slack movement. The wind
was chilling because the cold was more sure footed on the valley. So, kitchen
tent was the only destination for taking warmth of the log fire. They served us
coffee. We were sipping and became closer in front of fire. Entire region tuned
into pale dark due to late raiser moon. The logs were burning as sparklers.
Rakesh Negi was our attendant cum cook cum story teller at that night. Deoria
Tal , “Deota ki Tal” turned into alive
on that night through Rakesh’s gossip. We were returning into our tent after the
coffee break. The distance between kitchen tent and our tent was only few
yards. The liquid moonbeam flowed over the valley. The fog was opening their
curtain from snow cladding Chaukhamba.
The spectacular
reflection of the snow clad peaks was shown on the Deoria Tal on that full moon
night. We were spell bound for a long. A nocturnal bird was crying with a harsh
cry. The cold was continuing in GP series. So, we had to take shelter in the
four headed alpine tent. The inside was too comfortable to camping here. Rakesh serve the
dinner at just 8 pm with Alu-Parotha.
After the dinner we were loitering on the moon-lit valley.
All the snow clad mountains were reflecting in the deoria tal. The total pin
drop silence was cracked by a nightjar. We were filled in our heart by that
moon lit night. The moon turned brighter at midnight. Some times we were
agonized about the begin to burn of the moon !! But the chilled night didn’t
allow to loiter so more. We had to took shelter under the tent. After all the
sleeping bags helped us that night to fight against the extreme cold.
* * *
The actual magic was start after the dawn break when the
first ray of the day strikes on the snow peaks.
The tal was ready to reflect the image on it’s mirror like water. The
golden moment arrived with our high expectation. The total area turned into an
imaginary paradise within a second and stayed still for few minutes. We are
astonished till then showing the unveil beauty of Deoria tal.
How to reach: Deoria Tal is 3 km far from Sari village. Sari
village is connecting with car service from Ukhimath. Ukhimath is easily
approachable by daily bus or car service from Haridwar or Hrishikesh. Sari
village to Deoria Tal is a tiny trek route with full of adventure.
Where to stay: There are stay option available only in
tent. The agency who will supply the
tent, also feed your drinking water and foodstuff.
Best time to visit : April to June and from mid-September to
November.
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