Download Mahadev Picture
Leoma Cianchetti
Garadia Mahadev is named after the Lord Shiva temple called Garadia Mahadev Temple on the banks of Chambal river. The beauty of this place is that Chambal river takes a U-turn providing a panoramic view of the gorge (also called horse shoe-bend)
On a clear sunny day, we were driving on NH-52 to Garadia Mahadev from Jaipur covering a distance of 260 Km, one way. The 6 lane highway is absolutely fantastic, with very less vehicular traffic as compared to other national highways like NH8. The toll on NH-52 is one of the highest, though.
Kota bypass section of the highway has miles and miles of barren land on either side. Kota sandstone is a very popular variety of stone mined in this region, most popular being the Bijolia
Thank You Monika for checking out this post. Framers are always fighting a battle. With crop failure they lose, even with a bumper crop the prices nose dive with more framers in the market! sad situation! ?
Wonderful post. I was also thinking that advertisement is highly processed to give that saturated look. I am happy to see the actual site. I would love to visit such a place definitely. Thanks for sharing.
Certainly its a great spot to sit and enjoy the views. If you love wildlife then this is a great place for you. Crocodiles are home to Chambal as are other birds and animals.
Happy to hear that you liked this post and pictures.
On the contrary, Sudhir..I feel that we should let some places be as they are. Crowd and tourist will spoil its serenity. This is exactly what is happening in Himalayas where youth is heading in big numbers. They get lured by social media images but have no manners and concern for environment and other travelers. Kasol, Malana, Tosh all are good examples of how beautiful places can be ruined in matter of months!
In July 2022, the team explored the relatively uncharted terrain leading up to Neelkanth Mahadev Lake. Heavy rains made the trek difficult to navigate, and the team was unable to complete the trek. A second exploration team went again in September 2022 and successfully completed the trek.
The trek starts from a picturesque village named Nainghar. At 11004 feet, Nainghar is already at a high altitude and an excellent preview of the thrilling walk and sights ahead. The first five minutes are a leisurely walk inside the sleepy village. Soon, the trail opens up into the vast Tappan valley, with its grand mountains and the first complete view of Thirot Nala. The walk continues into the valley, providing breath-taking mountain views every 100 metres until you reach the first campsite.
Along with this, the contrasting landscapes of Kullu and Lahaul are something to watch out for. The drive towards the trek's base village is a treat for the senses. Witness a stark contrast in scenery - from the lush greenery of Kullu Valley to the arid brown beauty of Lahaul Valley. This is where you transition from the Lesser Himalayan Range to the majestic Greater Himalayas.
If you enjoy the thrill of a water crossing on a trek, the trek will not disappoint. The Neelkanth Mahadev Lake trek is famous for five stream crossings, with the Gadbad Nala being the most notorious. The water is icy cold since the streams originate from glaciers. Agility and good core strength are imperative to cross. Channel your inner mountain goat, nimble and quick on your feet, to hop onto boulders and cross successfully.
Flowers on a trail are always a welcome sight for weary muscles and spirits. On this trek, they make the experience twice as special. The vibrant flowers offer a dramatic contrast to the legendary barren mountains of the Lahaul region. Over 17 kinds of flowers and their numerous subspecies grow abundantly along the waterways and on stretches of grasslands. Keep an eye out for pops of colour along the trail, often peeking out when you least expect it.
A bus departs daily at 11:40 am from the Manali HRTC bus stand to Nainghar village. The bus fare from Manali to Nainghar is INR 250 for men. Women can avail of discounts on bus rates at INR 118. You will also find buses that go to the town of Keylong in Lahaul, from where there are connecting buses to Nainghar.
Trek distance: 8.6 km Duration: 7-8 hours
Altitude gain: 13,255 ft to 14,639 ft
Trek Type: Day 3 has challenging ascents through boulders during the first hour. Later on in the trail, you have two tricky stream crossings to navigate. The trail gradually ascends until the base of the mountain lake. The final stretch to reach the lake involves a steep climb.
Trek distance: 8.6 km Duration: 5-6 hours
Altitude loss: 13,225 ft to 11,004 ft
Trek Type: On Day 4, the path gradually winds downhill until the end of the second valley opening. You will encounter three stream crossings on the way to Nainghar. Take the marked trail going uphill through the grasslands for a scenic return journey.
Our aim is to ensure that trekkers are well-prepared before embarking on a Himalayan trek. Knowledge is crucial to plan a safe, successful, and enjoyable trek. This section contains information about what to expect each day and how to prepare for the Neelkanth Mahadev Lake trek. We strongly recommend reading this section before setting out on your journey.
We recommend arriving a day early in Manali. Take a direct bus from the Manali HRTC bus stand to Nainghar the following day. Alternatively, you can take a bus to Keylong and switch to a connecting bus to reach Nainghar.
You travel along the Chandra River, past farms growing various vegetables, including broccoli, green peas, cabbage, lettuce, and cauliflower. On the drive to Lahaul, you will see striking rock formations as if meticulously carved into their shapes.
After 6 hours of driving, you arrive at a diversion that leads to Nainghar. Before arriving at this diversion, the bus will stop for a tea break in the village before Nainghar. Remember to stock up on any last-minute essentials here. Phone networks will not work beyond this point, except BSNL which works in Nainghar.
Trek gradient: Easy to Moderate. The trail combines gradual and steep ascents through boulders and grasslands. Today you will navigate three stream crossings and multiple smaller stream crossings.
After a series of gradual ascents and descents, the trail leaves the farmlands behind and heads towards the Thirot stream. Although there is an alternative route from the hilltop, it is better suited for the return journey.
The mountain views today are breath-taking, with most peaks standing tall at 18000 ft and above. While crossing the streams, keep an eye out for the Himalayan Blue Sheep, also known as the Bharal. With a bit of luck, you might just spot them grazing on the other side of the stream.
The path through the boulders is clear, ensuring you stay on the trail and don't miss a thing. As you approach the 4km mark, you will find yourself surrounded by a lush hill grassland and a small freshwater stream - the perfect spot to rest and take in the stunning valley views.
Don't forget to stop and smell the flowers. The trail is full of them, adding even more beauty to an already lovely day. Take your time, enjoy the journey, and soak up all the natural wonders that this day has to offer.
Beyond the 4.5km mark, the trail gradually opens into grasslands with vibrant blankets of Himalayan Bistorts - also known as Fleece flowers. As you continue along the trail, a boulder-filled terrain greets you for the next 4km. From this point, you catch glimpses of what is in store the next day - hanging glaciers and the valley's end. Do remember to stay on the clearly-marked trail as it can be easy to get lost in this rugged terrain.
Look out for the Aaliyas Campsite from this point. Your landmark is a small red mountain that looks like it is wearing a blanket of bistorts. While there are plenty of camping sites to choose from, the one designated in the GPX file is the safest option.
Before setting up camp, remember that the water from the stream contains silt. Ensure that you strain the water before drinking. Once that is taken care of, it is time to set up camp, have an early dinner, and get some much-needed rest. Today has been a long day and tomorrow promises to be just as challenging.
If you are feeling adventurous and have some time to spare, why not scout the trail for tomorrow? This will give you a head start and make it easier to navigate the trail in the morning. It is always best to be prepared the night before, considering the challenging trek to the lake that awaits the next day.
Start as early as possible and brace yourself for the initial climb through boulders on a well-laid path. Keep a lookout for a wide path and stay on track. The scenery becomes more picturesque as you move to the snout of Thirot Nala.
The rewards are well worth the effort of completing the first climb. You will find yourself on a gradual trail with stunning views of the towering Neelkanth Peak (which resembles a shark fin), Gangstang Peak, and the majestic Neelkanth Glacier. The trail becomes increasingly more pleasant, taking you through boulders, sand, and the delta region.
After the first climb, keep walking straight on a gradual ascent alongside the mountains on your left. The trail continues for approximately 3 km from Aaliyas. After this point, look for a diversion that leads you towards the lake. If you keep walking straight, you will instead end up at a small pond called Chota Jheel.
Keep moving towards the hill you see in front of you. You will also reach Thirot Nala, which marks the first river crossing of the day. Take your time to find a safe spot to cross. The rapids are powerful and the water flow is strong. Exercise caution and stay alert as you navigate the waters.
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