Triund
Place in Himachal Pradesh, India
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Triund is a meadow in the mountains above McLeodganj, in the Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh, India. Triund is located on a spur along the southern aspect of the Dhauladhar range, and is at a height of about 2,800-2,900 m. It is known as a scenic spot, the end point of a popular trek, and a stage in climbing mountains and passes of the Dhauladhar range.
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Triund | |
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 Interactive map of Triund | |
| Coordinates: 32.2496°N 76.3339°E | |
| Country | India |
| State | Himachal Pradesh |
| District | Kangra |
| Elevation | 2,850 m (9,350 ft) |
| Hindi, English | |
| Time zone | UTC+5:30 (IST) |
| Area code | +91-01892 |
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History
Pastoralism
For many generations, Triund has been an important meadow and halting point for Gaddi herders and their flocks of goats and sheep enroute Dhauladhar range's Indrahar pass.[1]
Forest Rest House
The British colonial government first built a forest rest house at Triund over 1899-1900, at the cost of Rs. 980 at that time.[2][3] It was destroyed in the Kangra earthquake of 1905.[4]
The forest rest house had been rebuilt by the 1920s.[5] One website mentions that the rest house at Triund was built in 1913-14, but does not cite any reference.[6] In any case, this rebuilt rest house was again destroyed at some point towards the end of the 1920s - this time by an accidental fire - and was proposed to be replaced by 1930-31.[7]
The first post-Independence mention of the forest rest house at Triund comes from 1951, from an Italian geography research paper on the topography and toponomy of Kangra valley. The paper mentions a 'current building' of the forest rest house at Triund, as well as the perimeter of the older destroyed building a few metres away, without mentioning when the 'current building' was built. [8]
In May 2011, lightening struck the forest rest house at Triund, causing a major fire. At the time, 31 students and their teachers from a school in Punjab were staying at the rest house. They narrowly escaped unscathed.[9]
Trekking and climbing
The British used Triund as a camping spot enroute climbs of the Indrahar pass, Mon Peak, Slab Peak, and other points in the Dhauladhar range.[10][11]
The Triund Trek
Trekkers can walk or drive from McLeodganj to the Galu temple above Dharamkot. From the Galu temple, a well-marked trail leads to the Triund meadow. It passes through a forest of oak and rhododendron. Most of the trail ascends gradually. But the final section before arriving at the Triund meadow is steep, through a number of zigzags. The Triund area is rich in wildlife, including black bear, monal, leopard, and a large variety of birds. Triund provides a panoramic view of the Kangra valley to the south and of the Dhauladhar range to the north. Triund is popular among bird-watchers and star-gazers, and as a scenic day hike.[12]
