Gartang Gali: A Majestic Wood-Lined Stairway near the Indo-China Border
According to the Puranas, Sage Markandeya was cursed with a short span of life and hence was meditating on Lord Vishwanath at the very spot the Markandeya temple stands today within the temple complex. When Lord Yamaraja came to take him away, Sage Markandeya went and embraced Lord Vishwanath tightly and in this affection for Lord Vishwanath, Sage Markandeya was protected with along life and Yamaraja was sent away. Since Sage Markandeya was destined to live only till 16 years of age, Lord Shiva blessed him to be eternally young like a sixteen year old boy. Yamaraja threw his gauntlet at Sage Markandeya to capture and take him away but Sage Markandeya’s tight embrace of the Shiva Linga of Lord Vishwanath along with the force of the gauntlet pull by Yamaraja tilted the Shiva Linga towards the southern direction.
Geographically, Uttarkashi as a hilly terrain is not quite congenial for human habitation. Yet the religious fervour and attraction of nature have been so strong among Indians that Uttarkashi is today a thickly populated destination for the pilgrims. The importance has further been increased because of the two rivers confluencing here in the Bhagirathi, on which bank has developed this town. The confluence of three rivers thus - Bhagirathi (Ganga), Varuna and Kalgad (Asi) - has given the site the divinity statis like Varanasi (confluence of Bhagirathi, Varuna and Asi river).
Mythology has made devotees wallow up with religious feelings. The legends have it, that Bhagwan Maheshwara was said to have gone worried about the status of Varanasi during the Kali Yuga. It was understood that during that time the sacred city of Bhagwan Vishwanath might defiled, and therefore Uttarkashi having the similar geographical standard would replace Varanasi. A massive Trident has ben erected near the deities such as temple of Bhagwan Vishwanath following the references from scripture, the Skanda Puran. There are other mythological Ekadash Rudra, Bhairav and Gyaneshwar. Goddess Kuteti Devi has also given a seat on top of the hill at about one and half kilometre distance from the Bhagwan Vishwanath temple.
GEOGRAPHICAL SPECIALITIES
● The town lies in the upper Himalayas, hence environments are fluctuating. Sometimes its peaks have snow, but that is invisible in lower regions.
● Breath-taking changes in climate in the town are experienced along with the climate in the glacier regions. So also changes the scenic beauty of the landscape.
● Ridges are wending up in natural links.
● The soil is alluvial and fertile.
● There is a large amount of "outcrops of boulders and gravels", says the government sources. This has resulted in forest growth in upper hills, terraced population and sparse habitation in the plains.
● Climatic changes have resulted in three developments, growth of vegetation, growth of wildlife and creation of new soil. The stake of the forest department, therefore, has become high, demanding efficient management.
● Despoite new and fertile soil, agriculture suffer from erosion as rivers along with rains flow down most of the new soil, before they settle.
● This has turned population to some handcraft industries and animal husbandry as an important alternative, particularly that of sheep raising, for wools.
● Dominant among the cottage industries is production of wool and woolen garments. These are natively manufactured without any hit to the environment of the region.
● Sheep are raised at heights of 1525 to 2440 metre from the sea level.
● People of Uttarkashi live in homes made of mud, stone and wood. Most homes have parts, upper where humans live, and lower5 where the domesticated animals are sheltered. This has given them the touch od ancient 'Bharatvarsha', where copmmoners lived simply in thatched mud houses and used to think very high.
HOW TO REACH THERE
By Air
● Nearest Airstrip is Jolly Grant, Dehradun (162 kms)
By Rail
● Nearest railway station is at Rishikesh (145 kms)
● By Road
Straight to Uttarkashi by motorable vehicles. Well connected to Dehradun, Haridwar and Rishikesh.
WHAT PILGRIMS MUST KNOW
● Uttarkashi is not in much height and easily accessible. So the area has all types of infrastructure as are available in plains.
● Maximum, Temperature may rise even above 35°Celsius, and the Minimum temperature had gone near 0° recently.
● The mythological area was entirely different from what it is now, as a district of Tehri Garhwal zone of Uttarakhand (created in 1960).
● It was envisioned by the divine ordain as a Varanasi in the hills, as it has the confluence of Ganga (Bhagirathiand Kaligad which is also known as, Asi. Thus it replicates what Varanasi has, Ganga, Varuna and Asi rivers.
● Altitude: 1158 mtrs. Above the sea level.
Climate: Cold in winters, placid in summers.
Season: Round the year
Clothes: Heavy woollen clothes.
Luggage: It is always advisable to avoid heavy luggage. With almost all infrastructure available to people, pilgrims would get quality places to spend nights and also beds etc.
Just 12 kilometres before the Shrine of Gangotri and Near Lanka Bridge stands the entrance of Gartang Gali. Gartang Gali, a 136-meter-long wood-lined stairway, is a breathtaking creation believed to have been constructed for Indo-China Trade.
Historically - Dating back 150 years, Gartang Gali holds a significant place in the region's history. It is believed that the Peshawari Pathans, renowned for their expertise in construction, took up the challenge of sculpting the granite to create this extraordinary stairway. Their labor of love has withstood the test of time, attracting visitors who are eager to witness this historic marvel firsthand.
