Bhagirathi Parvata

Author:Laxman Burdak, IFS (R)

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Bhagirathi peaks from Chirvasa, Left to right: Bhagirathi II; Bhagirathi IV; Bhagirathi III and Bhagirathi I.

Map showing the Himalayan headwaters of the Bhagirathi river. The numbers in parentheses refer to the altitude in meters.

Bhagirathi Parvatas (भागीरथी पर्वत) are a group of mountain peaks in Garhwal Himalaya in Gangotri Glacier Uttarakhand, India.

Location

It has four peaks between 6856 meter and 6193 meter. The Bhagirathi I summits is 6856 meter or 22493 feet. It was first climbed by A Japanese team in 1980. It is surrounded by Glaciers on four side on the eastern side of the Massif is Vasuki Glacier, on the western side its Gangotri Glacier the main glacier in this area, northern side is surrounded by Chaturangi Glacier and southern side guarded by Swachhhand Glacier.

Variants

• Bhagirathi Parvatas
• Bhagirathi Parbat
• Bhagirathi Parvat
• Bhagirathi Massif
• Bhagirathi Group
• Bhagirathi Peaks (भागीरथी चोटियां)

Etymology

The mountain is named after Bhagiratha, the legendary king of the Ikshvaku dynasty who brought the River Ganges, to Earth from the heavens. To commemorate his efforts, the mainstream that comes out of Gangotri Glacier snout "Gomukh" is called Bhagirathi, till it meets Alaknanda River at Devprayag where the name changes to Ganga.

History

The word "Bhagirathi" (Sanskrit, literally, "caused by Bhagiratha") refers to a mythological Sagar Dynasty prince who, to gain the release of his 60,000 great-uncles from the curse of saint Kapila, brought the goddess Ganga in the form of the river Ganges, from the heavens to the earth. Hence, Ganges considered as the daughter of Bhagiratha and Ganges also called Baghirathi.

Bhagiratha was the king of Kosala, a kingdom in ancient India. He was a descendant of the great King Sagara of the Suryavanshi, or Surya Dynasty. He was one of the forefathers of Lord Rama, of the Ramayana, the epic in which Bhagiratha's tale is primarily recounted. The story of Bhagiratha explained in Bala Kanda of Ramayana. Shiva brought Ganga river to Bindu Sarovar on request of Bhagiratha.

Gangotri National Park

The entire massif and surrounding area are protected within the 2,390 km2 (920 sq mi) Gangotri National Park, the third largest national park in India.[5] The Gangotri National Park is home to several world-class treks, including Gangotri Gomukh Tapoban, Kerdarnath Vasuki tal trek. Har ki dun valley trek.

Climbing history

Bhagirathi I was first climbed by a Japanese expedition team via its south-east ridge in 1980. They used around 2000 m rope for fixing and technical climbing. The second climb happened in 1983 by a British team led by Martin Moran and his three friends John Mothersele, Charlie Heard and Kevin Flint via the west ridge. On 21 August, Martin Moran and Charlie Heard reached the summit around 4.30 pm; the next day on 22 August, Charlie Heard died from a fall while abseiling.

Bhagirathi II was the first ascent by Austrians Edi Ellmauthaler and Toni Messner in 1933. The first Indian success on this peak came on 20 October 1966. Govinda Raj, Amar Ray, and two Sherpas, Karma and Gyalboo climbed to the summit after a ten-hour of a difficult climb. while coming back from a summit in a freak accident Amar Ray, and two Sherpas Karma and Gyalboo died while Govinda Raj got frostbite.

Bhagirathi III was the first ascent by Britishers Kolin Kirkus and Charles Warren reached the summit for the first time in 1933. The first Indian success on this peak came on 20 October 1966. Janez Jeglic and Silvo Karo climbed the overhanging west face On 7 September 1990.

Bhagirathi IV was first ascent in 2009 by three Slovenians friend Rok Blagus, Luka Lindic, and Marko Prezelj climbed and descended west face of Bhagirathi IV in a single day first reported ascent of this peak. in 1994 Matjaz Jamnik and Silvo Karo another Slovenians tried and reached up to 5500 meters in eleven attempts, but due to bad weather could not make it to the summit.

Neighboring peaks

• Satopanth, 7,075m (23,212 ft), 30°50′42″N 79°12′45″E
• Vasuki Parbat, 6,792m (22,283 ft), 30°52′30″N 79°10′30″E
• Shivling, 6,543 m (21467 ft), 30°52′49.48″N 79°03′48.49″E

भागीरथी पर्वत समूह

भागीरथी पुंजक (Bhagirathi Massif) या भागीरथी समूह (Bhagirathi Group) भारत के उत्तराखण्ड राज्य के उत्तरकाशी ज़िले में गढ़वाल हिमालय के गंगोत्री समूह में स्थित चार शिखरों वाला एक पर्वत पुंजक है, जिसके शिखर 6856 मीटर से 6193 मीटर के बीच की ऊँचाई के हैं। यह चार दिशाओं में हिमानियों (ग्लेशियर) से घिरा है। इसके पूर्व भाग में वासुकी हिमानी है, पश्चिम में क्षेत्र की मुख्य हिमानी - गंगोत्री हिमानी - है, उत्तर में चतुरंगी हिमानी और दक्षिण में स्वच्छानन्द हिमानी है। यह पूरा पुंजक और आसपास का क्षेत्र गंगोत्री राष्ट्रीय उद्यान के अंतर्गत सुरक्षित है। चार भागीरथी शिखरों की ऊँचाई इस प्रकार हैं:

• भागीरथी पर्वत-1 (6,856 मीटर = 22,493 फुट),
• भागीरथी पर्वत-2 (6,512 मीटर = 21,365 फुट),
• भागीरथी पर्वत-3 (6,454 मीटर = 21,175 फुट),
• भागीरथी पर्वत-4 (6,193 मीटर = 20,317 फुट)

References

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