Dharchula

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?Dharchula Uttarakhand • India
Dharchula
Coordinates: 29°51′N 80°32′E / 29.85, 80.53
Time zone	IST (UTC+5:30)
District(s)	Pithoragarh
Population	6,424 (2001)

Coordinates: 29°51′N 80°32′E / 29.85, 80.53 Dharchula is a town and a nagar panchayat in Pithoragarh district in the state of Uttarakhand, India. Dharchula is a remote town surrounded by mountains. An ancient trading town for the trans-Himalayan trade routes, it is covered by high mountains and is situated on the banks of the river Kali. Dharchula is about 90 km far away from Pithoragarh and it lies on the route to the Kailash-Mansarovar pilgrimage tour. The town is called dharchula perhaps for the reason that this is a small valley which resembles like a stove ( chula in hindi ) with various peaks ( dhar ) which complete the word dharchula. The town is virtually split between India and Nepal near the border with Tibet. The Indian side of the town is known as Dharchula whereas its Nepalese counterpart is known as Darchula.

Contents 1 Demographics 2 Location and accessibility 3 Climate 4 Lifeline of the people 5 Language & Culture 6 Flora and fauna 7 Important places, landmarks and events 8 References

[edit] Demographics

As of 2001 India census,^[1] Dharchula had a population of 6424. Males constitute 54% of the population and females 46%. Dharchula has an average literacy rate of 75%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 80% and, female literacy is 69%. In Dharchula, 12% of the population is under 6 years of age.

[edit] Location and accessibility

The town is situated in a beautiful valley and is 90 km far from its district headquarter, Pithoragarh. The way from Pithoragarh to Dharchula is alongside the river Kali and is a 3 to 3.5 hour journey. The chief modes of transportation available are private jeeps and state government buses. However, reaching Pithoragarh itself from the plains is a tiring journey. One can reach Pithoragarh from either Haldwani or from Tanakpur (both towns situated on the foothills of Himalayas in the Uttarakhand district).

Haldwani is a city near Bareilly (in UP). From Haldwani, one can take either private jeeps or state government buses. The journey till Pithoragarh is of around 8 hours. Generally the private jeeps and buses run from Haldwani only till around 11 a.m. as it's quite dangerous to drive at night in the hilly tracks. The road is quite good and there are quite a many good Dhabas (small restaurants) midway. However, the landslides in the rainy season (July-Sept) make the travel a bit dangerous and inconvenient.

Tanakpur can be reached from Lucknow or Bareilly by an overnight train journey, the modes of transportation from Tanakpur to Pithoragarh being same as from Haldwani to Pithoragarh. However, the distance from Tanakpur to Pithoragarh is relatively shorter and takes approximately 6 hours. So, if you want to travel less by road, probably this is the right alternative for you. However, the roads towards this side of the hill have more curvy and are steep! The meals at the mid-way Dhabas are quite healthy and delicious . The journey to the town also provides the travelers the magnificent sightseeing opportunity of the grand Himalayan peaks.

[edit] Climate

Summers are warm and shiny, where as, the winters are cold. The higher altitude regions of Dharchula (basically upper valleys) receives snow during the winter season (December to February end). The area also receives heavy rainfall during the rainy season (July September) which disrupts the normal course of life of the people and often causes land slides in the mountain areas.

Bold text==People== The town is dominated by the Rung and Sauka people, the two words often being used as synonyms. They have sharp features and are of short height. The people are quite hospitable and simple in their living. These people have been living in the surrounding mountains of Dharchula valley since ages. In early times, people used to live in surrounding hills during the summer season and hibernate to the green valley of Dharchula in winters to beat the extremely cold weather at the high altitudes. Gradually the people started getting used to live in the relatively warmer climate of the valley and that's how the place became a permanent ground for the people once hibernating there. Tents and wooden houses soon changed into houses of brick and mortar. What started as a small stop over place in the early 1900s had developed to a full grown town by 1990s.
The town not only provides a permanent shelter to the regional people, but also a resting place to traders and pilgrims who cross the town in order to reach their destinations far ahead. This growing crowd was a start of the trend which lay the foundation of Dharchula's commercialization. With passing time, people from different parts of the plains and foothill areas started settling in Dharchula to tap the commercial opportunities of the area. Although the majority of the population in Dharchula still consists of Rung people, there are lot other sects of people too, like Punjabis, Baniyas, etc.

[edit] Lifeline of the people

In earlier times, the entire population was dependent on trade with the Tibetans. Goods from India like hand made carpets (better known as 'Dan' locally) and spices were traded in exchange for clothes, eatables, etc. Soon after the Indo-Sino war of 1962, all trade relations with the neighbouring country were snapped. This war broke the lifeline of the place - trade, the only means of earning for the Dharchula residents. The hard hitting time forced the people to look for alternate means of earnings. Soon the local population engaged themselves in farming (terrace farming), small businesses and cattle farming. Catering to the tourism requirements is still an unexploited opportunity the youth population is looking forward to fulfil. However, it's only after the government's intervention and help that good tourism facilities can develop in the town and surrounding areas, thus creating an employment opportunity for many. Today, after the increased awareness about the job opportunities available beyond dharchula and the surrounding hilly towns, the local people are venturing into government jobs and businesses all over the country, and also overseas.

[edit] Language & Culture

The Rungs communicate among themselves in the local language RungLo. The language still continues to exist despite the fact that it has no written script. It's probably one of the few languages that continues to thrive without a written script. However, analyzing the fact that now-a-days most of the youth of the town are looking for employment opportunities in the outside world and thus using less of RungLo, the day is not far when RungLo too will fall in the category of moribund languages. Apart than RungLo, the local population is quite well versed in Hindi, Nepali and English.

The Rungs celebrate all of their festivals & important occasions with great zeal and enthusiasm. The celebrations are marked with the presence of dance, baira(songs) and satani (a locally prepared wine).

Like most other ethnic groups, Rungs also have their traditional wear; which is addressed as Chungbala and Chunga. Byanthalo (the turban) is also a part of the men's wear. Big silver necklaces, nose and ear rings constitute the jewelery of women here. The use of the traditional wear is now-a-days restricted to only important occasions and big celebrations. More about it can be found out at their site www.rungmung.net/NauksumV2. However, it is far from reality to simply assume that the people here are not fashion aware due to the geographical isolation. Everything from Ghagras to Lehngas and Levis Jeans to torn jeans can be seen in the streets here, thanks to the growing commercialization and the small Moti Bazaar (market) of Nepal.

The Rungs worship their local Deities Syangse and Gabla, the different forms of Hindu Gods.

[edit] Flora and fauna

The climatic conditions and the low human interference till date has allowed the green vegetation of this region to thrive. Trees of Oak, Pine, Apple and Deodar can be easily seen here. apart from that, several trees of dry fruits can also be spotted. However, with the increasing global warming, the trees here are now bearing lesser and lesser of fruits year after year.
Wild animals like leopard, bear, fox, monkeys and deers are found in this region. Apart from these, domestic animals like horses, mules and sheep are also found here.

[edit] Important places, landmarks and events

Following places, geographic entities and events are worth a brief mention:

Narayan Ashram: Narayan Ashram^[2] is situated at at an elevation of 2734 mts. above sea level. It can be reached from Pithoragarh via Ogla(44 from Pithoragarh), Jauljibi(77), Dharchula(94), Tawaghat (108). Tawaghat is the place where Dhauliganga and Kaliganga meet.
The ashram was established by Sri Narayan Swami in 1936. It can accommodate at the most 40 persons at a time. During winter season the ashram remains closed due to heavy snowfall. And rainy season may cause damage to the road. Ashram keeps on conducting various social - spiritual activities for the members so the visitors are strictly advised to convey about their plan to the ashram well in advance.

Kailash Mansarovar^[3]: Manasarovar Lake lies at 4,556 m above mean sea level. It is the highest fresh-water lake in the world[1]. Lake Manasarovar is relatively round in shape. The circumference of Manasarovar is 88 km, depth is 90 m and it occupies a total area of 320 km². The lake freezes in winter and melts only in the spring. The Sutlej River, the (Brahmaputra River), the Indus River, and the Karnali River all trace their sources to its close vicinity.
Like Mount Kailash, Lake Mansarovar is a place of pilgrimage, attracting religious people from India, Tibet and the neighboring countries. Bathing in the Manasa Sarovar and drinking its water is believed to cleanse all sins. Pilgrimage tours are organized regularly, especially from India, the most famous of which is the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra which takes place every year. Pilgrims come to take ceremonial bathes in the cleansing waters of the lake.

India-Nepal & India-Sino border: The town is a sensitive area as it shares its borders with both Nepal and China. However, the area has always remained peaceful place and an excellent example of good inter-cultural ties between the nations.

Rivers:
Important Mountain Peaks:
Religious places of worship:

[edit] References