HomeVisual ArtsPhoto Stories 1: Valley of Flowers by Smythe, 1937

Photo Stories 1: Valley of Flowers by Smythe, 1937

On this World Photography Day, let’s explore the Valley of Flowers through the oldest images of the ‘Valley of Flowers taken non-other than the person (Smythe) who discovered ‘The Valley of Flowers in the year 1931.

Foothills from Gwaldam
Image 1: The Foothills from Gwaldam (Tharali) in the Afternoon while Smythe was moving towards Valley of Flowers via Lalkuan, Almora, and Gwaldam in 1937. Gwaldam was a famous tourist destination during the colonial period. The locals of Gwaldam are demanding to declare Gwaldam as a tourist village under UNSCO’s program. This also falls on the famous Roopkund Trek and the route of Nanda Devi Raj Jat Yatra.
Jaskar from Kuari Pass Early Morning
Image 2: Zaskar ranges from the Kuari Pass. Zaskar range separates the upper Dhauli and Alaknanda Valleys, by the Bhyundar Pass. From Left to Right the peaks are first Kamet (25,447 ft.), second Mana Peak (23,860 ft.), and second last is Nilgiri Peak (21,400). He entered Kuari Pass through Bhyundar Valley while returning from his stay in the Valley of Flowers at the end of the Monsoon. Kuari Pass is famous for the Lord Curzon trek route which was one of the popular trek routes during colonial times. There are several trek routes through which one can trek Kuari Pass. The famous tourist destination Auli falls on this trek.
An Autumn view from the base camp
Image 3: This Photo was taken from the first base camp of Smythe during his four-month stay at Valley of Flowers in 1937. Rataban Peak, 20,231 ft. is seen from the far. The fourth Camp of Smythe would be on Rataban Peak. Rataban is at the border of India and China and thus has many mysterious stories which one can read from a book titled ‘The Rataban Betrayal: A Novel’ by Stephen Alter (2016).

इसे भी पढ़े: Photo Stories 2: 1906 में ग्वाल्दम से नीती-माणा का सफ़र, चित्रों की ज़ुबानी

Potentillas
Image 4: The pink-colored flower is locally known as Anaphalis. It is also known as Willow Herbs with the Scientific name ‘Epilobium Latifolium’. Every part of this pink flower plant has medicinal value in the traditional medical system of Tibet. It is bitter in taste but has cooling properties and is thus useful in the treatment of fevers and inflammations, plus also itching pimples. It is found across the Himalayas. It is often found at the riverside and is thus called the River flower. The Red flower is Himalayan Cinquefoil and is scientifically known as Potentilla argyrophylla. Both of them are found in Bhayundar Valley.
A high Growing saussurea
Image 5: Brahm Kamal, scientifically known as Saussurea, grows at a height of 13,000 feet. The worship at Rudranath temple and Badrinath is not possible without this flower. It is believed that Lord Brahma (creator of the universe as per Hinduism) was born out of this flower. Grow in between rocks, away from the riverside, and largely during July and August but can be found till mid-October.
the queen
Image 6: The Queen of Himalayan Flowers, the blue poppy (Meconopsis Aculeata). It is also known as Kanta, Vanita, and Gul-e-Neelam. A postal Stamp was also issued by the Indian government in the name of this flower.

इसे भी पढ़े: पहाड़ का किताब ऋंखला: 9 (Valley of Flowers by Frank S. Smythe)

Impatiens roylei
Image 7: Impatiens Roylei (Balsam) in the Khiraun Valley. It is also known as Gulmehndi in Bengal but Himalayan Balsam cannot be grown anywhere else.

Valley of Flowers is one of the World Haritage”

a meadow
Image 8: Red Potentillas (P. Argyrophylla) at Khanta Khal Pass. Large shepherd habitations are found here around Bhamini Daur.
Screenshot 2021 08 19 at 5.39.14 AM
Image 9: The Second base camp of Smythe and his teammates was settled near a gorge at an unidentified place.
Gauri parbat
Image 10: Gauri Parvat (22,008 ft.) in the evening, photo by Smythe, 1937. Gauri Parvat is also known as Ghori Parvat (Horse Mountain) as it looks like a horse in shape. Hathi Parvat (Elephant Mountain) (22,070 ft.) is next to Gauri Parvat and both are part of the Kamet range.
Sunset from
Image 11: Sunset from Dunagiri Camp (third camp of Smythe during his 1937 tour), looking into Dhauli Ganga Valley (16,000) ft. Dunagiri camp was at a height of 21,000 ft.
An Autumn view from the base camp 1
Image 12: Fourth Camp of Smythe was on Rataban peak at a height of 21,231 ft. This was the last camp of Smythe and after that, he returned.

Sources: A book titled ‘Valley of Flowers’ by Frank S. Smythe, was published in 1938.

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Sweety Tindde
Sweety Tinddehttp://huntthehaunted.com
Sweety Tindde works with Azim Premji Foundation as a 'Resource Person' in Srinagar Garhwal.
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