Practicalities
The GMVN Tourist Rest House (01382 266697) in Chilla has rooms for Rs 700 and Rs 1200 for an air-cooled room. Dorm beds are Rs1005. It may be possible to camp here.
There are Forest Rest Houses in the park. They are booked at the Chief Forest Office, Tilak Rd, Dehra Dun or by writing Rajaji National Park (0135 262-1669), 5/1 Ansari Marg, Dehra Dun.
Buses go to Chilla from the GMOU bus stand near the Rahi Motel in Haridwar in the morning. They return in the afternoon. It may be possible to get a shared taxi from Chandi Ghat, opposite Har-ki-Pairi to Chilla. It costs around Rs 350 by taxi to get to Chilla from Haridwar (Rs 450 return).
Himalayan Rivers
There are seven holy rivers in the Himalayas (called Sapta Samudrik Tirtha): the Alakananda (Vishnu Ganga), Dhauli Ganga, Nandakini, Bhagirathi, Pindar Ganga, Mandakini (Pindar), and Nayar. They are said to have all come down on Lord Siva’s head, but they fall in different places. The Yamuna River begins near Yamunotri.
There are five confluences (prayags) of the Ganges on the way to Badrinath. A confluence is when two rivers meet. This is considered to be an especially auspicious place. The main branch of the Ganges is the Bhagirathi, which originates at Gaumukh, 18km east of Gangotri. The five confluences are located on the route between Rishikesh and Badrinath and many pilgrims bathe at all five sangams (confluences) before having darshan at Badrinath. To visit all five places would be difficult without your own transport. Noida Hotels.
